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There was a meeting between a delegation from the DEM party and the peoples leader Abdullah Ocalan. Some of the analyses made by Abdullah Ocalan in this context were reflected in the press. Among other things, he spoke of a historical responsibility, that a solution cannot be delayed any longer, that he himself is prepared to make a positive contribution for it, and that the parliament must take responsibility. How do you evaluate these analyses as far as they have been published in the press so far?

First of all, I would like to congratulate Rêber Apo¹ on the New Year. The delegation that had met with him recently stated that Rêber Apo’s condition and health were good and that his morale is high. We and our people are all very happy to hear about this. I sent my greetings to Rêber Apo with respect, love, and longing.

Surely, the evaluations reflected in the public opinion are important, and there have already been several comprehensive ones. The most recent meeting is a continuation of the meeting with Omer Ocalan, but it seems that it was much more extensive and in-depth. In the first meeting, Rêber Apo pointed out that the isolation was continuing and that he had the theoretical and practical power to pull the process from the ground of conflict to the political and legal ground if conditions arose. Now, in this meeting, he focused much more comprehensively on the developments in the region and particularly regarding Turkey. Rêber Apo’s assessment of these and on how the dark scenarios imposed on the region lead to great dangers for the peoples is very significant. Looking at Rêber Apo’s prison writings, his 26 years of resistance in Imrali, his attitude, evaluations, and statements he made from time to time through meetings with his lawyers and HDP delegations, one can draw some conclusions. Rêber Apo is well aware of the depth of these dark scenarios and plans imposed on the region and the peoples in the region and the consequences they may lead to. He sees and constantly warns about this. He always formulates calls on the relevant powers, governments, peoples, opposition, democratic forces, and public opinion.

Now again, he has put forward such an approach. He clearly states that he can and will make a great contribution to create a solution, that he has the power, the theoretical and practical power, and that he will play his role if the state and the government are sincere, if they show a sincere will for a solution.

Regarding the dark plans and scenarios I mentioned; the situation the region is going through right now and the developments can be frightening. In this context, Rêber Apo gives the example of Gaza and the situation in Syria. Currently, the capitalist hegemonic powers are trying to implement the so-called ‘Greater Middle East Project’. This plan is based on Israel’s security, on securing Israel’s power in the region. And Turkey is also included in this plan, in the form that a trap has been set against it and a conspiracy directed against it has been set in motion. This has the potential to lead to serious problems and has the potential that the already existing problems will deepen and cause even more decay. The continuation of this will lead to sectarian, religious, and ethnic nationalist wars in the region. It will cause the peoples to strangle each other, the Middle East will turn into a bloodbath, and even more painful suffering will be experienced. The current developments are an indication of this. The situation in Syria is currently demonstrating this clearly for all to see.

If these contradictions and conflicts deepen, a terrible, both sectarian and nationalist, war will unleash in Syria. And it will spill over into Iraq and will have serious repercussions on Turkey. In a very obvious way, a divide and rule policy has been set in motion, making peoples hostile to each other. This is part of a dangerous plan that is currently being implemented. And Turkey is also included in this plan. In a way, this is actually a big trap, a conspiracy against Turkey and the peoples of the region.

This process was started when the international conspiracy was launched and Rêber Apo got abducted. It has continued by deepening and becoming more comprehensive. Rêber Apo made many calls and many times drew attention to the dangers of this and how this atmosphere of conflict is gradually deepening in the region. What he therefore always emphasizes is the brotherhood of the Kurdish and Turkish people. If this is strengthened, it can provide a stable basis for the co-existence of the different peoples in the region. It is therefore fateful, important, and urgent for all peoples.

If their plan is not prevented now and continues, it will lead to a terrible enmity between the Kurdish and Turkish people. The conflict will be further deepened and intensified. And this will threaten the future of all the peoples of the region. It will reach a point that it will pose a threat to the future of the whole region. Strengthening the brotherhood of the Kurdish and Turkish people is an issue of great importance and urgency that will determine the fate of the peoples of the region. This is something that Rêber Apo clearly emphasizes.

