Turkey's PKK says it will stand by Syrian Kurds: ANF

PKK says will ‘not abandon’ Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan

QANDIL MOUNTAINS,— A senior leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party said Tuesday that Kurdish militants in Turkey will continue supporting Kurds in Syrian Kurdistan during Damascus’s ongoing offensive and pledged they will “never abandon” Kurds, Firat News Agency reported.

Murat Karayilan, a top official in the PKK, told the agency that the group will remain committed to defending Kurds in Syria. “You should know that we will not leave you alone. Whatever the cost, we will never abandon you. As the entire Kurdish people and as a movement, we will take all necessary steps,” he said.

Karayilan said in the video statement:

First of all, with respect, I greet you. It is clear that, as a people, we are passing through a historic stage. From Aleppo to Hasaka, in Western [Syrian- Rojava] Kurdistan, there is war. We respectfully remember all the martyrs of this war, including Commander Ziad of Aleppo and Deniz Çiya. What is happening in Rojava is not only a war against Western Kurdistan; it is a war against all of Kurdistan.

Tomorrow, or at another suitable time, it is possible that Southern [Iraq] Kurdistan and its status will be targeted.

As seen in the restructuring of the region, they do not want the Kurdish people to have a place or a position. They do not want the Kurdish people to become owners of their own will and status. Tomorrow, or at another suitable time, it is possible that Southern Kurdistan and its status will be targeted. This war and these attacks on Rojava are meant to isolate and weaken the status of Southern Kurdistan.

We must see these attacks as a serious warning about the future of the Kurdish people.

At the same time, these attacks aim to destroy the process that Leader Apo organized in Northern [Turkey] Kurdistan. In this way, this process, which exists in Northern Kurdistan, is being rendered meaningless. Therefore, we must see these attacks as an attack on the future of the Kurdish people.

This is a planned operation. Both international and regional forces see their own interests in it. That is why they have approved it. In this way, this plan continues.

The Turkish state supports armed groups with military technology

Without a doubt, the Turkish state is playing an active role in this. We see it, and we know it. Using its technology, drones, and the direct deployment of soldiers under the name of armed groups, it openly leads these actions. Now, the officials of the Turkish state must know this: we are not children. You cannot, on one hand, speak in Northern Kurdistan about “brotherhood among the Kurdish, Turkish, and Arab peoples” and call for “internal peace,” while on the other hand targeting all the achievements of the Kurdish people in Western Kurdistan through armed groups. No one is fooled by this—it is clear.

History gives a moral judgment on states

Under the cover of international forces, the alliance of the Turkish state, HTS, and ISIS is now actively attacking. In these attacks, ISIS plays a significant role. The current stance of the international coalition, which has facilitated these attacks, will become a major moral shame—especially for the United States, Britain, Germany, and France.

This will be recorded in history against them. Were it not for the Kurds of Western Kurdistan, who stood as a shield against ISIS attacks, all of humanity would have suffered. They protected everyone. They destroyed Raqqa, the capital of ISIS. They gave 13,000 martyrs. And yet, you claimed, “We are allies.” So how do you respond to this alliance being faced with such attacks? If this is not a great injustice, what is it? It is a very great injustice.

Neither the Kurdish people nor the conscience of humanity will forget it. Facing one force while fighting another, then stepping aside and targeting the people—this creates a deep wound in humanity’s conscience. This wound will not heal quickly. These states must know this truth.

There is no loyalty to promises; there is a plan against our people

I recently listened to a statement. A commander of the SDF, named Çiya, spoke on television and said that a group of comrades is resisting in front of a prison. He said:

“In the Al-Sina’a prison in Raqqa, there are more than two thousand militants from many different countries. We will not let them escape. ISIS and HTS militants have surrounded us and want to free them. We are resisting and fighting, and we have asked the coalition for help, but it has been two days and they have not responded.”

What does this mean? Everyone must understand the consequences. It is clear that these states are only pursuing their own interests. Yes, there is no loyalty or real commitment. No one can present this truth as something normal. There is a plan against our people, and this is how it is being carried out. Without doubt, our people—the people of Kurdistan, in all four parts—must see this situation and respond to it.

Mobilization: all our people must take responsibility for Rojava. We are one. You cannot divide us.

The Democratic Autonomous Administration announced this process as a general mobilization and later issued an official statement. This mobilization is for all of Kurdistan. All our people must take responsibility for Rojava. Kurdish youth must play their role. Those who can reach there should do so. We have heard that some from the South have already gone, as the statement said. But this call is for everyone.

This means that all Kurds, in all four parts, especially those abroad, have an important role. Kurds abroad—in the United States, Russia, and Europe—must show the whole world that we are one nation. We are one. You cannot divide us. We have lived on the land of our ancestors for thousands of years. You cannot erase us for your own interests. Through your actions, you must show support for Western Kurdistan.

We are with you; believe in yourselves. Believe in your fighters.

Our people of Western Kurdistan, our dear people: through your patriotism and resistance, you have taught us many things. In this sense, we owe you. You must know that we will not leave you alone. Whatever the cost, we will not leave you alone. For this cause, like all the Kurdish people, we will do whatever is necessary. You are not alone. But you must believe in yourselves. You must believe in your fighters. You must organize yourselves. There is no need for haste. You must remain calm, stay organized, and maintain your strategy. In this way, you can respond effectively to every kind of attack.

The SDF can protect itself and its society

We see that the brave fighters of the SDF have been resisting heroically for 14 days. But the plan is large and the attacks are widespread. Once again, there is resistance and there is response. They have the experience to continue resisting. The position taken by the leadership, especially in the final statement issued by the SDF command, shows that the decision is firm. This force can protect itself and its society.

The fighters are repeating the historic resistance of Kobane; all kinds of attacks must be countered with tunnel warfare

Just as they resisted at the highest level in Kobane and fought house by house, we believe that based on the experience gained over many years, the YPG, YPJ, and SDF are now carrying out a historic resistance again. However, the brave commanders must also use tunnel tactics effectively. As far as we know, tunnels exist. Tunnel warfare today is an effective response to all kinds of attacks and technology.

If used professionally in battle, and if our people in Western Kurdistan continue this stance of resistance together with the fighters, with the full support of all the people of Kurdistan, then no matter how the attacks are carried out, victory will surely be for our people. We believe in this, and our people must believe in it until the end. This suffering, this courage, and heroism, will certainly bring results. I now sincerely and wholeheartedly wish victory to all our people in Western Kurdistan. Once again, with respect and appreciation, I greet you all.

In addition, Mustafa Karasu, a member of the Executive Council of the Koma Civaken Kurdistan (KCK), the political wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), urged Kurds and democratic forces to resist attacks on Rojava carried out by HTS and ISIS militias, which he said are coordinated and directed by the Turkish state.

Karasu described the offensive as a threat not only to Rojava but to the entire Kurdish population. He called on the Kurdish people and allied democratic groups to defend the achievements of the Rojava Revolution.

“There is a conspiracy targeting the Kurds,” Karasu said. “The struggle of the Kurdish people for freedom and democracy is under attack due to regional and international interests. The gains achieved by our people are being undermined, and their determination and desire for freedom are being challenged.”

He added that the attacks are not limited to Rojava. “This is an assault on the will for freedom and the right to exist of all our people across Kurdistan,” Karasu said.

Karasu urged Kurds in all parts of Kurdistan to respond. He emphasized the need for unity and solidarity with those resisting in Rojava, calling for continuous support and mobilization. “The people of Bakur Kurdistan and Bashur Kurdistan, above all, must stand with the people of Rojava in their resistance,” he said.

(With files from ANF english.anf-news.com)