By Amed Dicle
For some time now, there have been claims that Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan will make a statement on 15 February. Debates have arisen over whether the Kurdish movement will heed Öcalan’s call or not. However, the Kurdish movement has repeatedly declared Öcalan as the chief negotiator, and they have reaffirmed this stance in the current period.
Murat Karayılan, a top executive of KCK’s collective governance, has re-emphasised in a stunning interview on Sterk TV yesterday that they are looking forward to seeing and hearing from Ocalan via a video-recorded message, and they will do whatever he asks them to do.
As 15 February approaches, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan also stated on 4 February, “Mr Öcalan is preparing to make a historic call, and the government must adopt a corresponding stance.” The government’s position will be discussed separately, but for now, let us focus on Öcalan’s historical stance.
From these statements, it is clear that a call will indeed be made, and as Bakırhan noted, it will be a historic one. This call will mark the closure of one era and the opening of a new one, making it historically significant. Essentially, it will highlight a new period of struggle and a new method of resistance for the Kurds.
This call might come on 15 February, or a day or two before or after.
Why This Date?
Because on 15 February 1999, Öcalan was abducted from Kenya and handed over to Turkey in an international conspiracy. Öcalan has stated that this conspiracy aimed to spark a Kurdish-Turkish war lasting centuries.
The plot sought to completely dismantle the Kurdish movement and remove Öcalan from the equation. Yet, 26 years later, Öcalan is not only still central to the issue but also creating new frameworks. He will likely propose turning this conspiracy into an opportunity for a new era and resolution.
Öcalan had attempted this in the early 2000s, but the State did not respond with the necessary seriousness.
Is Ocalan saying anything new?
No! Öcalan has consistently advocated for a democratic and political solution since 1988. He proposes a resolution where Kurds, like Turks and other peoples, have equal rights.
*In 1993, he proposed this and declared a ceasefire; in response, the then president of Turkey, Turgut Özal was assassinated.
*On 1 September 1998, he declared another ceasefire with the same perspective, leading to the conspiracy.
*In 1999, during the Imralı trial and subsequent negotiations, in the Oslo process, and most recently between 2013-15, Öcalan made these same proposals and worked tirelessly towards their realisation.
Öcalan’s efforts to bring the issue to a democratic and political platform and to eliminate violence from both sides have been ongoing for over 30 years.
Why did the Kurdish movement under Öcalan adopt armed struggle?
Because policies of denial and annihilation were imposed on the Kurds. They were left with no other option but to take up arms. The armed struggle was fundamentally a defence, a fight to preserve their existence.
For over last 30 years, Öcalan has said that the reality of the Kurds can no longer be denied, and if the State is ready, this method can be set aside. He challenges: if you fear weapons and advocate for politics, let us lay down arms and engage in politics.
If the Turkish State abandons its denial and annihilation policies, the Kurds can initiate a period prioritising political and social struggle.
What will happen in the new period?
While we do not yet know the exact content of the upcoming statement, it is understood that Öcalan will present a new period and method of struggle for the Kurds, analysing both global and regional developments.
Will the state respond?
It must, and it will. If the State does not take steps following this call, the process will stall, and we will return to square one. Öcalan is taking the initiative, calling on all parties to act in accordance with this new process, aiming for its success. While everything may begin with Öcalan’s call, it will not end there. The state must quickly fulfil its responsibilities.
What guarantees this process?
This is a crucial question, and many rightfully ask it. The guarantee lies in the Kurds organised around Öcalan’s ideas and their own social and political strength.
What does this mean?
It means that the Kurds’ organisational, political, and social power is strong enough to be prepared for anything. They are not abandoning the struggle; rather, they are adapting and developing their methods to protect existing gains and achieve further victories.
What if the state exploits this opportunity to intensify attacks?
In that case, the Kurds will be ready to counter such attacks, and it will ultimately be the state that loses. For if the state misses this opportunity, it may never find such a favourable ground again. As many have said: This is the last chance!
In times like these, everyone has something to say. But what truly matters is the voice of those who have fought, will continue to fight, and have borne and will bear the costs.
After the statement and the call, there will be much more to discuss. Of course, this process carries significant risks. But the only way to mitigate these risks is to stand united, organise, and take ownership of the process.
For the Kurds, this is the guarantee. The Kurds possess a strategic mind aimed at securing victories for themselves and, naturally, for other peoples as well.
What will happen on 15 February?
On 15 February, Mr Abdullah Öcalan and his comrades on Imralı will declare, likely via a video message, that they are at the centre of the process (unless there is an intervention from the State).
And Öcalan will not withdraw after making the call; he will continue to be the mind, heart, and voice of the struggle.
We will increasingly be able to hear and see his messages, voice, and images.
* Amed Dicle was born and raised in Diyarbakır, Turkey. He has worked for Kurdish-language media outlets in Europe, including Roj TV, Sterk TV and ANF. His work has taken him to Rojava, Syria, Iraq and many countries across Europe. Follow him on X (twitter).
