Civîn Girbawî-Bêrîtan Can/JINHA

QAMIŞLO – Rojava women commemorated Gülnaz Karataş (nom de guerre Bêrîtan Hêvi), one of the PKK commanders, who threw herself off a mountain cliff to avoid being taken hostage in a clash broke out in the Xakurkê area in South Kurdistan, on the 24th death anniversary. Rojava women said they would follow in Bêrîtan’s tracks and make her resistance known to the world.

One of the PKK commanders Gülnaz Karataş (Bêrîtan Hêvi) lost her life on October 25, 1992, in a war carried out by Turkish state and affiliate forces. She was a unique example of rebellion against all sovereign powers, occupation and massacre. She became the name of new life in the contemporized Kurdistan by raising the struggle and following in Zarife and Besê, who resisted in Dersim massacre, footsteps. Bêrîtan protected her team by fighting and provided her team to withdraw. Bêrîtan, who fought to the last bullet, wounded in cheek, arm and chest and threw herself off Lelikan cliff in Xakûrkê region to avoid being taken hostage by Peshmerga. Bêrîtan has become a legend for the people in Kurdistan. Poems and songs are written for her. This action caused a fear in the reactionary forces and then this fear become admiration. The PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan called Bêrîtan as “Bêrîtan is Jeanne d'Arca.” Rojava women build new life by taking Bêrîtan’s life, struggle and deremination as an example.

‘We follow in Bêrîtan’s tracks’

Qamişlo Women’s Asayish member Hêlîn Îsmaîl Ferho said, “Bêrîtan left us a great legacy. She fought until her bullets ended and she threw herself off a mountain cliff to avoid being taken hostage. As Rojava women, we follow in Bêrîtan’s tracks. Bêrîtan and Zilan cleared the way for us and taught us this way is right and truth and to follow it. Kurdish women become a model in the world due to their struggle. Today, our work and responsibility are heavier as women. We are responsible to protect and organize our people. As women’s asayish, we are responsible to protect women.”

‘Let’s make her resistance known to the world’

Hebûn Omer of Ronahî TV said the struggle of Bêrîtan has a great and historic place in the Kurdish freedom struggle and continued: “She destroyed the betrayal and surrender. She took a stand againstThe KDP (The Kurdistan Democratic Party- PDK) and YNK (Patriotic Union of Kurdistan). She taught how to resist against betrayal and surrender. Heval (friend) Bêrîtan is one of the people, who formed the women’s army. Let’s make her resistance known to the world.”

(pk/mg/gd)