RIHA – The family of Metin Arslan, also known as Koçero Urfa, commemorated his life following confirmation of his death in a 2019 airstrike. His siblings Yasin and Rabia Arslan spoke of his unwavering dedication to the Kurdish freedom struggle, describing him as a symbol of resilience and commitment.
People’s Defence Forces (Hêzên Parastina Gel-HPG) announced on August 11 that Metin Arslan, a member of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) Central Committee, was killed in an airstrike on November 4, 2019. Following the announcement, a condolence ceremony was held in his hometown, the Amara neighborhood of Xelfetî (Halfeti) district in Riha (Urfa).
ROOTED IN STRUGGLE AND SACRIFICE
Born in March 1968 in Dîlok’s Belqis (Nizip) district, where his family had moved for work, Arslan grew up in a working-class household. Supporting his family through various jobs, he completed his primary and secondary education locally and later gained admission to Dokuz Eylül University’s Economics-Finance department in 1988.
A turning point came in 1991 when his younger brother Ercan drowned while the family was in Adana harvesting cotton to support Arslan’s education. The family’s economic hardship deeply affected him, ultimately motivating him to join the Kurdish freedom movement before completing university.
INSPIRED BY ÖCALAN’S STRUGGLE
During his university years, Arslan was active in Komalên Ciwan youth activities and later joined the PKK with several friends. He adopted the name “Koçero,” after his father’s nickname, and saw Abdullah Öcalan—his cousin and the Kurdish People’s Leader—as his main source of inspiration. His father, who longed for his son for years, passed away in 2005 without seeing him again.
‘HE DEVOTED EVERY MOMENT TO THE CAUSE’
At the condolence gathering in Amara, his brother Yasin Arslan said: “From a young age, my brother connected his life to struggle. Every action, every thought of his added something new to us. Until we heard of his martyrdom, we always waited with hope.”
Yasin described him as progressive and deeply influenced by Öcalan’s philosophy: “He was intellectual, always thinking ahead. He found deep meanings in simple words, was emotional yet constructive, and never harmed any living being.”
‘WE ARE PROUD OF HIM ONCE AGAIN’
Rabia Arslan, 54, recalled her brother’s early years: “We used to go to the village together. He was strong, kind-hearted, and honorable. No one ever had a bad word to say about him. We are proud of him once again.”
MA / Ceylan Şahinli