JINHA

RIHA – Hundreds of people marching from Urfa to jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's native village to celebrate his birthday reached the town of Birecik to a warm welcome yesterday.

They have been marching through the foothills of Mt. Arat for the last three days. When they reached the outskirts of Birecik, drivers started honking their horns and waving victory signs, forming a spontaneous procession that escorted the marchers to the town center. There, the flood of marchers shut down traffic. Local shopkeepers closed their shops to join the event.

Citizens shouted slogans wishing a happy birthday to Öcalan and demanding his freedom, as well as the famous slogan "no life without the leader." The marchers took a route along the banks of the Euphrates, leaving flowers in its water. They stopped by the river briefly to dance traditional dances.

The marchers spent last night in the Bağlarbaşı Neighborhood on the outskirts of the town.

(şg/mg/cm)