JINHA

RIHA – The Etmanek village along the border with Kobanê is preparing for a massive celebration. Facilities are now in place for the thousands of guests who will flood the small town in just three days.

In the area around Suruç, where the Newroz fires have already started burning ahead of the March 17celebration, preparations are underway. "Yesterday freedom for Kobanê, today freedom for Öcalan," say those involved in the preparations, for whom the Kurdish New Year will be a time both of celebration of victories won and resistance for victories yet to come.

İbrahim Uğurlu, of the Newroz coordinating committee, says the world's eyes will be on Suruç, with international guests coming to the celebration from around the region and the world. Guests from all four parts of Kurdistan and from the families of internationalist martyrs lost in the struggle for Kobanê will attend the celebration. A team of 300 youth will take care of security at the event.

"We will dedicate this Newroz to the martyrs in the Kobanê resistance," said İbrahim, "from Kader Ortakaya, who knew no borders to the fighter SuphiNejatAğırnaslı to Arîn Mîrxan, who went to her death with bombs strapped to her body, ululating joyfully for her people."

(ekip/mç/fk/cm)