As far as we understand it, Rêber Apo is currently trying to understand the meaning and value of Devlet Bahceli’s speeches and of what is behind the process they have been trying to put on the agenda since October 1st. The central question is whether the recent statements are a tactical approach, whether they are just part of their special war, or whether Devlet Bahceli has actually become aware of the existing dangers and is now actually trying to prevent them. In this sense, the central question, in the words of Rêber Apo, is whether the AKP-MHP are actually developing a new paradigm. Is this the framework in which all the speeches are made last? Have they become aware of the dangers of the hegemonic powers’ plan regarding the region? Or is it the exact opposite, and they are trying to keep their power alive through their special warfare, as they couldn’t benefit greatly from the phase in any other way? This is a tactic they have used many times in the past. The main focus right now lies on getting clarity about this.

That is why there can be no question of any kind of process having begun. In any case, there is currently no supposed solution or peace process as discussed in some circles. There can be no talk of peace or a solution simply because of this meeting. The approach of Rêber Apo is the decisive litmus paper. The conditions of isolation and torture in Imrali still prevail. Rêber Apo’s health, security, and free living conditions have not been ensured. The genocidal attacks on the Kurdish people have not stopped. The extensive genocidal attacks on Rojava, southern and northern Kurdistan, and everywhere continue. There can be no talk of a solution and peace process.

Is this process fully put in the service of the special warfare as it was in the past? Is the government trying to use it to sustain itself and maintain its power by taking a rent-seeking approach, instrumentalizing the situation of Rêber Apo, and instrumentalizing the Kurdish question? Because this is exactly how Erdogan and the government handled the process between 2013 and 2015. Erdogan took a tactical approach and instrumentalized the process. He instrumentalized both the situation of Rêber Apo and the Kurdish question. He used it to stabilize his dominance within the state, create his sovereignty, and maintain his power. He used it as a strong weapon within his special warfare. Now, the question is whether the government evaluates what is currently going on in the same way or whether it really puts forward the will for a solution and develops a serious negotiation process with Rêber Apo on the basis of the democratic solution of the Kurdish question and the democratization of Turkey. The will show, in particular, their practice will show this. The developments will show. Above all, how they approach it in practice will reveal this.

As long as no serious steps are recognizable in practice, there can be no talk of any kind of process. Their statements and speeches alone have no meaning. In time it will become clearer what we are facing. But there is a situation and reality that can be seen, understood and evaluated. And that is that we see that the government is once again trying to play games, to push ahead with its special war. That they are once again making tactical advances. There are clear indicators of this. The system of isolation and torture continues on Imrali. Rêber Apo’s health, security and free living and working conditions are not ensured. Rêber Apo still cannot meet with his lawyers. He cannot meet with civil society organizations. He cannot meet with anyone he wants. There are many applications of people to got to Imrali every day. They come from politicians, intellectuals, artists, academics and social society organizations form Turkey and all of Europe. They receive no response. The torture and isolation system continues as it is. The conditions for Rêber Apo’s free life and work are not ensured. Also I said, the genocidal attacks continue intensely everywhere. How could a government with a mentality that opposes the self-defense of the Kurds in Rojava, tries to liquidate their democratic autonomous self-administration, and wants to genocide the Kurds, solve the Kurdish problem in Turkey on a democratic basis? How could it be sincere about the democratic solution of the Kurdish question? That is an important question mark. In a context of such policies and attacks, there can be no trust. No matter where you look, you see that the genocidal attacks and the annihilation policy continue with full intensity. Therefore, we assume that behind everything they are currently trying to stage is a concept of special war alone.

