ŞIRNEX – Colleagues of journalists Gülistan Tara and Hêro Bahaddîn, who were killed in a Turkish drone attack one year ago, spoke about their legacy. Şoxan Mîrza said: “Gülistan was a teacher for us, a mamoste. Hêro carried the strong side of Free Press. We will continue to grow their struggle legacy.”
On August 23, 2024, Turkish drones attacked near the village of Teperreş in Seyidsadiq district, Silêmanî (Sulaymaniyah), in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq’s Federated Kurdistan. Journalists Gülistan Tara and Hêro Bahaddîn were killed in the attack. Free Press and international organizations held Turkey responsible for the deaths, but Turkey has not responded or opened an investigation.
On the anniversary of their deaths, Şoxan Mîrza, a colleague of the journalists, shared insights about their contributions.
‘GULISTAN WAS A PIONEERING WOMAN’
Şoxan Mîrza highlighted that Gülistan Tara had been continuously involved in Free Press for over 20 years. “Gülistan was a pioneering woman and a revolutionary journalist who fought for women’s freedom in the press. She sowed the seeds of freedom at every step and created new paths and comrades. Her relationship with people was based on comradeship, not only defending ideological lines but living them. She was a determined woman who dedicated her life to Free Press,” said Şoxan Mîrza. She also emphasized Gülistan’s focus on empowering women, organizing them, and encouraging resistance against attacks.
‘HÊRO WAS A DETERMINED JOURNALIST’
Regarding Hêro Bahaddîn, Şoxan Mîrza said: “Although she worked in technical roles, she never limited herself to them. She was determined and had a strong women’s perspective. She constantly sought ways to train her friends and participate more in the struggle. While Gülistan was our teacher, Hêro represented Free Press’s unseen but powerful side. Their joint efforts greatly contributed to Free Press in the Federated Kurdistan Region.”
‘THE AIM WAS TO SILENCE FREE PRESS’
Şoxan Mîrza explained that the attack on the two journalists was intended as intimidation against Free Press, a collective effort where decisions are made and implemented together. “Gülistan and Hêro were key representatives of this collective spirit. Targeting and killing them was an attack to silence free women. But they were mistaken. After their martyrdom, we held tighter to their legacy. We wrote more, spread their message wider, and the struggle grew stronger. Gülistan and Hêro remain a model of resistance for Southern Kurdistan,” she said.
‘WE WILL EXPAND THEIR STRUGGLE LEGACY’
Şoxan Mîrza reflected on the deep bond she shared with both journalists: “As a woman from Başûr (South Kurdistan), meeting martyr Gülistan was one of the best moments of my life, but receiving the news of her martyrdom was the hardest. Losing a comrade you fight alongside every day is unbearable. Their physical absence left a huge void, but their spirits and ideas live on with us. They were not ordinary people; they laid the strong foundation of our education and raised us like mothers with free thought. We will never forget their struggle legacy and will continue to expand it.”
MA / Zeynep Durgut