The vigil started at the Qamîshlo border in Nîsebîn (Nusaybin) district of Mêrdîn against the attacks of Turkey and the Syrian National Army (SnA) against North and East Syria continued on its 22nd day. The mass gathered at the vigil starting from the morning hours and chanted "Bijî Berxwedana Rojava (Long live resistance of Rojava)" and "Jin, jiyan, azadî (Woman, life, freedom)" slogans.

 

The crowd, including Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Mêrdîn MP Kamuran Tanhan, explained their aims to those who supported them during the protest and made evaluations on the agenda. A statement was then made at the protest site.

 

'DAY OF PEACE AND DEMOCRACY'

 

Kamuran Tanhan of DEM Party drew attention to the meeting of the DEM Party İmralı Delegation with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan on 28 December and said, "Just as the 61-year Assad regime collapsed, all systems will collapse. We want peace, not war. Mr Öcalan has been expressing his demand for peace since 93. If you are sincere, you will give voice to Mr Öcalan's peace proposal and will for a solution. Today is the day of democracy and peace. Even if 100 years pass, democracy will come to these lands and Kurds will live freely."

 

'NO TIME TO LOSE' 

 

Emphasising that the struggle will continue under all circumstances and conditions, Tanhan said, "However, we have no time to lose. Let's ensure lasting peace together as soon as possible. Our resistance that started from Sheikh Sait continues. You have tried to make us forget our language, culture and identity, but the Kurdish people have not forgotten their language, identity or culture. Let us unite in the four parts of Kurdistan and defend Kurdistan together. No tribe and family is bigger than the Kurdish people."

 

The demonstration ended with the slogan "Bîjî berxwedana Rojava" after the speech.