Ş. Amed Kobanê – Ş. Firaz Kardo – Ş. Ciwan Firat

Today we want to remember our Martyrs of the month of August. Ş. Ciwan Firat , Ş. Firaz Kardo and Ş. Amed Kobanê – all three fell during the operation to liberate Minbic and symbolize the tenderness, courage and dignity of internationalism. It was only this internationalist spirit of uniting local people and the world that could create the tremendous strength needed to win the difficult battle for Minbic.

As a young boy, Ş. Ciwan Firat was already attuned to the suffering of others. At the age of 12 he began to refuse Christmas presents, instead asking his parents to give money to a charity in Darfur, Sudan, which provided care for orphaned children. In the USA he was a committed anarchist and anti-authoritarian who loved punk rock. He was familiar with the plight of the Kurdish people and their struggle for freedom. In 2015 he decided to join the fight against Daesh and support the revolutionary movement that was determined to build a new society in the face of this fascist threat.

Heval Ciwan was not content to sit back and watch the fight in Syria unfold. “I’ve always believed people should do something with their lives, instead of just sitting around and going to work, punching in the nine-to-five,” he said in a video interview. “I came out here because I believe in revolution, I believe in the rights of the people and I believe the Kurds do this well. If I believe I can make a difference, any difference at all – [a] small difference – [if] I can help somebody, a people anywhere… I would like to, and I think I found it here.”

Born in Cairo, Egypt in 1958, Ş. Firaz Kardo was a Kurd whose family roots lay in Başûr (Iraqi Kurdistan). He lived with his family in Cairo until he was 18, after this he moved to Iraq. His father was killed for his opposition to the regime of Saddam Hussein, and this led the young Badin to also fight against the Ba’athist government during the 1980’s. After the Iraq War, he migrated to Europe. He later settled in Sweden, where he lived in both Stockholm and Malmö. A dedicated lifelong socialist, he was active in antifascist struggle in his new home in Sweden. As well as this, he was a working man with a family. He had a wife and two children in his new home in Malmo. Although he was always attentive to the Kurdish Freedom Struggle, the brutal slaughter being carried out by Daesh, as well as the unfolding social and political revolution in Rojava, captivated him in a way that he could not ignore. At the age of 58, Şehîd Firaz decided to leave behind his life in Sweden and commit himself to the battle against fascism and for human freedom.

In an interview Heval Firaz said: “To save the land from ISIS gangs I urge all Kurds in Europe to try to return to Rojava to support the country, to defend yourself and your country against Daesh and the Turkish attacks. If we do not do it, who will? To come from all states and be martyred here, it is our duty. Everyone should support this fight – by supporting the struggle here you are not just supporting Rojava, but supporting humanity. To achieve our freedom we must do this work with our own hands.”

Born in Maryland, USA, Ş. Amed Kobanê worked as a cook in a restaurant in Raleigh, North Carolina before he came to Rojava. Şehîd Amed Kobanê first joined the Rojava revolution in January 2015. “He was fearless,” said his father Reginald. “He wanted to help the Kurds.” His mother had volunteered medical assistance during the Vietnam war. “William got his character of helping others from his mother,” reflected his father.

“The solution to the current situation will take time and I have been here for a long time, there have been difficulties in terms of war and life but it is still a great experience for me. I will continue to help wherever I can,” he stated in an interview. Heval Amed was determined to fight on the frontline of the Minbic operation, where he fought bravely and with distinction. Şehîd Amed was martyred on 10 August 2016 during contact with ISIS fighters on the Minbic front. He fought in Minbic with unwaving determination to liberate the people from the cruelty of Daesh. Owing to the sacrifice of Şehîd Amed and hundreds of other martyred fighters, the YPG declared victory in Minbic city on 12 August, two days after his martyrdom.

With their courage, determination and humanity, Ş. Ciwan, Ş. Firaz and Ş. Amed made a crucial contribution to the liberation of Minbic. They rest in peace in the hearts of the people of Rojava, who will never forget them.

ŞEHÎD NAMIRIN!