Celebrations to mark the twelfth anniversary of the Rojava revolution continue. The Rojava Cultural Association in Switzerland organised a celebration in Kloten in the canton of Zurich. The celebration was attended by many political representatives from Kurdish institutions and parties, as well as many other people.

After a minute's silence at the opening, Ali Omer, co-chair of the Rojava Cultural Association, said: “The Rojava revolution is the revolution of peoples and women. I congratulate the YPJ, YPG and SDF that have shaped this revolution. I congratulate the peoples behind this revolution. Thousands of young people have given their lives for this revolution. We thank our martyrs for this revolution. We thank our wounded, the mothers and fathers of the martyrs and all the peoples. We thank Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan], the architect of this revolution, who continues to be held under the most severe solitary confinement."

Musa Farısoğulları, member of the Co-Presidency Council of the Congress of Democratic Societies of Kurdistan in Europe (KCDK-E), warned about the threat to Rojava and the whole of Kurdistan due to the attacks, but also the betrayal: “Today, a relentless struggle is being waged to protect Kurdish achievements in order to keep the Kurdish identity alive. All the invaders, especially the Turkish state, are joining forces and want to destroy us. All regions in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) are under attack by the invading forces. In all parts of Kurdistan, the betrayal is well advanced. The Turkish state alone could never have penetrated the mountains of Kurdistan. But traitors protect the invading forces and show them the way. The political parties and institutions in the four parts of Kurdistan must defend themselves against this occupation.”

PYD (Democratic Union Party) Foreign Relations Committee Member Fuad Omer Relations then took the floor and said: “It is everyone's duty to defend this revolution, which began on 19 July in Kobanê and spread throughout northern and eastern Syria. The PYD led this revolution. But the revolution was carried out by the people. Not everything is a bed of roses. We have and will have flaws and shortcomings, but everyone should see themselves as owners of this revolution and take responsibility accordingly. We are now on the 101st anniversary of the Treaty of Lausanne. It is possible to nullify the treaty by defeating the Turkish state in South Kurdistan. We must fight against the occupying Turkish state in every field. Only in this way can we defend the Rojava Revolution. As PYD, we pioneered this revolution. We have and will have shortcomings. Even if a single 10-year-old child remains and says, ‘I am the PYD’, our struggle will continue."

Further speeches were followed by a concert by the Kurdish artist Kawa Urmiye. The event continued late into the evening with dancing and singing.