In this in-depth interview, Duran Kalkan, member of the KCK Executive Council, spoke about the current discussions surrounding the Kurdish question and the first visit to Imrali after 43 months.

Kalkan also spoke about the democratic nation as a solution to the problems in Turkey and the Middle East. As Kalkan stated: "The physical freedom of [Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan] is no longer a discussion, a thought, or an evaluation. It has become a concrete, practical, political goal that must be realized. It has become such a concrete agenda. We must continue our mobilized struggle to realize this. Our call and invitation is to this struggle."

After 43 months without any sign of life from Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Ocalan, a meeting has now taken place for the first time. What has this achieved? And above all, what will happen now? How do you evaluate the meeting and what Abdullah Öcalan said?

I greet Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] with respect. Finally, at the end of the 43rd month, since there had been no contact with him, there was again a meeting with him. He saw his nephew on October 23.

There is a change, even if partially and not completely, there is a change. We were informed about the health condition of Rêber Apo, and we received his greetings. Even this was already enough to change the atmosphere. Receiving Rêber Apo’s greetings, hearing his voice, and learning about his health affected the whole atmosphere in a different way. All the democratic forces, women, young people, our people, and our international friends are full of enthusiasm and excitement. At the same time, it has also strongly affected the political environment. This clearly indicates the level of influence of Rêber Apo. Despite all his opponents’ claims to the contrary, it shows how much influence Rêber Apo has on society, on democratic circles, on women, youth, workers, and laborers, on peoples, and how much influence he has generally on politics. This needs to be underlined once and for all.

This was achieved through struggle. It is a result brought about by a 26-year struggle against this international conspiracy. It is a result of the struggle against the Imrali system of torture, isolation, and genocide. In a narrower sense, it is a result of the global freedom campaign that was launched on October 10, 2023. At the end of its first year, the campaign had taken an important step towards breaking the isolation. Regarding the campaign, we have stated previously that the process is now moving towards getting results. Let’s be hopeful about this. Indeed, this is a start. Struggle yields results; through struggle, achievements are created. This is a fact that can be seen clearly in the current situation.

In this sense, on behalf of our party, I congratulate everyone who participated in the global freedom campaign ‘Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan, a Political Solution to the Kurdish Question’, which has recently entered its second year. I salute their struggle. An important phase in this struggle has started and will continue. Our hope, faith, and will must be strengthened therefore.

In one sentence, Rêber Apo has put forward an attitude that will give answers to everyone and open new discussions. This is very important. There were several calls on him, and he responded to them. He said that he has the theoretical and practical power to carry the solution of the Kurdish question to the legal and political arena. On this basis, he refuted those who said that he has no power, that he cannot do anything, that the organization would not listen, that the people would not listen and similar things. He showed his power. Following that, our co-presidency, on behalf of our movement and our people, declared that they would support and stand behind every step and every attitude that Rêber Apo would develop.

What did this show? That in this situation the Kurds stand together as a whole and that they are open and ready for all kinds of democratic, political solutions, negotiations, and discussions. This was clearly shown. It silenced those who tried to cause confusion. The real situation is obvious. There are those who listen and follow up on the developments and who understand, but surely there are also those who evaluate the situation and try to put forward attitudes to confuse in order to personally profit. The question is, What is happening now? How can Rêber Apo play his role? There were those who called on Rêber Apo to play a role, and he said he is ready and has the power to do so. But of course, it is necessary to create suitable conditions for this. Of course, this cannot happen in isolation from the world in Imrali. Because active work is necessary. It requires a 24-hour effort. Relations with everyone are necessary. It is necessary to get everyone’s opinion. In this respect, it cannot happen in the system of torture, isolation, and genocide in Imrali. If they really want Rêber Apo to play a role and not just uphold this agenda as part of their special warfare, then they have to create the right conditions. There is no way around this. If they do not create these conditions, it will not inspire confidence.

The current situation does not inspire much confidence and everyone is looking at all the calls that are being made with great skepticism and questioning where they are coming from. The conditions for Rêber Apo’s health, safety and freedom of work must be ensured. Our co-presidency has pointed this out already.

Rêber Apo needs to be able to meet with everyone, and everyone wants to see him. As leadership of this movement, we, of course, also want to see him. Otherwise, one person alone cannot do anything but can develop a movement and pioneer society. In this regard, Rêber Apo has determined his stance and revealed his power. Now it is necessary to create the appropriate conditions. Of course, Rêber Apo cannot create this. Those outside of it have to do this. The whole public has seen the clear attitude, everyone, all of us. The duty falls on all of us except Rêber Apo. The task of creating these favorable conditions is all ours. It is ours; we must struggle accordingly. This duty also belongs to those who created the Imrali system, those who made the call. So they themselves will have to make changes. They will have to change their existing attitude.

To emphasize that once again. Rêber Apo is the only one who can realize a democratic political solution to the Kurdish question, who can ensure peace in Turkey, and who can lead such a process. Rêber Apo represents the Kurdish people’s will for freedom and democracy. He is the negotiator. No one should obscure the situation with empty words and create confusion. This is the reality on the Kurdish side, and we underline this once again on this occasion.

What did Rêber Apo say? He said the isolation continues. The isolation continues; that is true. The isolation is the 26-year Imrali torture and genocide system. It is the system itself. We need to develop the struggle much stronger and more effective to break the isolation and to ensure the physical freedom of Rêber Apo. This should be a call, an instruction for all of us. If there is isolation, and you want change, if you want a solution to develop, if you want Rêber Apo to play a role, then you will have to struggle against this isolation; you will have to develop the struggle further. We have seen once again that this is necessary.

