Kurdish guerrilla operations against the Turkish military have effectively demonstrated the failure of the Turkish government’s “Collapse Plan”, on which the Justice and Development Party (AKP)-Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) administration heavily relied, argued Murat Karayılan, commander of the People’s Defence Centre (HSM) Headquarters in a detailed discussion with ANF on Thursday. He posited that the resilience and strategic actions of the guerrillas have undermined the plan’s objectives.
Karayılan highlighted the Kurdish people’s long-standing resistance against what he terms genocidal policies, asserting that such resistance is firmly rooted in the ideological principles laid out by Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Öcalan has been imprisoned in İmralı Island Prison in Turkey and is currently under strict isolation, having had no contact with his family or lawyers for the past 35 months.
Karayılan emphasised the guerrillas’ strategic adherence to these principles, portraying their actions as “a direct response to fascist-genocidal pressures”. He argued that the guerrillas’ recent operations serve as a testament to the efficacy of their warfare doctrine, aiming to achieve significant outcomes with minimal casualties. This approach, according to Karayılan, is validated by the tactical advancements made by the guerrillas, showcasing their adaptability and commitment.
A significant portion of the interview was dedicated to discussing the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s (KDP) controversial interactions with the Turkish government. Karayılan expressed concerns over the KDP’s role in enabling Turkish military operations within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, questioning the strategic rationale behind such cooperation. He speculated on the existence of undisclosed agreements between the KDP and Turkey, calling for a critical reassessment of these partnerships to safeguard Kurdish national interests.
Further, Karayılan shed light on the intensification of military activities by the Kurdish guerrilla forces, particularly highlighting a sequence of impactful operations.
The interview with Karayılan underscores a pivotal moment in the Kurdish resistance movement, marked by intensified guerrilla activity and strategic debates within the Kurdish political landscape. His commentary calls for greater unity and international support in countering the Turkish military’s advances and advocating for Kurdish rights.
