In a detailed interview lasting over an hour, Cemil Bayık, co-chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), addressed a range of critical issues at a pivotal time for Turkey and the broader Middle East with Sterk TV on 17 January. He issued stark warnings to the Turkish government. The interview, conducted during the transition period of the United States presidency, comes amidst Turkey’s increasing involvement in domestic and regional crises. Bayık delved into the so-called reconciliation process, highlighting the importance of Abdullah Öcalan’s paradigm of resolution and the Kurdish movement’s unwavering support for him. He also explored the changing dynamics in Syria and the Middle East, emphasising the PKK’s resilience and stronger position. Most notably, Bayık reiterated the Kurdish movement’s sincere aim to establish a renewed alliance and brotherhood with the Turkish people, echoing Öcalan’s vision of a partnership akin to that of a century ago.
AKP insincerity exposed in 2013-2015 process
Reflecting on past negotiations, Bayık criticised Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for undermining trust during the 2013-2015 resolution process, describing their approach as lacking sincerity and commitment. Bayık declared:
“If the AKP genuinely wants peace, they must recognise Kurdish rights as equal to those of Turks. Instead, their actions consistently revolve around eradicating Kurdish identity and rights under the guise of dialogue. This is not brotherhood but deception.”
Expanding on this, Bayık noted that the AKP used the resolution process to buy time rather than make genuine progress. “They aimed to weaken the Kurdish movement while consolidating their own power. The process was never about resolution but about manipulating perceptions domestically and internationally,” he said. According to Bayık, this duplicity has sown deeper mistrust among Kurds and demonstrated the AKP’s lack of commitment to democratic principles.
The recent dismissal of talks with the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party as mere “chat” underscores this insincerity. “Such remarks demean the seriousness of the Kurdish question,” Bayık stated. “The AKP’s approach trivialises the issue and reflects their unwillingness to engage in meaningful dialogue.”
PKK: A resilient actor in changing times
Bayık emphasised the PKK’s strengthened position, asserting its ability to operate independently of Turkish state engagement. “Those who believe the PKK has no alternatives are mistaken,” he said. “We now have broader options and alliances, both regionally and globally, compared to previous decades.”
Highlighting the organisation’s adaptability, Bayık explained how regional changes have enhanced the PKK’s strategic position. “The PKK has cultivated alliances across various fronts. Our strength lies not only in our resistance but also in our capacity to navigate shifting political landscapes,” he elaborated. He added that this adaptability contrasts sharply with Turkey’s increasingly rigid and isolating policies.
Bayık also pointed to the Kurdish people’s resilience as a key factor in the movement’s strength. “Our people have shown extraordinary resistance against all forms of oppression,” he said. “This enduring spirit ensures that the Kurdish question remains central to any discussion on regional stability.”
Erdoğan’s dangerous rhetoric
Bayık strongly criticised President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s rhetoric, which he described as inflammatory and dismissive of peace efforts. “Erdoğan’s language—filled with threats of annihilation—is designed to polarise and perpetuate conflict,” he argued. “This warlike discourse will not solve Turkey’s internal crises but deepen them.”
He highlighted specific examples of this rhetoric’s impact, noting its role in exacerbating tensions and undermining trust.
“When Erdoğan speaks of burying the PKK and its supporters, he is not just targeting an organisation but seeking to delegitimise an entire people,” Bayık said. “Such rhetoric is not only divisive but dangerous.”
The KCK co-chair underscored the importance of moving beyond Turkey-centric solutions to the Kurdish issue. “The Middle East’s shifting dynamics offer opportunities to foster alliances and redefine strategies,” he said. “If Turkey continues its intransigence, it will lose not only its regional influence but also its internal stability.”
Bayık’s warnings reflect a broader critique of Turkey’s current trajectory. “The government’s obsession with maintaining power at any cost blinds it to the necessity of democratic reform and genuine reconciliation,” he concluded.
Turkey’s aggression in Syria and the role of proxy forces
Bayık also highlighted the destructive role of Turkey’s military interventions in Syria, pointing to its use of proxy forces such as the Syrian National Army (SNA). “The Turkish state has weaponised extremist groups to wage war against the Kurdish people in Northern and Eastern Syria,” Bayık stated. He described these actions as part of a broader agenda to destabilise the region and undermine Kurdish-led initiatives for self-governance.
“Turkey’s aggression in Syria is not just about suppressing the Kurds; it is about imposing its own version of control over the region,” Bayık argued. “By supporting groups like the SNA, Ankara is exporting its policies of oppression and exclusion, creating cycles of violence that affect all communities.”
Bayık emphasised that despite these challenges, the Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria has shown remarkable resilience. “The people of Rojava have stood firm against Turkish aggression, demonstrating their commitment to democratic governance and coexistence,” he said. He warned that Turkey’s actions, if unchecked, could lead to broader regional instability, with repercussions that extend far beyond Syria.
