Macid Kawiyan known by his nickname as Simko Serhildan was the second-in-command of the East Kurdistan Forces (HRK), leading the guerrilla forces amid the offensives launched by Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) on Qendil Mountains in summer 2011.
Macid Kawiyan was born in Bane city of East Kurdistan. Similar to many Kurdish youth he became connected to Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in 1999 following the international conspiracy against the Kurds which led to the abduction of Kurdish national leader Abdullah Ocalan.
After four years of clandestine work in Bane he leaves his home town along with his friends to join the guerrilla forces of the PKK. Completing his ideological, political and military trainings, Simko Serhildan sets out to carry out his historical missions in Botan, Dersim and other parts of North Kurdistan fighting the colonial army of Turkey.
Displaying his outstanding ability in guerrilla struggle he became a great commander and led the first guerrilla units to the Black Sea. Consequently he came back to Qendil Mountains where he joined the guerrillas of Kurdistan’s Free Life Party (PJAK), struggling against the colonial rule of Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched a large scale offensive on the positions of Kurdish guerrillas in Qendil Mountains last summer in an attempt to drive PJAK guerrillas out of Qendil and dominate the entire region. The IRGC military operations were met with historic resistance of Kurdish guerrillas directed by commander Simko.
Commander Simko, who had the experiences of struggling against one of the most powerful armies and a NATO member, had a substantial role in Qendil resistance which led to defeat of IRGC and its consequent retreat from the battle field.
In the battle of 2011 which come to be known as the Epic of Qendil hundreds of Revolution Guards were killed and many others wounded. Nineteen Kurdish guerrillas also lost their lives one of whom was the commander Simko.
Simko Serhildan was one of the great commanders of Kurdish resistance against colonialism that the history of exploited people shall always remember, honour and venerate. As long as heroes such as him appear in the history, colonialism and exploitation are destined to fail.
