🔴 Besê Hozat, the co-chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (#KCK) executive council, told #MedyaHaber on Tuesday that the #Kurdish military forces decided to extend the no-action period until the #elections to be held on 14 May in #Turkey.https://t.co/2ry7wjJELW pic.twitter.com/hssxNxLSdR
— MedyaNews (@1MedyaNews) March 29, 2023
Kurdish forces will extend the period of military inaction they declared in the aftermath of the devastating 6 February earthquakes until after Turkey’s elections, which are of critical importance, Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Council Co-chair Besê Hozat told Medya Haber on Tuesday.
“These elections have historical significance,” Hozat said. “We will reassess the situation afterwards.”
More than 50,000 people lost their lives in the twin earthquakes that hit Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast. The People’s Defence Centre (HSM) declared a period of military inaction in the aftermath, in a show of solidarity with the 13 million affected people. However, Turkey did not respond, instead increasing its cross-border operations in Syria and Iraq against Kurdish forces, Hozat said. The co-chair expects a steeper increase in the lead up to the elections.
The HSM warned of possible provocations by the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, which is willing to do anything to remain in power, she added.
“Both our guerrilla forces and our people should heed the call made by our central headquarters,” said the co-chair. “It must be taken into account, we need to be prepared.”
The HSM headquarters last week advised strict adherence to the centre’s earlier decision to refrain from military action.