Raqqa — The participants in the march affirmed their commitment to continue the struggle until achieving the physical freedom of Leader Abdullah Öcalan, emphasizing the vital role of young women in confronting violence and defending the values of coexistence and peace with unyielding will.

On Wednesday, October 15, a mass demonstration took place across the regions of Deir ez-Zor, Raqqa, and Tabqa, organized by the Young Women’s Union under the slogan “We Will Gather.” The march embodied the unity of hearts before steps, united around a core demand — freedom for Leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is regarded as a symbol of free thought and democratic philosophy.

This demonstration reflected the peoples’ deep commitment to the values of peace and equality, and their firm rejection of all forms of injustice against the man who dedicated his life to spreading the culture of coexistence. It was more than a march — it was a cry of awareness, expressing a collective will to break chains and usher in a new dawn of freedom and justice for all peoples.

Selma Mousa, speaking on behalf of the Young Women’s Union, stated that the states which conspired to abduct and isolate Leader Abdullah Öcalan for over 27 years aimed to silence his voice and prevent the spread of his message of peace. She added that the Middle East — particularly Syria — has been suffering from relentless conflict for more than 14 years, saying, “The recent crimes and violations targeting the Alawite and Druze communities have reached the level of genocide.”

She stressed the necessity of unity among all communities, saying:
“We must stand together, hand in hand, to tell Leader Abdullah Öcalan that we will struggle and resist until his physical freedom is achieved. He is the maker of peace — that is why we gather today to express our full support for him under all circumstances. Those who sought to kidnap and isolate him wanted to conceal his peaceful philosophy from the world.”

She further emphasized that women — especially young women — would not remain silent in the face of violence and bloodshed:
“As young women with unwavering determination, we will continue to follow the path laid out by Leader Öcalan — the path of freedom. We will raise our voices high against oppression and domination and intensify our struggle until we achieve our dream of building a free Syria led by the will of free women.”

On the sidelines of the march, Noor Mohammed, an administrator in the Young Women’s Union in Deir ez-Zor, declared:
“Women, especially young women, will not stand idly by in the face of violence and murder. We say no to oppression, no to bloodshed, and yes to peace — guided by the spirit of women’s free will.”

She underlined that the youth, as described by Leader Öcalan, represent the voice and image of society, and will continue the struggle until his physical freedom is achieved, in loyalty to his role in spreading the message of peace and freedom.

She added: “As young women, we carry a strong, unbreakable will. We will walk firmly on the path drawn for us by Leader Abdullah Öcalan, stand with courage, and raise our voices to say no to violence and tyranny, and yes to freedom and dignity. We will continue to intensify our struggle until we fulfill the dream of building a free Syria based on women’s will and active participation in shaping a future of peace and justice.”

For her part, Waheeda Al-Abdullah, a member of the Zenobia Women’s Gathering Council, said: “I participated today in this march to demand the freedom of Leader Öcalan, who has been imprisoned for more than 27 years in an attempt to silence his universal and free ideology — but that conspiracy failed. His thought is still alive, surpassing walls and borders.”

She affirmed their determination to continue organizing protests and issuing statements demanding his freedom, concluding: “We will remain steadfast on this path until our last drop of blood. We assure you, Leader Öcalan, that we are with you and beside you — for you are the one who liberated us.”