JINHA

MÊRDÎN – Marchers setting out from the Cizre region of Kurdistan to demand freedom for Abdullah Öcalan have now reached Nusaybin, where tens of thousands greeted their arrival.

The marchers, calling for freedom for jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, plan to celebrate Newroz (Kurdish New Year) in the city of Diyarbakır, now several hundred kilometers away. After setting out at first light today to march 40 kilometers across the province of Mardin in the pouring rain, the marchers made a joyous entrance into Nusaybin.

Tens of thousands joined the marchers in the city's Newroz celebration area in the March 8 neighborhood. 200 marchers from Nusaybin, Midyat and Kerboran will join the march as it leaves behind Nusaybin today on the road to Diyarbakır.

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