The historic leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, sent several messages in the days when attacks on Rojava (northern Syria) were intensifying, addressed to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the Turkish state, and political figures in the Kurdistan Region.
According to a report by the Mesopotamia Agency, citing political sources familiar with the course of communications with İmralı Island, the information previously published by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) has been confirmed, and it has emerged that Öcalan exerted considerable effort throughout this process.
Based on the available information, during the course of the war Öcalan directed messages to the Syrian Democratic Forces, Kurdish political figures in the Kurdistan Region, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, as well as officials of the Turkish state.
Following the onset of the attacks on Aleppo, Öcalan warned that if the crisis were not resolved and the attacks continued, an extremely bloody scenario could emerge. He cautioned that this trajectory carries a dangerous potential that could turn the coming century into a Kurdish–Turkish–Arab war.
Öcalan also sent a message to the Syrian Democratic Forces stating that this situation can only be halted through dialogue and negotiations. It was further reported that he conveyed that if the Damascus administration were to move toward democracy, officially recognize the existence of the Kurds, and acknowledge the right to Kurdish political representation, the SDF could enter into a “democratic dialogue process.”
It was noted that Öcalan did not address his messages solely to the SDF, but also to Kurdish political forces such as the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), political figures in the Kurdistan Region, the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, and others, warning that the danger is extremely grave and calling for the protection of Rojava / Western Kurdistan on the basis of democratic unity.
Within this context, Öcalan also issued a warning to the Turkish state and authorities. According to the sources, he sent a message to the Turkish state and government stating: “Do not be part of the plan aimed at eliminating the Kurds,” warning that participation in the attacks would lead to major fractures and divisions, with severe and negative consequences.
As for the agreement announced on 30 January, the agency reported that it entered into force with the full support and will of Öcalan. It also emerged that Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani and the President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, Bafel Talabani, played an important role in this process, and that both leaders encouraged their respective parties to contribute to the successful conclusion of the agreement.
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