The People’s Defence Centre (HSM) headquarters warned guerrilla forces under its umbrella against possible provocations in the lead up to Turkey’s elections on 14 May and advised strict adherence to the centre’s earlier decision to refrain from military action.
“There will undoubtedly be greater military attacks against the Kurdistan freedom struggle,” the HSM said in a statement. “In this important and historic process, none of our friends should act in a way that violates our decision of no-action.”
The HSM announced it was ceasing all military activity on 10 February, in response to a Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) call in the aftermath of the devastating twin earthquakes that hit southeast Turkey and northern Syria, which affected some 13 million people in the area with a majority Kurdish and Arab population.
The Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its far-right ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will “resort to any and all methods to prolong their rule. It is not clear whether this fascist regime will comply with election results”, the HSM said. “There could be new operations coming.”
There are factions within the state working to weaken the opposition, but the will for change among the people is strong, the HSM said. “This gives the opposition an advantage. The first operation is now void. But the second operation will be against the struggle for freedom in Kurdistan and the political sphere.”
“It is not a far-off possibility that the fascist regime will develop dark incidents, tricks and cheats. The regime wishes to increase tensions and face elections under an artificial crisis. They have prepared for this,” the centre said.
Turkey’s operations in Iraq and Syria have continued despite the earthquake and the decision to cease actions. “This regime has spent all of Turkey’s wealth on the war, and did not take any precautions against earthquakes,” the HSM said.
More than 50,000 people lost their lives in the disaster, exceeding the number of lives lost during four decades of conflict between Turkey and Kurdish forces.