There is this perception in the public opinion as well. In all discussions among the democratic circles and Kurdish society, even when Kurds within the AKP are discussing, there is always this question mark. When Bahceli or Erdogan speak, there is never any talk of a democratic solution. When Devlet Bahceli opens his mouth, he solely talks about destroying the PKK, liquidating Rojava, and the genocide of the Kurds. And it is the same when Erdogan opens his mouth. The only things they express are killing, destruction, attack, and war. There is nothing they put forward other than that. The only thing that has changed in their speeches is that they now talk about the brotherhood of Kurds and Turks. They carry out such intense genocidal attacks against the Kurds and do everything to destroy the status of the self-administration of North and East Syria, for which the Kurds have given such great sacrifices; how can they talk about the brotherhood of the Kurds and Turks? They misuse the expression of brotherhood between Kurds and Turks for their politics. They say that there are Kurds, but they cannot accept the existence of a free Kurd who stands up for his own freedom and who wants to administrate himself. Kurds are slaves! Kurds should serve them, should be their slaves. They need collaborating Kurds for their oppression. They need their support so that they can put everything at the service of their imperialist policy. They accept such a Kurd. In other words, a Kurd who accepts that Kurds are dead are slaves. This has nothing to do with brotherhood. The government shows no will to find a solution. There is no sincerity. They have no solution-oriented policy and have not taken any practical steps. There can be no trust. The government continues its policies of denial, annihilation, and genocide with all its violence and intensity. On Imrali, torture and isolation are continued. The taking place of one or two meetings does not mean that the torture and isolation system has disappeared.

Rêber Apo has put forward an approach, a will for a solution. This is extremely important. He said that if the state creates the conditions for this, if it creates the ground for a solution, if it is sincere about this, that is, if it really changes its paradigm, if it changes its policy, he is ready; he said that he has the practical and theoretical power; he can play a strong role. He made this clear in the meeting and also called on the opposition, as well as on all further political circles. They should strongly contribute to such a process. All political forces and structures must play a positive role, contribute, and take initiative in order for such a process to develop, such a real solution process. We have also made this call on many occasions. We called on the CHP to take the initiative in this process and put forward a solution project, a solution plan. Rêber Apo has also called on all other political parties, forces, organizations, civil society movements, and everyone to play an effective role in this issue. We fully support the calls of Rêber Apo. We fully stand behind the will for a solution of our leader. Rêber Apo is the chief negotiator in the democratic solution of the Kurdish question. We have always pointed this out, and we will continue to do so.

The AKP-MHP government, the opposition, and the state as a whole must put forward a real will for a solution. It must put forward a will for a democratic solution of the Kurdish question and the democratization of Turkey. It must respond positively to these calls of Rêber Apo and take practical, concrete steps in this regard. If the Kurdish question is not resolved in Turkey, if Turkey continues with its current policy, Turkey will be the biggest loser in the region. Turkey should not deceive itself. Turkey will be shattered. Rêber Apo is Turkey’s last chance. The Kurdish freedom movement is Turkey’s last chance. If Turkey does not solve the Kurdish question with Rêber Apo on a democratic basis, if Turkey is not truly democratized, then Turkey will be divided. Ethnic conflicts and sectarian conflicts will be unleashed that will hold the country captive for centuries, and there will no longer be a state called the Republic of Turkey. Therefore, these calls, this will for a solution put forward by Rêber Apo, is a great chance for the Turkish state. If they do not seize this opportunity before their eyes, try to exploit it for themselves, and draw personal gain from the situation, they will experience a major collapse. We really feel the need to issue a warning in this regard.

Based on these two meetings with Rêber Apo and all these discussions, I consider it important that our people and democratic public opinion should not have such wrong expectations. There should not be any weakening in the struggle and resistance. What will strengthen Rêber Apo’s position in the struggle for a democratic solution, what will contribute to turning the current developments into a real solution process, is the struggle and resistance of our people. Only through this can a true solution be achieved. There should not be any wrong expectation, and accordingly there must definitely not be any loosening in the struggle and resistance. The other way around, the struggle and resistance must even be further spread and intensified. I especially want to emphasize this for our people, our people in northern Kurdistan, our people living in Turkey, our people in all four parts of Kurdistan, and abroad, our international friends, and all democratic circles. This process is still full of uncertainties. The possibility of all of this solely being part of their special war is very high. The practice, stance, and policy of this government are obvious. Therefore, it is necessary to continue the struggle stronger than ever. The global freedom campaign aiming for the physical freedom of Rêber Apo and the democratic solution of the Kurdish question must continue stronger than ever.

