BEHDINAN – PKK Executive Committee Member Murat Karayılan, who said that working with the AKP-MHP and voting for them during this period would mean cursing oneself, drew attention to the mothers’ words, “Everyone should put their hands on their conscience and vote for themselves,” and said, “Yes, everyone votes for themselves. should give,” he said. Emphasizing that the patriotic people of Kurdistan, democratic circles, Kurdistani and Turkish alliance forces should work, Karayılan said: “Our people are emotional; It is necessary to visit house to house, to visit all the villages. For example, it is necessary to stop by and have a cup of tea, especially those who have voted for the AKP and all sincere Muslims with humanitarian feelings.”
PKK Executive Committee Member Murat Karayılan answered questions on Stêrk TV’s ‘Special Program’. We share the entire interview.
Various events are being held to address the isolation on Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan; most recently, a large march and rally was held in Düsseldorf. How do you evaluate these activities in terms of both breaking the isolation and spreading Abdullah Öcalan’s paradigm?
Our people are in the fields every day. A good rally was held in Düsseldorf last. Again, rallies were held in London and Vienna. I salute all our patriotic people who participated in these actions. It seems that the conspiratorial hegemonic powers and the Turkish state are very afraid of Leader Apo’s ideas and thoughts being heard. Despite so many calls and marches for this, they do not make any relaxation in the isolation, isolation and psychological torture system in Imrali. They do not want Leader Apo’s voice and messages to be heard outside. This is the policy not only of the Turkish state, but also of the conspiratorial forces. The CPT is already putting a curtain on this and legitimizing it. This is a general thing and it seems that; They are very afraid of Leader Apo’s ideas and thoughts.
NOW A UNIVERSAL PARADIGM
Despite all the precautions they take, they cannot prevent Leader Apo’s views and thoughts. Here we look; The philosophy and paradigm that Leader Apo developed with his views and thoughts is followed and discussed by many conscious groups around the world, including professors and university circles. Leader Apo’s system of thought has now become a universal paradigm. Leader Apo went beyond the borders of Kurdistan and the Middle East with this thought and paradigm he developed.
We also saw the last conference held in Hamburg. First of all, I would like to congratulate everyone who contributed to this conference and played a role in its realization. It was really good and valuable work. Despite the German state’s attempt to intervene and prevent it, they creatively identified a different location and ensured a strong participation. The discussions that took place there were very important. As far as we could follow, academics from many parts of the world offered their views on the current situation, again on Leader Apo’s ideas. In fact, one of the participants, a university professor, said in his speech, “I became a student of Abdullah Öcalan in this way”. I mean, people from the other side of the world are saying this.
GREAT PRIDE TO TRANSFORM GLOBAL HOPE
First of all, it is a source of pride for us as Leader Apo’s students and comrades, our entire people, and even all the peoples of the Middle East, that the ideas produced by a person from Kurdistan are being discussed and accepted by scientists around the world in this way. It is a great honor for us that the thoughts of the Kurdish People’s Leader regarding the problems of the world create hope on a global scale. Leader Apo’s paradigm on the basis of democratic modernity and his ideas about the democratic, ecological and women’s liberation revolution create hope in the world.
That’s why they are watching, following, discussing, holding conferences and claiming it. In short, Leader Apo’s views and thoughts are spreading in Latin America, Africa, Europe and Asia, and it is impossible to prevent this. Leader Apo’s ideas are accepted by many around the world today and are a great hope for the peoples of the world who are oppressed in the grip of capitalist modernity.
The developing war based on Zap has completed one year. At the same time, it was announced to the public that the HPG Command Council Meeting was held. What is the importance and reflection of this meeting in such a process?
