Turkey is spreading baseless claims about PKK statehood ambitions, said Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) executive committee member Murat Karayılan, refuting allegations that the Kurdish movement is backed by external powers, specifically the US. “Linking the Kurdish struggle to foreign conspiracies is a tactic to delegitimise our cause,” he said.
In a detailed interview published on Sunday, Karayılan criticised the Turkish government’s stance on the upcoming elections in the Kurdish regions of Syria, known as the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). He highlighted the significance of the AANES elections, which are a critical democratic process in the Kurdish-controlled areas of Syria, sometimes also referred to as Rojava. He asserted that Turkish accusations of the PKK using the elections to establish a state are unfounded. “Dismissing these elections as illegal shows a fundamental hostility towards democratic systems,” he stated.
Karayılan argued that the current Turkish government’s policies are not only repressive but also detrimental to the socio-economic fabric of the country. He linked the economic decline in Turkey directly to its aggressive policies towards the Kurdish population. “The economic downturn and the social unrest we see today are consequences of a century of failed policies towards Kurds,” he explained, emphasising that a shift towards inclusive and democratic approaches is crucial.
Addressing the broader geopolitical context, Karayılan pointed out that while the US has tactical relationships with local Kurdish forces in Syria, these do not equate to support for the PKK’s goals.
Karayılan called for a reassessment of Turkey’s approach to the Kurdish issue, advocating for a democratic resolution based on mutual respect and dialogue. He underscored the importance of recognising the Kurdish people’s rights and the historical context of their struggle. “Peace and progress in Turkey can only be achieved through acknowledging and addressing the legitimate aspirations of the Kurdish people,” he highlighted.
