Warşin Avaşin, a martyr who defended her people and country

Warşin Avaşin was very young when she joined the guerrilla from the Kurdish resistance stronghold Amed. She is the 35th martyr of the resistance in Heftanin.

Warşin Avaşin was one of the guerrilla fighters who dedicated their lives to humanity and freedom until their last breath. She was very young when she joined the guerrilla from the Kurdish resistance stronghold Amed.

In an interview before her martyrdom, she had explained how this decision developed for her: "Friends and relatives of mine were joining the guerilla. Some of them have fallen, and this has affected me very much. In addition, the enemy was constantly putting pressure on our folk. The police, the military and politicians were defaming the Kurdish people. In the period between 2013 and 2015, the so-called resolution process, talks took place between Rebêr Apo [Abdullah Ocalan] and his lawyers. In one of these talks he said “Our work is not official, there are no official documents or signatures. If the table is overturned tomorrow, you will all be sentenced.” These words made a big impression on me and I made the decision to join the movement. I joined the guerrilla in 2014.”

I have known Warşin since her first day with the guerrillas. In 2015 she was sent into the military sector. She took part in the work with all her heart and she was very attentive. Although she was so young, she showed maturity and impressed us all with her enthusiasm, energy and smile. She was very active and could not keep still. She developed fluently and took responsibility in life.

On April 20, 2019 we set off together. One day later we parted ways. It was not until March 2020 that we met again in Heftanin. She had retained her vitality and continued her education. Now she participated in everything even more consciously. She had also grown a little. Her dream was to meet Abdullah Ocalan and fight in Amed as a guerrilla.

In the night of June 16-17, the fascist Turkish state started the occupation operation in Heftanin. The invasion was mainly based on technological means. The vanguards were counter-guerrillas, jihadists and village guards. The regular soldiers did not have the courage to fight against the guerrillas.

At the beginning of the operation Warşin and Zeryan, both still very young women, fought for three days with a heavy machine gun (DShK) on Hill Şehîd Berivan against the enemy. Later they resisted on Hill Şehîd Dersim. When heval (comrade) Zeryan fell on June 25, Warşin swore revenge.

She went to the front before anyone else. To defend her people and her country, she selflessly challenged all difficulties. The last time we saw each other was on June 27 in Pirbula and said goodbye to each other. Before we parted, she gave me her diary. She said I should fill in the blank pages. Only two days before her death, on August 6, 2020, I wrote down what was going through my mind. How could I have ever known that it was our last farewell, that she would fall two days later and that I would write this text two days after her death.

It is said that people sometimes guess what is going to happen. When Heval Warşin gave me her notebook, she said: "Read my diary. Maybe the organization will be able to fulfill the wishes I wrote down."

I heard the painful news of her death over the radio. It was the 53rd day of the operation, August 8, 2020, just before the anniversary of the beginning of the armed struggle on August 15, 1984. The place was Heftanin, the Pirbula area.

As usual, the enemy forces led by traitors had infiltrated the area where the friends were staying. Warşin initially countered the traitors alone and fought heroically. She fought until her companions gathered together. Then she walked upright to the martyrs of the resistance of Heftanin. She became the 35th martyr in Heftanin.

If I were to claim that Warşin’s death did not shake me, I would deny my feelings. She was so young when she came to us. She grew up and developed at our side. She gained experiences. Her hopes, dreams and goals were big and strong. She showed a lot of commitment to reach her goals. She did not recognize obstacles. She was an exemplary militant who was committed to revolutionary principles. She was a modest, lovable, selfless and diligent companion. With her sincerity, love and respect for her friends, she was loved and respected everywhere. She conquered the hearts of her companions.

No matter how much I write about this young and beautiful friend, it does not seem enough. She took on difficult and important tasks. Instead of a long but meaningless life, she preferred a short life of great importance, leaving traces in history and dedicated to her people and country. We will miss her.

If it is possible for them, they should feel ashamed; the traitors and collaborators who are ingratiating themselves with the Turkish state. Our martyrs show us the way. We have the task to realize their goals and hopes.