Yes, exactly one year has passed since the start of the last war process. On April 14, 2022, the enemy started intense air strikes on the relevant areas. Three days after that, that is, on April 17, the ground war started by landing his forces from the air. Now it is exactly one year old and the war is still going on. Probably this is something new in the history of Turkey and Kurdistan. The attacks of the enemy, which he calls ‘operation’, have been continuing for a year without interruption. For example, although we are now at a time when we declare inaction, the enemy is constantly attacking the Çemço and Sîda areas to the east of the Zap and the FM Hill line to the west of the Zap. So why is he attacking? Because there are guerrillas around here and it means they cannot get the guerrilla out of here. The current attacks are proof of this. Now the Turkish state is using heavy weapons every day, It attacks the guerrilla positions with tanks and various weapons, and the resistance still continues there. True, they occupied some areas east of the Zap, but they withdrew because they could not defend the areas they occupied west of the Zap. In this area, they only exist on FM Hill. Of course, FM also has guerrilla positions and they are already close to each other. That’s why they attack every day with tanks and all kinds of weapons.
CAN’T Occupy FOR TWO YEARS
All these are indications of the defeat of the Turkish army. An army that calls itself “NATO’s second greatest power”, despite having the most advanced weapons of its time and using banned weapons such as tactical nuclear bombs and chemicals, and the support of NATO Gladio and some Southern powers, the Turkish state could not get the guerrilla out of these areas. Of course, all of this hasn’t happened just in the last year. For the last year, the war has been going on in the same positions uninterruptedly. Otherwise, as it is known, this war started in 2021. In other words, the Turkish state has been trying to occupy Zap, Avaşîn and Metina for two years, but cannot. I am not stating this as propaganda. These are facts and there is war every day in the areas I have mentioned. They attack every day and their retreats are obvious. Maybe the Turkish state and its friends are preventing these facts from being seen by taking advantage of effective press opportunities, but a state that has all the means and plans to occupy these areas in 2-3 weeks and then move on to Qandil, Shengal and Rojava is locked in the Zap, stuck there and It is a fact that the war is still going on here. Of course, this is no ordinary thing. We have commented on this situation many times.
A NEW DATE IS WRITING
You also mentioned the Command Council Meeting in your question. Yes, it was a very meaningful and important meeting. It took place with a wide participation and evaluated all of this practice we talked about, and also clarified the new year’s planning and listed all of our achievements. Indeed, tactically, the developments created by the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla are beneficial for all humanity. It has proven how human will, creativity and courage can beat the technology of the age. What happens is very meaningful in this context. We may not be able to reflect all of these developments to the public in all their aspects – which is our shortcoming – but the resistance has written a new history.
WE HAVE PAYED THE PRICE OF COURSE
Of course it was not easy. First of all, Leader Apo’s effort and stance play a role here. The sacrifice and resistance of our people has a role. Again, Kurdish politics, which does not surrender and has a stance, and leftist politics from Turkey play a role. In short, our people and our Leadership resisted the genocidal fascist attacks of the Turkish state and undoubtedly the guerrilla developed a historical resistance based on all these. Especially in self-sacrifice, there was a very high level of summit situation. Of course we paid for it. The balance sheet has already been published. In this one year, we lost 259 martyrs in these three areas alone. None of these were ordinary people; they were all Egîds of our time. All our martyrs we gave during this war; To the east of Zap, comrades Bager Gever, Avzem Çiya, Mizgîn Ronahî, Cîger Malazgirt, Rojda Maku, Doğan Jîrkî; Comrades Delîl Zagros, Nalin Fırat, Güven, Zamani, Özgür and Armanc in the west of the Zap; On the Metîna / Hakkari Hill line, I commemorate Nûrî Yekta, Berfîn Rêbaz, Roza and Comrades Physician. Undoubtedly, the Avaşîn resistance is a process in itself. I commemorate all Avaşîn fighters in the person of Helbest Koçerîn and Fedaî Kobanê comrades. Again, as members of the Central Headquarters Mobile Units, I commemorate our heroes who resisted by taking part in attacks in every field, in the person of comrades Mahir Mazlum, Ronahî Devrim, Baran Çirav and Rêzan Amed. All the friends who took part in this resistance wrote a history. We repeat the promise we made to them once again and we say that we will keep their memories alive. This work left by them will have an important role in the future as well as creating an important foundation and a beautiful history for the Kurdish people and the peoples of the region.
