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Mustafa Karasu, Executive Council member of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) spoke in a special programme broadcast on Medya Haber TV regarding the anniversary of ’15 August’ and also about the latest political developments and ongoing clashes between the Turkish Armed Forces and the Kurdish fighters in Iraqi Kurdistan.
On 15 August 1984, the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) launched its first actions in the districts of Eruh and Şemdinli in Turkey. The day is celebrated as the bairam of resistance among Kurds.
Karasu drew attention to the significance of the day: “The architect of 15 August is the leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan). I celebrate his 15 August as well. 15 August is the expression of the longing of hundreds of years and thousands of years.”
He continued: “Anyone who suffered from the genocidal policies of Turkey, who resisted those policies, worked for it. In that respect, maybe 15 August is the most important day for Kurdistan. It represents an action that changed the fate of the Kurds. One should understand this very well, and need to own it, and celebrate it.”
Karasu observed that as the years have passed, the Kurdish movement has gained in power: “There is a resistance, with a spirit of sacrifice for 37 years: one should view it like that. Each year has deepened that spirit of sacrifice, in both the guerrilla and amongst the people. Each year has brought new colours, power and dimensions to the resistance. Now, our guerrilla have been resisting against the occupation and genocide through that 37 year background of resistance.”
Finally, he spoke about the ongoing clashes in Qandil Mountains in Iraqi Kurdistan and noted that Turkey has not been able to advance from the outset: “There is history behind that resistance: it is not an easy task, not everyone can stand up to it. The Turkish state has all the opportunities, means, techniques and also support. It has international support, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is legitimising it, supporting it. Despite all of this, for a hundred days, Turkey has not been able to advance.”