In the first year, the global freedom campaign was carried out strongly, a serious agenda was created and a great sense of responsibility was developed. In this second year, especially in 2025, the struggle on the social, legal, ideological, political and diplomatic dimension of the global freedom move must be carried out even stronger. In the course of 2025 a process must be developed that will ensure the physical freedom of Rêber Apo, the democratic solution of the Kurdish question, the democratization of Turkey and the democratization of the region. This must be the goal of all works in 2025. Therefore the global freedom campaign must be pursued even stronger and the struggle need to be intensified.

In the Middle East, the center of the Third World War, the war continues with full intensity. In Syria, the Baathist regime has fallen and HTS has been brought to power. What kind of plan is being implemented in Syria and what role do regional powers such as Turkey and Iran play in it?

The Third World War is raging and has reached a decisive stage. The region is being redesigned, and in this redesign, Israel is being tried to be turned into the primary hegemonic power of the region. In fact, the Greater Middle East Project itself is such a project, in which a new shape is given to the region on the basis of Israel’s interests. Ethnic, sectarian, and religious conflicts are used as a fundamental weapon in the implementation of this project. The war in Gaza, the war in Lebanon, the war that is currently intensifying in Syria, the collapse of the regime, the seizure of power by HTS in Damascus, the gradual spread of the war to Iraq, the intensification of the war in Iran, which is the main target, and Turkey becoming a center where the war is intensifying, this whole process is a redesign process for the region.

This is the general framework in which it is necessary to evaluate the developments. One needs to see and foresee the consequences for the peoples and must decide on how to struggle accordingly. HTS came to power in less than two weeks. It overthrew the more than 60-year-old Baath regime and seized power in Damascus. But this did, of course, not happen based only on HTS’s own power. This was an international plan that is being led by America, Britain, and Israel. And Turkey was also included in this plan. Turkey was given the lead in the implementation of this plan. Now they are drunk on the supposed feeling of victory. They act as if they have made a great conquest, as if they have conquered Syria, as if they have taken over everything, and have created a great area of dominance in the Middle East. There is such a mentality in the government, in the ruling media, and in their circles of power. But that is not the truth. The truth of the matter is that Turkey has become like a donkey being driven into a minefield. This is the essence of Turkey’s situation.

A plan was made, and Turkey was given a role in the implementation of this plan. But looking at it, one will realize that a conspiracy was hatched against Turkey. By using Turkey, they broke Iran’s influence in Syria. Iran suffered a serious blow. They already did in Lebanon, as a heavy blow was dealt to Hezbollah. Now in Syria, Iran’s influence was broken through Turkey. Turkey was very eager to fill the vacuum left by Iran and wants to fortify itself instead of Iran. It was only with this thought in mind that they were immediately ready to go along with the plan, without realizing what was really happening around them, without calculating, and without being aware of the depth of the plan and the consequences it would lead to. They were just focused on Iran’s neutralization and liquidation in Syria and on replacing it, turning Syria into a province, as it was during the Ottoman period. That is exactly what they are discussing intensely at the moment. A Syria under Turkey’s sovereignty will become an area that Turkey will utilize, exploit, and benefit from based on its interests. By establishing its hegemony over Syria, it will have established hegemony over the region to a large extent. For one hundred years, Iran and Turkey have been engaged in a great rivalry, a war for hegemony in the region, and now this is how they think they will succeed. By eliminating Iran’s influence and hegemony in the region, Turkey is trying to pave the way for the shared hegemony in the region with Israel. It is now dreaming, longing, seeking, and striving for this.

