Hekem Xelo, a member of the North and East Syrian Opinion Leaders Committee, spoke to Hawar News to condemn Turkey’s recent attacks and call on the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to explain its stance against the Garê occupation. “The national forces in Iraqi Kurdistan should stop being partners in the occupation”, said Xelo.
The region of Garê is one of the Kurdish-run regions of Iraq, where Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) camps are located. The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) stated that the attacks in Garê were conducted with the approval of the KDP. However, some officials rejected the accusations regarding the attacks. Dr Xalib Mihemed said the KDP (based in Hewler), has helped the Turkish state by supplying fuel for Turkish warplanes.
“The attacks were not only an attack against the guerrilla, but on the whole of Kurdistan”, said Xelo. “The Turkish state has increased its offensive policy towards the Kurdish people since 1923”.
Xelo called on the political parties in Iraqi Kurdistan to protect the interests of the Kurdish people. “The protection of the gains is not possible with such decisions. The target of the Turkish state is not only People’s Defence Forces (HPG) in Garê. It is a total attack on Kurdistan”. Xelo continued: “Destroying the gains which became real in Rojava and erasing the status of Iraqi Kurdistan is the Turkish state’s next step”.
Xelo also added, “The Kurdish forces, especially the forces in Bashur (Iraqi Kurdistan), must be united as soon as possible, to establish agreements on the convening of the national congress and the red lines of the Kurdish people. There is no other way to protect our people from attacks”.