Roza Serhed and Rahşan Baran, guerrillas of the Free Women’s Troops (YJA Star), spoke to ANF about the founding of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on 27 November 1978 in the village of Fis in Amed (tr. Diyarbakir) province.
Guerrilla fighter Roza Serhed said that 27 November is an important day for the Kurdish people: “It is important to remember this moment, the time when the founding of the PKK was decided. The date must be written in golden letters in history books. It cannot be described in a few sentences, but for the Kurdish people it was a historic moment. 27 November represents the PKK's perspective on the history of Kurdistan and the history of women. Today is also an important day for the peoples of the world. It was a novelty in Kurdish history. Rêber Apo [Leader Abdullah Öcalan] showed the Kurdish people their reality. The PKK movement has produced something new for our people as well as for people worldwide. It has initiated developments for the values of humanity and uncovered truths about women, peoples, the Middle East and the world that have been hidden for centuries. Rêber Apo has created immeasurable wealth. The PKK was founded as a movement of revenge and comradeship after the assassination of Haki Karer. The whole world knows that the party is a movement of revenge for the Kurdish people and their martyrs. Before, the Kurdish people were unknown; the world didn't even know their name. Today everyone knows about this people and their struggle. I congratulate everyone on this day.”
Rahşan Baran paid tribute to the guerrilla fighters Asya Ali and Rojger Hêlîn, who carried out a self-sacrificial action against an arms company in Ankara on 23 October: “I commemorate them with great respect. The PKK has not only fought for the Kurdish people and achieved great things. It has also had a significant influence on women and peoples around the world. This effect should not only be seen by people worldwide, we ourselves must also recognise it. This applies in particular to the people of Southern Kurdistan (Northern Iraq). They should understand what the PKK has fought for and rise up against the current occupation operation. The Turkish state will give our people nothing. The expansion of the occupation means annihilation and massacre. As women who resist in the mountains, we fight against a dirty mentality. We owe this to our people.”