But Turkey must know that they won’t allow it to swallow Syria. These ambitions of Turkey will be crushed. If it tries to swallow Syria, Turkey will suffocate on it. Israel will not share its hegemony in the region with Turkey. The international hegemonic powers have no interest in sharing the regional hegemony between Israel and Turkey. At the moment, a plan is being implemented to make Israel the main hegemonic power in the region, to put Turkey at its service, to break Iran’s hegemony in the region through Turkey, and then to break Turkey’s influence and put it at the service of Israel. At the moment, a deliberate perception is being developed in Turkey as if it has achieved a big victory. This is being developed deliberately. Trump’s praise for Erdogan, calling him a “very clever, smart man” is meant to develop this perception. As if Turkey really is a big winner in the region, a succeeding power. When Trump says this, he turns around and laughs, mocks him. Israel turns around and mocks Turkey. Turkey is caught in a big trap. Now they are using Turkey, and when they are finished with them, they will relegate them to the place they have predestined for them. As soon as Turkey shows any resistance against this, they will stir up Turkey from within. They will intervene in Turkey with all means. This is how this government is trying to deceive the society, the democratic forces, and the opposition. And the opposition has also fallen for it, it is trying to be a part of this and almost competes with the government. It will go to Damascus, offer municipal services, and improve relations. Instead of criticizing the government’s policies, pushing forward a peaceful policy and a reconciliatory policy, the opposition supports the current government’s policy and is almost eager to be a part of it. There is blindness. Turkey is one of the biggest losers in the current situation.

The winners of this process are the capitalist hegemonic powers, America, Britain, and Israel. Turkey does not see this. For years, it has based and focused its entire policy on the Kurdish genocide. There is nothing it will not do to genocide the Kurds. It has created a lot of counter-structures under the name of the SNA and has brought together a bunch of gangs and mercenaries, all the remnants of ISIS. Actually, SNA is ISIS itself. And Turkey is driving them against the Kurds. At the same time, it is trying to ensure that HTS takes a similar position. For this it is in constant contact with Damascus, Washington, London, and so on. They are trying to secure the support of all these powers. It is trying to dismantle the autonomous self-administrative system in northern Syria and genocide the Kurds and the people of North and East Syria. With this policy, it searches to dominate Syria, establish its hegemony in the region, and share hegemony in the region with Israel. But this is a great (self-)deception. Currently, the Turkish state is conducting a wrong, unrealistic, irrational, and dangerous policy. And this will be a huge loss for Turkey. It has become the losing side.

You have highlighted that the Turkish state is doing everything in its power to crush the revolution in Rojava and has therefore intensified its attacks. How can the resistance at the political, social, diplomatic and military level of the peoples of North and East Syria, the self-administration and the defense forces against these attacks be evaluated?

We currently witness a glorious resistance in Rojava, as well as all of North and East Syria. I commemorate with great respect, love, and gratitude all the fallen fighters of the SDF, YPG, and YPJ, as well as all of our patriotic people who have fallen martyrs in this resistance, and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded.