A BLACK PERIOD WOULD BEGIN
If this resistance did not exist and the enemy had really defeated the guerrilla, a dark period would have started for the Kurdish people. The enemy wanted to seize all the gains of the Kurdish people. Again, the peoples of the region would enter a dangerous and dark period with the New Ottoman mentality. This resistance prevented them. The AKP-MHP regime also wanted to perpetuate its fascist system with these attacks, but this resistance prevented this as well. Yes, the attacks against our people were very harsh and our people suffered a lot from these attacks. Again, while the enemy lost thousands, we also lost hundreds of martyrs. So who is responsible for this? Tayyip Erdoğan and Devlet Bahçeli are responsible for this.
ERDOĞAN IS LYING, THEY STARTED THE WAR
Tayyip Erdoğan arrived in Amed a few days ago. All of the things he said in Amed are lies. First of all, they started the war. We are still on the line of the Dolmabahçe Agreement. We never broke it. They wanted to perpetuate their power on the basis of the blood of the Kurds. For this, they overturned the table and attacked us. Erdogan turned the facts upside down in Amed, lied. They wanted to liquidate and destroy us. They did not want to ally with the Kurds and accept us. They did not want to accept the identity of the Kurdish people and came upon us. We are resisting it. Our resistance is for our dignity and humanity. To exist as a people; for a free future. Therefore, this resistance is an obligation for us. Them, They attacked us completely arbitrarily in order to maintain their power and to develop their dominance in the region by occupying the National Pact. They are responsible for all the blood spilled for this. They make it look as if we are attacking; this is not true. In this way, for example, they destroyed the Turkish economy, and the peoples of Turkey are both starving and causing the deaths of the children of the peoples. In other words, they are responsible for this, but they did not succeed even though they wanted to end us with such attacks. In this way, for example, they destroyed the Turkish economy, and the peoples of Turkey are both starving and causing the deaths of the children of the peoples. In other words, they are responsible for this, but they did not succeed even though they wanted to end us with such attacks. In this way, for example, they destroyed the Turkish economy, and the peoples of Turkey are both starving and causing the deaths of the children of the peoples. In other words, they are responsible for this, but they did not succeed even though they wanted to end us with such attacks.
During the last war, it was announced that the bodies of many soldiers were in the hands of the guerrilla. The families of these soldiers were also called to come and get the bodies, but as far as we followed, there was no development. What can you state about this?
Right now, the children of the AKP’s leaders, especially Tayyip Erdoğan, are playing with millions of dollars, but the poor children of the Turkish people, by putting a few cents in their pockets, are making them mercenaries and sending them to us. This causes those soldiers to die. They don’t own them either. Most of them do not even reveal their identities. Now friends left some of those corpses in some places for the enemy to come and take them. The Turkish army destroyed some of them by burning anyway. Two more bodies remain. They insult our funerals, but we do not insult funerals like them. We are respectful. We treat a dead person with respect, the way we should. These burials are also protected.
THE FUNERAL OF TWO SOLDIERS HAS BEEN STOPPED
They don’t even claim their own funerals. See; I can’t remember the exact year, but in one of the past years, Israel released and exchanged about 2,000 Palestinian militants and fighters in their dungeons to retrieve two bodies in the hands of Palestinians. Of course, he values his dead soldier. However, even though we say to the Turkish state, ‘Come and get it’, they do not accept it. I would like to reiterate the names of two people we have at the moment:
Mustafa Bazna. Mother: He’s back. Father: Ramadan. From the center of Duzce.
Naci Kaygusuz. Mother: Sengul. Father: Saim. From Eskişehir Tepebaşı.
Impartial civil organizations can come to Amediyê and see us in the countryside. If they come, we can deliver these bodies to them safely. We are passing through blessed days; We are in the Month of Ramadan and the next days are Eid al-Fitr. Therefore, if the families of these soldiers come and contact us through civil organizations, we can deliver these bodies to them. We don’t want anything in return for that. Yes; The Palestinians took 2,000 prisoner fighters in exchange for two funerals, but we are now carrying out this decision as a purely moral and humanitarian duty.
