The vigil launched at the Qamishlo border in the Nîsebîn (Nusaybin) district of Mêrdîn (Mardin) against the ongoing attacks of Turkey and the Syrian National Army (SNA), which is guided by Turkey, against Auronomous Administration of North and East Syria continues on its 28th day. 

 

Hasibe Mengirkaon, 60, a member of the Mêrdîn Peace Mothers' Assembly and a dengbêj (Kurdish singer), is one of the participants of the demonstration on the Nisêbîn-Qamishlo border. Hasibe Mengirkaon sets out every day from the rural neighbourhood of Xirbê Kablo in the Artuklu district of Mêrdîn to take part in the demonstration on the Nisêbîn-Qamishlo border. On 12 December, Hasibe Mengirkaon participated in the protests from the very first day, and at the age of 25 she became involved in the Kurdish freedom struggle, where she also served as provincial co-chair in different periods.

 

IMPRISONED 4 TIMES, SHE BECAME THE SYMBOL OF RESISTANCE  

 

In 2004, Hasibe Memngirkaon was imprisoned twice, for 3 months each. In 2016 and 2019, Hasibe Mengirkaon was imprisoned for 1 year each and many lawsuits were filed against her for "being member for a terrorist organization". In 2014, during the ISIS attacks on Kobanê, she took part in the vigil protests that started at the Pirsûs (Suruç) border of Riha (Urfa). She became one of the international symbols of the resistance with her photograph taken in front of the TOMA spraying water cannons during the police attack on the vigil in Pirsûs. 

 

11 years later, Hasibe Mengirkaon, who took part in the vigil at the Nisêbîn-Qamishlo border at a time when the attacks against Kobanê were on the agenda, pointed out that today, with the same spirit, it is necessary to fight against the attacks against North and East Syria. Hasibe Mengirkaon stated that the judgements against her were made not according to the law, but according to the interests of the Turkish state.

 

'OUR PARADIGM IS THE HUMANITY MOVEMENT'

 

Hasibe Mengirkaon, who stated that they wanted the attacks to stop with the watch actions at the border, said: "We are citizens of this country and this country is ours. However, the biggest enmity is against us. They attack Rojava and arrest our politicians. Therefore, enough is enough. For 50 years this war has been going on. If you could finish the Kurds, you would have done it by now. But you cannot finish the Kurds. Because the Kurds have the spirit of freedom struggle and this spirit grew out of the search for freedom. The Kurds had a great opportunity with the fall of Assad. The paradigm put forward by our movement and our party is a move for humanity in the world and the Middle East. It includes all beliefs, languages, religions and all differences within itself."

 

Hasibe Mengirkaon pointed out that the rulers of Turkey should be sincere in their talks with PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and said, "Our identity should be recognised in their constitution. My other call is to the ENKS and other forces in Rojava for the unity of the Kurds; Come to your senses, Kurds have never lost in war. They have always lost either through betrayal or at the table. If you want to take part in this organization, whatever your opinion, do not harm Kurdish interests."

 

In 2014, Hasibe Mengirkaon reminded that the spirit of resistance put forward by the Kurds during the vigil on the Kobanê border and the Kobanê protests was important and said, "There was an atrocity in Rojava at that time. People mobilised in an organized way. We need the same spirit today. The status of all of us, especially Rojava, is under threat. Today we should not be satisfied with international support. Kurds need to protect themselves, Rojava and the status there, their identity and language. An organized stance is required."

 

Hasibe Mengirkaon, pointing to the situation in which the ENKS and its derivative parties are in, said: "Don't they ever read history? Don't they see? Kurds have always been unable to gain power because of betrayals. Let them shake themselves up a little! They say 'let the Apoist movement get out of here'. Who are you? If you are coming to the national line, come, and if not, don't obstruct this line. Turn your direction towards the democratic direction. Continue your struggle and do not leave your people alone. Kurds must wake up and play their role actively."

 

MA / Ahmet Kanbal - Ömer Güngör