Turkey is using the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as an excuse to invade Kirkuk, Mosul and Sulaymaniyah, Salih Muslim, Co-Chair of Syria’s Kurdish-led Democratic Union Party (PYD), claimed.
In an interview with Mezopotamya Agency on Saturday, Muslim emphasised the need for Kurdish unity against Turkey’s exploitation of the PKK issue to target Kurdish regions inside Iraqi territory, such as Başûr Kurdistan (‘South Kurdistan’).
“In the face of external threats, Kurds need to establish target unity and coordinate to protect themselves from sliding into a dangerous situation,” Muslim stated, pointing out the significant challenges posed by regional powers seeking to leverage Kurdish internal divisions to further their geopolitical goals. He criticised Turkey for manipulating these divisions, suggesting that such strategies weaken Kurdish efforts towards autonomy and influence.
Muslim also commented on broader regional tensions, particularly between Iran and Israel, and the overarching crises in the Middle East exacerbated by war, occupation and social collapse. He criticised the Turkish government’s approach, which he perceived as opportunistic: “The state mindset, persisting with war in response to the rising demand for peace from the people, tries to create ‘opportunities’ from crises.”
The Kurdish leader also touched on internal Kurdish dynamics, suggesting the need for a balanced and unified response to external pressures. He warned of the risks posed by Turkey’s military and political strategies, which he views as part of a larger “Neo-Ottoman” and nationalistic agenda aimed at undermining Kurdish gains.