This is the AKP mentality. There is no conscience in it. There are no human feelings. Is there a funeral; burns and leaves. Here he remained in the conflict zone; doesn’t even own it. Is there a prisoner; He does not protect, he executes. In other words, theirs is not a mentality that has a sense of humanity in it. But my call is to the people of Türkiye; You must see this reality.
The AKP-MHP government is intensifying all its propaganda for the upcoming election on the axis of war and your Movement. It considers all its evaluations within this framework. Well, what would you say about the connection of this last one-year war with Turkey’s politics and its effect on politics?
War is a phenomenon that cannot be separated from politics as meaning and practice. War is the continuation of politics. Of course, the Turkish state is waging this war and wants to form its policy accordingly. It has a concept and depends on it. Especially in these last two years, the AKP-MHP government has always planned the war according to its own policies and elections. As known; they first attacked Garê in February 2021. If it is remembered, Tayyip Erdoğan had said before that, ‘I will give good news on Wednesday’. They wanted to disperse and seize the guerrilla’s headquarters by making a surprise attack. They envisioned putting on a show based on the success story they had created for themselves and then holding an early election. For these two years, the AKP-MHP has consistently wanted to achieve a remarkable success against us and to hold early elections by making propaganda for this. They could not find this opportunity, because they could not achieve the success they felt they needed. In this regard, maybe it can be said that their determination was wrong, because they wanted to target the Media Defense Areas; namely Zap, Avaşîn, Metîna, Garê, etc. They wanted to create victory in the fields. They mainly wanted to occupy all strategic places in Southern Kurdistan through these areas. They wanted to go to the early elections by waving their flags here, but they could not achieve this. They made all their plans accordingly for these two years. They were defeated in Garê, they started in Avaşîn and Zap; When they couldn’t get results until the end of the year, they started using some new weapons this time. Undoubtedly, they received NATO approval to use these weapons. They wanted results using tactical nuclear weapons. To defeat the tunnel resistances with this weapon, They calculated to sweep the resistance forces in the field as far as the Hewlêr Plain, Mosul. Their calculations did not work because the methods developed by the guerrilla also rendered their weapons useless. We called our tunnels ‘underground castles’. Each of our tunnels is like a fortress against all kinds of weapons if it is properly prepared and used accordingly. Of course, it’s not just that; The guerrilla, which reorganized itself, did not allow the enemy to get results with the tactics it carried out, the mind it used, its creative approach and the expertise it deepened. Each of our tunnels is like a fortress against all kinds of weapons if it is properly prepared and used accordingly. Of course, it’s not just that; The guerrilla, which reorganized itself, did not allow the enemy to get results with the tactics it carried out, the mind it used, its creative approach and the expertise it deepened. Each of our tunnels is like a fortress against all kinds of weapons if it is properly prepared and used accordingly. Of course, it’s not just that; The guerrilla, which reorganized itself, did not allow the enemy to get results with the tactics it carried out, the mind it used, its creative approach and the expertise it deepened.
WAR IS TOTALLY RELATED TO POLITICS
In short, this developing war is completely connected with politics. Hulusi Akar was leading the war in Zap, but as a whole they expected results from there so that an early election decision could be taken from Ankara immediately. They could not do this; so now they only got it a month early, but mainly it looks like it’s going to the election on time. However, their situation is getting worse and worse. Maybe many circles don’t want to see this, but the reality is; if they had liquidated the guerrilla and the AKP-MHP’s plans had been successful, no one in the Middle East, not only in Turkey, would have been able to speak for them or stand in their way; In Turkey, they would weaken the opposition a lot. For this reason, the resistance of the guerrilla essentially became an obstacle to fascism. Our friend Helin Ümit made some comments on this subject a week ago; “The resistance of the guerrilla is the guarantee of Türkiye’s democracy,” he said. This is a very accurate determination, and current practice has demonstrated it. If the fascism wave developed by the AKP-MHP had defeated the guerrilla and weakened Leader Apo’s stance, then it would have crushed the society, weakened the entire opposition and perpetuated his regime. In this sense, the political side of the war that is being waged and is still being waged is at the forefront and this issue is always on the agenda.
