IRPGF Eulogy for Şehîd Ulaş Bayraktaroğlu (Mehmet Kurnaz)

On May 9^th 2017, DKP leader and BÖG commander Ulaş Bayraktaroğlu (Mehmet Kurnaz) was martyred on the Raqqa front fighting against the fascism and religious totalitarianism of Daesh (ISIS). Ş-Ulaş was an extremely intelligent, talented and experienced commander who led BÖG and various other armed groups to victory both on the battlefield in Rojava and beyond. His leadership was critical during the Gezi Park riots as comrades he led helped defend the protesters and masses while increasing the response to the states repression and the growing fascism of the AKP-MHP alliance under the tyranny of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. He is famously depicted throwing a molotov at Turkish police during the riots. As the leader of the Revolutionary Communard Party (DKP) he joined the alliance of antifascist communist and socialist groups along with the PKK to form the Peoples’ United Revolutionary Movement (HBDH) to further the struggle against the fascist Turkish state and its gangsters.

For the International Revolutionary People’s Guerrilla Forces (IRPGF), Ş-Ulaş was a dear friend and supporter of our collective. His non-sectarian approach opened the door to joint training and operations in the struggle against capitalist, fascist and imperialist forces in the region. IRPGF members were present in operations with him on the Raqqa front with the International Freedom Battalion (IFB) where they met with Ş-Ulaş just hours before his martyrdom. For us, this loss is enormous and as a tribute we actively participated in the funeral ceremony and had the honor to help carry Ş-Ulaş to his final resting place at Şehîd Xebat martyrs cemetery in Dêrik. Ş-Ulaş is immortal and his works have helped advance the revolutionary movement both in Turkey and Kurdistan. While his loss has saddened us all, we are reassured by the fact that behind Ş-Ulaş are millions who will pick up his rifle and continue the struggle for a liberated world. Ş-Ulaş was always positive and his confidence was embodied in his often repeated phrase, “we will win!”

The IRPGF echoes this and will fight even harder to avenge him and all the martyrs who have fallen for the cause. Şehîd Ulaş lives and is present with us forever!

ŞEHÎD NAMIRIN! ŞEHÎD NAMIRIN! ŞEHÎD NAMIRIN!

GLORY AND HONOR TO ALL THE REVOLUTIONARY MARTYRS OF ROJAVA!

VICTORY TO THE REVOLUTION IN TURKEY AND KURDISTAN!