Our people are mobilizing for this war and resistance everywhere. All the peoples of North and East Syria are resisting according to the strategy of the revolutionary people’s war. This is extremely meaningful. They have taken sides with the SDF and are in great resistance on the front and everywhere. This is what befits the peoples of Northern and Eastern Syria. Only through resistance can they ensure and secure their existence and freedom. There is no other way. The concrete example of what is meant when we say that one’s existence and freedom can only be protected through freedom can be seen today in North and East Syria. From young to old, people are mobilized and resisting. I congratulate and salute this will of our people to resist. It is indeed extremely meaningful and valuable. They need to continue this resistance strongly and to strengthen it further. Of course, our people in the other parts of Kurdistan and abroad, as well as our international friends and all democratic forces, should take part in strengthening this resistance and stand by the peoples of North and East Syria. They need to participate in and support this resistance in every sense. A valuable assumption of responsibility can already be seen in northern Kurdistan, with the vigils in defense of Rojava that have been set up in Nisebin (tr. Nusaybin) and Pirsus (tr. Suruc), and hundreds of people, thousands of people, are participating in these actions. They have been going on for more than two weeks now, and more actions are about to come. There have also been demonstrations and many statements. The people of northern Kurdistan are demonstrating their stance and attitude of embracing Rojava, participating in and supporting this resistance both in the cities and metropolises of Turkey. This is meaningful. I salute and congratulate this resistance and the resistance of the people of northern Kurdistan, but one must also underline that this is not enough. This needs to be further strengthened. Not hundreds, not thousands, but tens of thousands of people should participate in the vigils to defend Rojava. Hundreds of thousands of people should participate. All along the borders, there should be vigils for the defense of Rojava, with the participation of tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people, it should turn into a total resistance, and all our people, regardless of their age, everywhere should be on their feet. The people of northern Kurdistan should contribute the most to this defense.

If the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria in Rojava cannot ensure and protect its existence and freedom, there will be no ground for a democratic solution in northern Kurdistan. These developments condition each other. Without a democratic solution in northern Kurdistan, it is not possible for Rojava’s democratic autonomous system to maintain its existence and freedom. The Kurdish question is all-encompassing and not a partial question. Therefore, the embrace of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and the Rojava Revolution in the four parts of Kurdistan is the embrace of our people’s own existence and freedom. Therefore, our people, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, millions of people in the four parts of Kurdistan, particularly in northern Kurdistan and abroad, should be on the streets continuously and defend the Rojava Revolution, stand by the resistance in Rojava, participate in it, and be part of it.

The Rojava Revolution is a women’s revolution, and it built a system that is centered on the women. Women have paid a great price and contributed a great deal to this system. The existence and future of this revolution are crucial for women’s freedom. Not only Kurdish women, but all women must embrace this revolution. The same accounts for the youth and the ecological struggle. That needs to be emphasized.

Syria must be able to establish a democratic, constitutional system based on democratic, autonomous regions. Such a system, such a solution, would prevent sectarian conflicts, religious conflicts, and ethnic-nationalist conflicts. It would play a fundamental role in the democratization of the region, in the democratic and fraternal co-existence of peoples. Currently the Kurds are pioneering this; the peoples of North and East Syria are pioneering and practicing this. In this sense, Turkey’s interest also lies here. Turkey’s interest lies in reconciliation and agreement with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. If Turkey had a rational state of mind, it would be based on agreement and reconciliation with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. It would be based on a democratic solution in northern Kurdistan, would take a democratic, peaceful solution with the Kurds as a basis, and most crucially would take negotiations with Rêber Apo as a basis. This would make Turkey a great power in the region. In other words, if Turkey wants to be an influential power in Syria and in the entire Middle East, then it must come to an agreement and reconciliation with the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria. This is the only way to find a solution in Syria. Otherwise, Syria will turn into a ground for conflict. It has already started; there is a massacre of Alawites and of the Druze, and there is the genocidal attack on the peoples of North and East Syria. Sectarian conflicts and religious conflicts are already flaring up.

Monist, oppressive, centralized, fascist nation state systems only bring conflict. They bring ethnic conflicts, sectarian conflicts, and religious conflicts, and this causes great losses. These systems were never suitable for the region. That is what was clearly shown throughout the course of one hundred years. The region did not come out of war; it did not come out of conflicts. If there is to be a nation state, it must be restructured in a way that is sensitive to democracy and democratic self-governments, and a new paradigm must be developed in this sense. The situation in Syria is before our eyes. It is obvious that things are going to get messy. They broke Iran’s influence in Syria, but one should not take Iran too lightly. Iran will not easily leave Lebanon, Syria, or Iraq. Everyone is trying to redeploy their forces according to the new conditions and trying to organize themselves. They are trying to organize themselves. The situation is becoming more dangerous; the course is evolving into a more dangerous process. The only thing that can prevent this is the solution put forward by Rêber Apo. In this last meeting, he once again showed his will and capability in a very striking way. Rêber Apo has developed extremely important and valuable evaluations.

