Piling Suruç is one of the commanders of the guerrilla offensive Cenga Xabûrê and spoke to ANF on the Turkish invasion that has been waged in the regions of Metina, Avashin and Zap since April 23. The guerrilla commander stated that the Turkish state's goal is to carry out genocide against the Kurdish people and occupy southern Kurdistan, like Iraqi dictator Saddam did. He is convinced that the guerrillas will also repel this occupation operation.

Month of the Martyrs

In his introduction, Piling Suruç pointed out that May is considered the month of the martyrs in the Kurdish liberation movement: "I commemorate Haki Karer and all our martyrs and bow down to them with respect. We have given our word to follow their footsteps with great determination. The level of our movement today is based on their struggle. The PKK is a movement of the martyrs, it has been built with them. For this reason, we are in their debt. We can only pay this debt by continuing their struggle."

"Prepared for the invasion"

Regarding the current occupation operation, the guerrilla commander stated, "Resistance is being mounted with the revolutionary offensives Cenga Xabûrê [Battle of Khabur] and Bazên Zagrosê [Hawks of Zagros]. We know what methods the Turkish state is using to wage war, how it is attacking the Kurdish movement and that it wants to occupy Kurdistan. In January, the Command Council of the HPG [People’s Defense Forces] gathered. At the meeting, there was a broad discussion on how the HPG will respond to the occupation attempts and what tactics will be used. So, we prepared for this situation and dealt with when and with what methods the Turkish state will attack. After our meeting, the first operation took place in Gare. According to the perspectives that came out of our assembly, the resistance led by Şoreş Beytüşşebap in Gare was a complete success and led to a break in the Turkish state."

Mixture of technological and psychological warfare

Piling Suruç went on to say that the Turkish state has been put under pressure by the resistance of Abdullah Öcalan on the prison island of Imrali, the political prisoners in Turkey and the guerrilla in the mountains. He said Turkey is relying on a mixture of technological and psychological warfare, and Turkish propaganda shows this. "However, our people and we know that our struggle against the Turkish state is not limited to today. The armed struggle has been going on for 37 years," the guerrilla commander said.

No retreat by the guerrillas

Regarding the Cenga Xabûrê offensive, the commander said, "In Metina, a huge war is taking place at the rocks of Kestê and at the Zendûra hill. So far, we have not retreated one step from our territories. Our people and the people of Turkey should know that Turkish propaganda is a psychological war. Turkish war is based on its technique. We can see what condition the soldiers are in. They can only stay on the hills thanks to technology, otherwise they would not be able to do it. Contrary to what the Turkish propaganda claims, we have only two casualties in the Xenga Xabûrê offensive so far.”

"Generals have come and gone, the PKK has remained"

Piling Suruç continued, “Erdoğan, Bahçeli and Hulusi Akar are making propaganda that they will destroy the PKK. However, this is not possible. Dozens of governments and generals have come and gone, but the PKK is stronger than ever. We have tactics against Turkish weapons technology, of course. Our renewal and change are far advanced. We show this with our fighting practice and our people see it too.

"War in Metina for hundreds of years"

Our people in the south (of Kurdistan) and especially the people of the Metina region should know that at Zendûra, at the rocks of Kestê and in Hirorê there is the blood of our people on every stone and on every meter of ground for hundreds of years. War has always taken place in these areas. When the Turkish state carries out an occupation operation here, it is not only about the PKK and the guerrillas. Just as our people in the south and the Peshmerga were attacked under the Saddam dictatorship, the Erdogan dictatorship wants to commit genocide against the Kurdish people today. The PKK is only a pretext for this.

"As guerrillas we bear responsibility"

Every part of our soil and forests are being bombed and burned with artillery fire. This must be seen by all. If it is not seen and not protested against, the Turkish state will feel emboldened and continue to act with genocidal methods. As guerrillas of the Kurdish people, we have a responsibility here. We will always defend our country. The Turkish state will always face our fighters who are ready for sacrifice.

The propaganda of the Turkish state media has no influence on us. We see the reality. It would be desirable that all could see the war here with their own eyes and witness the reality. Those who remain silent about this are acting irresponsibly. Kurdistan is being occupied before everyone's eyes. The only obstacle to the realization of the neo-Ottoman dreams is the guerrilla. We are convinced that we can crush this operation as well. Our ambition and determination are accordingly.

As in Afrin and Serêkaniyê

I would like to appeal to the people of Metina in particular. No one should leave their homes and villages under pressure from the Turkish state and other agencies. The situation in Afrin and Serêkaniyê [Ras al-Ain] is well known: The Turkish state has placed its jihadist mercenaries in all depopulated villages and looted houses. It is important that our people protest against this and act against the occupation with national feelings. If the people act together with the guerrilla, the occupation will be ended within a short time. It is our country Kurdistan that is being occupied. Especially the youth of this region should participate in the guerrilla resistance.

Peshmerga must not allow itself to be instrumentalized

We also appeal to the peshmerga. Like the guerrilla, they should fulfill their mission and fight shoulder to shoulder with us. The peshmerga, who do not have the opportunity to do so, should at least not hinder the guerrilla. They should not allow themselves to be instrumentalized in this war, even by providing information about the guerrilla areas.

The Turkish state must understand that our struggle is continuing and that it will not be able to move a step forward. It will never be able to relax. In any case, there are no guerrillas in the areas where they are deployed, which are high meadows where the people grazes their cattle. From there, they are trying to expand the occupation, but the guerrillas won't allow it. Success is ours, we will win.”

RELATED NEWS: