Turkey’s operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) are facing continued criticism, with Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s Istanbul co-chair Murat Kalmaz accusing the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of collaborating with Turkish forces.
Speaking to Mesopotamia Agency on Saturday, Kalmaz described Turkey’s actions in the Zap, Avashin and Metina areas as an occupation. He argued that Turkey’s presence extends beyond areas where the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) operates.
“Turkey is a state that has wanted to occupy Kurdistan for centuries. It does not accept any gains of the Kurds or the Kurds themselves. Therefore, KDP’s attitude towards these occupation attacks is clear: it is treacherous and collaborationist,” he stated.
Kalmaz criticised the KDP’s silence on Turkey’s actions, saying, “KDP is committing the crime of betrayal against Kurds. Another state is seizing your lands, bombing our villages every day, occupying a point you fully control and you remain silent. Such a thing has not been seen anywhere in the world.”
He also warned that Turkey might be planning to relocate armed groups from Syria to the KRI. “[Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdoğan wants to take these gangs to South Kurdistan [the KRI]. He wants to carry out the plunder and occupation he did in Efrin [Afrin] and Serekaniye (Ras al-Ain) to South Kurdistan and have them fight against the PKK there,” Kalmaz explained.
Calling for a joint struggle against what he termed ‘occupation attacks’, Kalmaz urged, “The people of South Kurdistan need to raise their voices against the Turkish state’s occupation attack and never leave the lands they are in.”
Kalmaz also commented on Turkey’s economic situation, linking it to the ongoing conflict. He suggested that if peace and economic recovery are truly desired, the war policy must be abandoned.
Referring to the dialogue process with the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan between 2013-2015, Kalmaz stated, “Mr Abdullah Öcalan is the interlocutor on this issue. If peace is wanted, Imrali must be visited. The interlocutor and the solution path are clear.”
Intellectuals, too, voiced their criticism against Turkey’s recent incursions in the KRI, arguing that the Kurdish issue cannot be resolved through war and emphasising the need for continuous efforts towards peace. Speaking to Mezopotamya Agency, artist Erdoğan Emir highlighted the negative impact of war and the suppression of legitimate Kurdish demands. Similarly, artist Suavi stressed the necessity of persistent peace efforts, while writer Semih Gümüş criticised the longstanding failure to address the Kurdish issue politically, noting that war is not a viable solution.
Meanwhile, protests erupted in multiple cities against Turkey’s military actions in the KRI and the KDP’s involvement. Demonstrators condemned the collaboration, chanting slogans like “Bimire xiyanet, bijî berxwedan” (Death to betrayal, long live resistance).
In Istanbul, the DEM Party and various civil society organisations held a press conference in Şişhane Square, expressing opposition to the military operations. DEM Party Istanbul Co-chair Gonca Yangöz criticised the policies of both Turkey and the KDP, highlighting concerns about the expansion of conflict and territorial ambitions.
In Adıyaman (Semsûr), the DEM Party and the Democratic Regions Party (DBP) organised a press conference in Democracy Park. DEM Party Central District Co-chair Yusuf Özperçin condemned the ongoing military actions since 2018 by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) coalition, alleging these actions hinder the democratic resolution of the Kurdistan issue.
In Bitlis (Bedlîs), DEM Party members protested at their party building, stressing that the military operations obstruct the path to a peaceful resolution for Kurdistan’s status.
In Dersim, protests faced police resistance, resulting in one arrest. Despite the obstruction, demonstrators continued to express their opposition to the ongoing military operations, showcasing their resilience.