We would like to talk about how the wave that began on October 7 with the war in Gaza and has now broken over Syria continues to roll. After the developments in Syria, all eyes are on Iraq, where many expect a similar situation. There is much talk about the activities of the Turkish state in Iraq. Is there the same danger for Iraq as for Syria?

Turkey is also conducting an imperial, neo-Ottomanist policy in Iraq. Throughout the years, its policy in Iraq and Syria has been quite similar to each other. Turkey is trying to achieve the goal it has set in its Misak-i Milli (national pact). In this course it is trying to establish its hegemony over Iraq. This is what this latest agreement with Iraq and their memorandum mean. The invasion and annexation attacks are carried out for this purpose. It has been organizing itself very intensively in Iraq. Especially in recent years, it has been organizing itself in the military, economic, and political dimensions and is trying to increase its influence and widen the occupied area. It is organizing Turkmens who are close to it. and has taken many people from former core settlement areas of the Ottomans and hardcore nationalists and settled them in the occupied regions. It created an armed force there. There are such efforts in Kirkuk, Mosul, and Til Afer, and it has turned Bashiqa into the center of this.

Iraq is facing economic difficulties, as Turkey is trying to seize all the markets of Iraq. This is how it is trying to ensure its economic hegemony over Iraq. It has been using water as a trump card against Iraq for years and is trying to take over Iraq on this basis. It is using water as blackmail to get concessions from Iraq. With Iraq’s approval and legitimization of these annexation attacks of the Turkish Republic, it established military bases in the places it entered, and now it is trying to fortify those bases. It has accelerated its Misak-i Milli policy, trying to realize this goal and also trying to establish its sovereignty and hegemony over Iraq. The rapprochement of the governments is also part of this, as well as the so-called ‘Development Road Project’. That is why we said this project is a trap; one must not fall for it. We had also made various calls and warnings to Iraq on this issue. Since Turkey’s aim is to achieve the Misak-i Milli goals and establish its sovereignty over Iraq. Step by step, it has tried to walk this path in its own way. And now with what Turkey did in Syria, many of the relations it had with Iraq, the discussions they had, and many of the arguments and discourses it used were deciphered and revealed. Turkey had been unmasked. Now, many people in Iraq, inside and outside the state, inside and outside the government, are gradually realizing what kind of deceiving and fooling state Turkey really is, that its main goal is to establish its hegemony in the region. They start to see the true face of these neo-Ottoman policies, which is expansionism, occupation, and annexation.

Turkey is gradually making a serious mess in Iraq. Not only with these kinds of efforts, but now it is again organizing ISIS inside Iraq. It is also trying to mobilize ISIS. It is trying to pit the Shiite wings and sections against each other and is trying to foment sectarian conflict in Iraq. It is also trying to fuel the Sunni-Shiite conflict. Turkey is taking the lead in Iraq to eliminate the Iranian influence. Just as it played the active role in Syria together for the international powers, it is now playing a similar leading role in Iraq. As far as we follow and observe, many people in Iraq are gradually realizing this. It is already late, but still not too late. Iraq made big mistakes and fell into Turkey’s trap. That agreement with Turkey was very wrong. It caused great damage to Iraq. As was putting the PKK on the list of banned organizations. It solely served Turkey’s interest. The legitimization of Turkey’s occupation and annexation causes great damage to Iraq. It is very important for Iraq to draw conclusions from what has happened. Iraq’s agreement with Turkey must be terminated. The PKK must be removed from the banned list. An attitude must be taken against Turkey’s occupying and annexationist policies. Turkey needs to be expelled from Iraq, and its further leading role in the occupation of Kurdistan must be prevented. For this, the politics of a serious struggle must be carried out. Iraq must be able to put forward this will. Otherwise, Iraq itself will become a tool of Turkey’s neo-Ottomanist, expansionist, occupying, and annexationist policies. We have always said this, and we still need to say it again.