So much so that they want to go to the conclusion of this war in order to turn it into a vote for themselves. They also write a lot of stories for this. “Türkiye is facing a great danger” etc. they say things. Actually, they’re lying. All of these discourses are false scenarios prepared on the table. By putting forward such scenarios, he then said, “We have achieved these successes; We defended Turkey; we prevented its fragmentation; They want to turn it into a political material by saying that we have achieved unity. Their mentality will tear Turkey apart. We want to bring about change in Turkey, democratizing it, allowing Kurds and all peoples to live freely. We desire the voluntary and permanent unity of the Turkish and Kurdish peoples, but they want to turn it into an instrument of war by telling such lies. In other words, they want to perpetuate their power by shedding blood. They want to maintain their fascist rule on the basis of making Kurdish and Turkish sons hurt each other. This is the main aspect of the war waged so far.
There will be an election in Bakure Kurdistan and Turkey. After the parties clarified their candidates, they accelerated their election work. What would you like to point out about the selection process as a whole?
I think we shouldn’t get too delusional in terms of the election process, but the left democratic forces of Turkey and the Kurdish people can strengthen themselves much more in this process. Our people should not expect anything from others, they should trust themselves. There is talk of two strong alliances in Turkey. Commonwealth and Nation alliances. For example, the Nation Alliance, called the Six Tables, has been discussing for a year, and they have prepared many articles and presented their projects; It is said that they explain everything they will do with articles and books that reach a thousand pages, but none of these projects have a Kurdish problem. Just like the Treaty of Lausanne. Of course, Lausanne is also on the agenda, as it is now its centennial. They also had a discussion in Lausanne for nearly a year. Despite the discussions on Kurdistan and the Kurds at the meetings, there is no mention of the Kurds among the documents released. The Kurds are ignored, and then there have already been great tragedies in Kurdistan. All the massacres that have taken place so far have been carried out on that basis. That’s how much the 6th Table discussed, but they do not even talk about the Kurdish problem. However, if someone cannot solve the Kurdish problem, they cannot develop democracy in Turkey. As long as the Turkish state is in a position of war against the Kurdish people, that is, as long as there is no peace, democracy will not develop in Turkey; The Turkish economy will not recover either. However, if someone cannot solve the Kurdish problem, they cannot develop democracy in Turkey. As long as the Turkish state is in a position of war against the Kurdish people, that is, as long as there is no peace, democracy will not develop in Turkey; The Turkish economy will not recover either. However, if someone cannot solve the Kurdish problem, they cannot develop democracy in Turkey. As long as the Turkish state is in a position of war against the Kurdish people, that is, as long as there is no peace, democracy will not develop in Turkey; The Turkish economy will not recover either.
AKP trolls occasionally state that 2.5-3 trillion dollars have been spent on this war so far. In other words, Türkiye spends all its income on the war. So against whom? against the Kurds. What does the Kurd want? Kurds want their natural rights. In other words, just as all peoples in the world have the right to language and self-government, the Kurdish people also want them. They make it look like something that will bring the end of Turkey; He says ‘there are external hands involved’ – which is also a big lie – and deems it right to destroy the operation and death against the Kurds with the scenarios they set up in this way. They want to solve the Kurdish problem with death. They want to destroy the Kurdish cause by killing the Kurdish youth, killing the Kurdish leaders, making the Kurdish people genocide, and keeping the Kurdish People’s Leader under psychological torture. That’s their account. As long as the state does not exceed this mind, Democracy cannot develop in Turkey, and the economy cannot recover either. For this reason, the main issue is the Kurdish issue, but they too (the 6 Tables) have undermined the Kurdish issue.
