In the depths of the mountains of Kurdistan, the voice of the freedom dance rises. The fire of freedom that grows on these lands embraces every color within it. Those gathered around that fire are the walkers of the same cause, the travelers of the same road. This freedom dance in the mountains of Kurdistan transcends all borders and reaches every heart that longs for freedom. Young women and men from many parts of the world join this dance of freedom. Among them is Thomas Johann Spiess, the noble and socialist son of the German people, who gathered with his friends around the fire of freedom. The dance Thomas joined with passion spreads from the steep cliffs of Xakurkê to the entire world.
Thomas Johann Spiess was born in 1996 in the town of Mainburg, Germany, into a liberal family. He grew up in a country dominated by capitalism, but he did not accept this life as a true life. For this reason, at a young age he turned toward socialism. With the curiosity of young people, he constantly researched and sought answers to his questions. Because of this, Thomas attracted the attention of everyone in his student group. Through his social ties, he became one of the most loved and most listened to among them. When he began researching revolutionary leaders who left their mark on history, Thomas first heard about the Freedom Movement. When he began reading the books of President Öcalan, his interest in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) grew, and he was deeply influenced by the Movement. As a result, he decided to embark on a new journey.
Thomas first took part in actions and demonstrations to participate in the struggle for freedom. As he encountered more of the ideas and philosophy of President Öcalan, his faith grew stronger, and he decided to continue his revolutionary path in the free mountains. Although he was part of socialist groups in Germany, he could not find within them the true aim of peoples living freely and equally. This is why the philosophy of President Öcalan drew his attention. He was particularly moved by President Öcalan’s words: “Insistence on socialism is insistence on humanity.” In pursuit of a free and equal life, Thomas joined the guerrilla ranks in 2016. He first went to the Qandil region. In the guerrilla ranks, Thomas took the name Azad Şerger and became an active militant of the socialist struggle.
His journey from Germany to Qandil begins
Azad Şerger received his basic training in the Qandil mountains, where he joined guerrilla practice. He quickly adapted to guerrilla life and embraced living as a socialist. For this reason, he improved himself in many areas. At first, he began learning the dialects of Kurdish, which enriched the dialogues he built with his comrades.
Seeking to experience armed struggle, he wanted to go to the resistance positions, and after completing his training period at the Mazlum Doğan Academy, he moved to the battlefront in Xakurkê. With his active participation, he became part of a mobile unit in Xakurkê. In 2021, during the Turkish state’s invasion attacks on the Medya Defense Zones, guerrilla Azad also took part in the resistance positions and inflicted heavy blows on the invaders. Having joined many actions, Azad Şerger was highly skilled in gaining mastery over the terrain.
The internationalist guerrilla Azad Şerger possessed a democratic and socialist character. He made President Öcalan’s paradigm the foundation of his life. He read all of President Öcalan’s books and embraced the personality of a pioneering militant. In a very short time, he assumed many tasks and responsibilities within the Movement, preparing himself for difficult practices. He never compromised on military discipline, which made him a true pioneer of the freedom struggle.
In the Xakurkê area, he participated in all works and duties with a strong sense of responsibility. Sensitive in his work and serious according to organizational measures, guerrilla Azad became an exemplary militant of the Apoist tradition. The occupation attacks and bombardments targeting the mountains of Kurdistan aroused great anger in the internationalist revolutionary Azad Şerger. At a time when the Turkish state intensified its assaults, the great revolutionary Azad Şerger was engaged in efforts to carry out effective actions to strike heavy blows against the enemy.
He became a symbol of democratic socialism
Guerrilla Azad Şerger, who fought with determination against the invasion attacks, prepared for a major action to avenge his comrades resisting in the tunnels. On June 15, 2023, together with his comrades Asya Kanîreş and Koçer Medya, he carried out an effective action in Xakurkê. With great resolve, they attacked the positions where the occupiers were stationed in the Martyr Heqî and Martyr Kamuran area. During the assault, the occupiers were thrown into confusion and left in clouds of dust and smoke. In this action, 18 occupying soldiers were killed and their positions were destroyed. These three brave guerrillas, the three great heroes of the struggle for freedom, struck fear into the enemy. The internationalist revolutionary Azad Şerger, together with his comrades, cut through the enemy like lightning and successfully completed the operation.
Following this action by the three brave guerrillas, the Turkish army launched massive attacks on the guerrilla positions using every technical capability at its disposal. In a frenzy, they bombarded the entire area. During the withdrawal, guerrilla Azad Şerger and his two comrades became the targets of the Turkish army. As a result of the bombardment, the internationalist fighter Azad Şerger fell martyr together with his comrades Asya Kanîreş and Koçer Medya.
Although their martyrdom was a heavy loss, the action they carried out left a profound mark on the period. Their comrades drew immense strength and experience from both their operation and their sacrifice. They became the heart of their companions, the symbol of democratic socialism. Martyr Azad Şerger followed in the footsteps of many internationalist revolutionaries such as Ronahî, Sara, Nûdem, Şiyar, Bager, Elefterya, and most recently Tîjda Zagros.
Source: ANF News