Finally, is there anything else you would like to say about the end of this year and the beginning of the new year 2025?

A strong resistance has developed in the Medya Defense Zones². The Turkish state’s policies of denial, annihilation, and genocide were dealt a huge blow, and the Turkish army is in a big deadlock. These Misak-i Milli policies of the Turkish state have caused this serious deadlock and have been disrupted. The guerrilla has become a serious obstacle in front of them. Where the Turkish army entered, it got stuck. It is locked in one place. This is the situation in the Medya Defense Zones. The comrades put up a very strong resistance, and there have been great martyrdoms. I once again commemorate all the comrades who were martyred with great respect, love, and gratitude.

The resistance continues. There are clashes everywhere, as the attacks continue very intensely. I salute this great resistance, which is the reason why the Turkish state has not achieved any results so far. In 2025 this will not change. This resistance will continue, it will spread and get even more comprehensive on the basis of the new self-defense doctrine, not only in the Medya Defense Zones but also, in particular, by being put into practice in northern Kurdistan. Especially in 2025, this will be seen in the practice more strongly. This new doctrine of self-defense and war will bear fruit. I am convinced that a great self-defense war, a revolutionary people’s war, will be waged in northern Kurdistan in 2025. And this will bring about serious developments.

Likewise, the struggle for freedom in the four parts of Kurdistan will continue to grow and strengthen. On this basis, just as the year 2024 passed with great resistance and struggle, 2025 will pass with a strong struggle and resistance in a way that multiplies and grows this even more.

I would also like to take the opportunity to point out that December is a month of great martyrdoms and painful massacres, but also a month of great resistance. It was this very month in which the Meresh (tr. Kahramanmarash) massacre developed. Many of our people lost their lives in this massacre. I commemorate them all with great respect. Then again, there was the Roboski (tr. Uludere) massacre in which mainly Kurdish youths were murdered. 34 people lost their lives and were brutally massacred. I commemorate them with respect and gratitude. Then in 2001, there was an operation inside the prisons, in which dozens of revolutionaries and democrats got murdered by the state. I remember them all with great respect and gratitude. And not long ago, on December 23, 2022, Evin Goyi, Mir Perwer, and Abdurrahman Kizil were assassinated in the center of Paris. It was the Turkish intelligence that did this, and the French intelligence supported it. France became a partner in this crime. The assassination got known as the second Paris massacre, after our comrades Sakine, Ronahi, and Rojbin had already been brutally murdered there in 2013. I commemorate all these comrades with great respect, love, and gratitude.

Of course, there were also great martyrdoms within the guerrilla within this month. There is the martyrdom of the guerrilla commanders Adil and Gulbahar. Also Aziz Dersim, who was in charge of the self-defense in the province of Dersim (tr. Tunceli), was martyred in a clash on December 31, 2011, along with six further comrades. I commemorate all these comrades and all that I couldn’t mention with great respect, love, and gratitude. I promise that we will adhere to their memories and that we will lead this struggle to victory.

Again, the December of this year was characterized by great struggle and resistance. Especially the resistance in Rojava was a very important part of this. I want to commemorate Cihan Bilgin and Nazim Dashtan, who became the loud voice of truth in this resistance. These journalists, representatives of the truth, valuable people, gave their lives this month, as did dozens of SDF, YPG, and YPJ fighters and patriotic people who participated in the resistance. I commemorate them all with great respect, love, and gratitude. And of course, loyalty to their memories is only possible by leading their struggle to success. We will adhere to their memories, and we will lead the freedom struggle to success and victory. I give this promise to our people, to all our precious martyrs.

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