CONFIDENCE AND WORK MORE
That is why the most important issue here is the self-reinforcing of patriotic-democratic forces. It is important for them to work, grow and bring more people to the Parliament. If these segments strengthen themselves and become more active in Turkish politics, then they can pave the way for many things. For this, they should rely on their own strength without expecting from anyone. For this, our people, democratic circles, Kurdistani and Turkish alliance forces need to work. Of course, rallies and media talks are also necessary, but our people are emotional; It is necessary to visit house to house, to visit all the villages. For example, it is necessary to stop by and have a cup of tea, especially those who have voted for the AKP and all sincere Muslims with humanitarian feelings. Why? Because what the AKP does is neither with humanity nor with Islam, it has nothing to do with the law. Let them starve the whole nation and make our people need a bread and an onion; All Kurds should see the cruelty and unscrupulousness against our people. Every ranger should see this too; Everyone who has sided with the AKP until now should see this. Therefore, our working people should go to these areas; should stop by their house and work on that basis.
VOTING AGAINST THIS IS DISASTER
Indeed, this is an important period. If someone does not take into account such unscrupulousness and injustice and votes for AKP despite him, it will be a disaster for them. In other words, it would be a betrayal by the Kurdish people themselves. For example, how much they insulted the Şenyaşar Family and approached them unjustly in Suruç, Urfa. AKP members did these, and the AKP took care of those who did them. Now, Şenyaşar Family has also been nominated from Urfa, but AKP also made the justice minister a candidate from Urfa. What does it mean? So he says, ‘You say there is injustice, then take it justice for you!’ Again he imposes himself, wants to suppress; He wants to portray injustice as justice. He wants to trample and intimidate our people with the injustice and injustice they show there. This is an example.
Another example is; As you know, they threw two of our people out of the helicopter in Çatak. As a result, Servet Turgut was martyred, and Osman Şiban came back from the dead. Now they sentenced Osman Şiban, who barely escaped that death, to 7 and a half years. How that happens! You shoot, you throw from the helicopter; you also chew on the ground; You have your soldiers lynched and then you punish them too!
SUCH AN INJUSTICE HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN
For example, another topic that is on the agenda right now is the Kobanê Case opened against HDP supporters. What is the Kobanê Case? Our people marched all over Kurdistan against ISIS. ISIS was at the gates of Kobanê and was about to take it; Our people also marched to attract the attention of the whole world, to feel the approaching danger and to support everyone in Kobanê. So what did Tayyip Erdogan do? He instructed his police and said ‘shoot, kill’. In other words, they both killed 53 of our people and sued HDP supporters and demanded aggravated life sentences for each of them. It’s not that unfair. You instructed your police and your police killed those people. Most of those murdered people are HDP members. Let’s assume some of them are not HDP supporters and let’s assume that their claims are true; well, they say to the HDP administration, ‘you killed and you will be tried’. Is there such an injustice? These are being done now.
NEED TO WALK THROUGH HOUSEHOLD
Saturday Mothers want to go out to Galatasaray Square every Saturday to make a statement for their children who have been disappeared by the state. Is there anything more human, just and legitimate than that? These precious mothers are looking for the bones of their children, but they take those mothers and arrest them. No mercy, no conscience. For this reason, people who are merciful and conscientious should not vote for them and should not be partners with them. This reality should be made clear to everyone. For this, it is necessary to go from house to house.
THE ALLIANCE OF THIEVES AND MURDERERS
On the other hand, look at their nominations, and look at themselves; alliance of thieves and murderers. So they are either thieves or murderers. Anyone who wants to become a member of parliament is a candidate to get rich, steal, and settle their spouses and friends somewhere, right? Well, is there anyone who was elected from Kurdish politics and democrats and became rich? No. Because these segments go for service. Some are even tried and arrested. In short, our people should see this difference; For this reason, everyone should work and make those who do not see this difference comprehend the situation. It should work for this; should take a national stance and take a stand against anti-Kurdishness. In this way it should become the will. This is needed. For this, as I mentioned, you need to work. There is little time left; therefore it should be studied well and strengthened itself. If they really strengthen themselves, if they unite the Turkish democratic forces with the Kurds, then they will have the will and they can solve the problems. For this, everyone should work really well during this period.
Working with the AKP-MHP in this period, voting for them is self-blasphemy. Especially the mothers say that ‘everyone should put their hand on their conscience and vote for themselves’. This is a very good thing. Yes; Everyone should give the game to himself.
