May 6th Martyrs, source of inspiration for defeating takfiri terrorism

Syrian people nationwide mark today the anniversary of Martyrs Day inspiring the heroic deeds of their fathers and forefathers to defeat takfiri terrorism which has plagued the country over the past three years in implementation of the Zionist project against Syria and the region as a whole. The Martyrs’ Day is commemorated in Syria this year at a time when the Syrian Army offered great sacrifices to defend the homeland in confrontation of the global conspiracy which aims to undermine the axis of resistance led by Syria and create sectarian war that devastates the whole region and achieves the interests of neo-colonialism. The conspiracy hatched against Syria has made all people aware of the great sacrifices of the martyrs.

This anniversary comes at a time when Syria is offering scores of martyrs in defence of the homeland, its independence and dignity. This day commemorates the hanging of leading 
intellectual, political and cultural figures in Damascus and Beirut at the hands of Ottoman despot Jamal Pasha, who attempted to stifle the 
fire of revolution and freedom in Syrians. Just like Jamal Pasha set up gallows for  the intellectuals of Syria in the past, Takfiri terrorists and their 
sponsors in the region and the west are now targeting scientists, religious figures, places of worship and universities, continuing the 
dark and criminal legacy of Jamal Pasha and French General Gouraud. Following 
in the footsteps of the May 6th martyrs and those who came before and after them, Syrians will continue to confront the terrorism and aggression targeting the homeland, building a stronger Syria through eliminating terrorism and rebuilding the national infrastructure which was destroyed by the terrorists supported by the US, its Western allies and regional and Arab tools.

The story of the Martyrs Day dates back to the beginning of the 20th century when Arab political figures and intellectuals started speaking of Arab nationalism. The Arabs’ demands were of a reformist nature, limited in general to autonomy, use of Arabic in education, and changes in conscription in the Ottoman Empire in peacetime for Arab conscripts that allowed local service in the Ottoman army. Various public or secret societies such as the Beirut Reform Society led by Salim Ali Salam, 1912, the Ottoman Administrative Decentralization Party, 1912, al-Qahtaniyya, 1909, al-Fatat, 1911; and al-Ahd, 1912) were formed to advance demands ranging from autonomy to independence for the Arab provinces. The Arab calls for independence reached peak with the holding of Arab Conference at Paris under the leadership of intellectual Abdul Hamid al-Zahrawi. They produced a set of demands for greater autonomy within the Ottoman Empire. They again demanded that Arab conscripts to the Ottoman army should not be required to serve in other regions except in time of war. However, the Ottoman authorities launched a wide scale arrest campaign against Arab intellectuals and people turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to the Arab legitimate demands.

On May 6, 1916, Jamal Pasha publicly executed twenty-one Arab intellectuals and politicians simultaneously in Damascus and Beirut for alleged anti-Ottoman activities. The date, May 6, is commemorated annually in both countries as Martyrs’ Day. Since then, Al-Marja Square began to be known as Martyrs Square in memory of martyrs who are the noblest of mankind and the most generous people. Jamal Pasha’s oppression did not force the Arab people to halt their unabated resistance to the Ottomans and they pressed ahead with their struggle until they forced the Ottomans out of their homeland ending a four century occupation. However, the Arabs fell under a new conspiracy represented by the ill-famed Sykes-Picot Accord which divided the Arab countries between Britain and France as if they were their inheritance. Once again, the Arab people started a relentless struggle until they won independence.

Syria today is more determined to eradicate terrorism. Syrian people take pride in the martyrdom of their sons, because martyrdom is the only way to protect the dignity and unity of the homeland. Our martyrs, who offered their lives for the sake of their people and homeland, have been the torch guiding the way for successive generations to continue struggle against colonialist forces.

Martyrs Day is an occasion to renew our adherence to our homeland and unwavering principles in confrontation of all challenges and conspiracies.

K.Q.