No one should be complacent because there was one meeting with Rêber Apo, and he is in good health. The isolation has not been broken. The situation is not normal. Undoubtedly, one must be more sensitive, more careful, and more organized in the way of struggle. The global freedom campaign aiming at the physical freedom of Rêber Apo must spread more widely and effectively everywhere. The struggle must be strengthened. There must never be any regression in the struggle. Everything depends on the physical freedom of Rêber Apo. Without this realization, no concrete development could take place. The duty falls on us. We must develop the struggle much more effectively and strongly. We have entered the second year of the mass struggle. It started in Amed and spread all over the world. Kurds and their international friends, democratic circles, and all the peoples, particularly women and young people, struggled very intensely. But more is necessary. More effective methods need to be used. Every day and every opportunity must be utilized. There is a struggle in all four parts of Kurdistan, and there are struggles all over the world. In Europe, there are currently big mobilizations ongoing. Protests are planned every day. On November 10th, there will be a demonstration in Britain. On November 16th, there will be a demonstration and rally in Cologne. Women and men, young and old, children, patriots, all Kurds, all democrats must participate in this struggle. Everyone needs to be involved. Women and young people in particular should mobilize to lead this struggle. We must once again take the strongest stance in Cologne. The previous Cologne rally was a turning point in this struggle. This rally should be a new turning point. This is the goal.

The physical freedom of Rêber Apo is no longer a discussion, a thought, or an evaluation. It has become a concrete, practical, political goal that must be realized. It has become such a concrete agenda. We must continue our mobilized struggle to realize this. Our call and invitation is to this struggle.

To come back to the situation in Turkey in more detail at this stage. It is the MHP, of all parties, that has most recently put the issue on the agenda. How should this be understood?

Not only the MHP, in fact, in this process, unlike in the past, almost all major parties have participated and expressed their opinions. We wanted to take them seriously and evaluate them cautiously. We would have liked that. But their approach was never reassuring. Everyone discussed what kind of new game they were playing. Everyone who was asked on the street in Amed and Wan in Kurdistan was distrustful. They said that all these calls and speeches were part of their special war tactics. Our leadership warned about this, saying that we react sensitively to all their special warfare tactics. We have taken a certain experience from the past on this issue so that no one would try to play tricks on us again. But recently, it has really gotten a bit sloppy. There is also a very volatile situation.

Some people use that action as a justification. But regarding this, the HPG has made the necessary explanations. The ones who conducted the action in fact explained it themselves. They say that their aim is to strengthen the cause of Rêber Apo. Some people say that the action was a provocation against the movement, against Rêber Apo. The ones who conducted the action have already revealed beforehand that there is nothing like that.

It’s a war, it’s going on, and it hasn’t ended, and there are no binding agreements. Do people not understand that they are trying to use this as an excuse? Our leadership has clearly shown that the action has no connection to the current processes. That is the truth. Nobody has issued an order that this action is to be carried out at that particular time. Those who set the time and carried out the action are the ones who did the action themselves. Obviously, they could not have known that a meeting with Rêber Apo would take place at that time. That should be clear.

What I want to say is that there is no ambiguity in this respect. The action should not be taken as a pretext to block the process that has been started. It is actually a warning to see the gravity of the situation and to see how deep the current state of war and conflict is. However, it has spoiled the game of many of those who approached it within the scope of the special war. Now that their games have been shattered by the action, they are trying to free themselves from the situation they have slipped into by blaming others and transferring responsibility to others. This is not acceptable.

Indeed, we have heard new things from both Devlet Bahceli and Ozgur Ozel. They are talking about the Kurds and the Kurdish question. Ozgur Ozel, the new chairman of the CHP, spoke in Amed about a democratic solution, the participation of the whole society, and opening the way for democratic politics on this basis. These were important, positive, new evaluations. The old ones are known. Kurds were not accepted. They have come to the point where they accept Kurdish existence. This happened through struggle. There is no need to re-examine that. But the result is at this level. Regarding the CHP chairman, it would be good if he continued his trip in Kurdistan. He shouldn’t just meet with officials or institutions or those in charge of institutions there. It would be good if he joined the people, listened to Kurdish people, women, young people, shopkeepers… What do Kurds really think? Because, as he said, nothing can happen unless the Kurds want it and accept it. So what do the Kurds want? He should look there.

Now it is necessary to explain this to Turkish public opinion. It should not be handled one way in Amed and another in Ankara and Istanbul. Everyone needs to be informed correctly. That is what we recommend.

What is not needed is an approach driven by complexes toward Rêber Apo. This is not a positive attitude. So many people are talking about him, evaluating his position. He has struggled so much and produced so much thought. He has so many supporters in the world. One needs to be respectful. Is he doing this for his own benefit? Is he staying 26 years in the Imrali torture center for his own benefit? One must be consistent in his/her words and his/her attitude. The reality of Rêber Apo and the Kurdish question should not be used for political interests. It is wrong to take it for daily political interests.

What I want to say is that there is not much to say because there is nothing concrete. We want things to develop, and we follow developments closely in order to understand. Our attitude has not changed. But what we have also seen is that there are many circles that benefit from the existence of the Kurdish question and the war that goes with it. The discussions that come from these circles are of no use. We don’t know if it will in the future.

Those who profit from war and those who wage it may not be the same. The profiteers are afraid that the war will end, that the question will be resolved and that they will lose their interests. They do not love Turkey. They are just afraid of losing their interests. We have seen this once again.

There is an important group of people who are profiteering from this war. They also say that what Devlet Bahceli is talking about, he shouldn’t. The MHP has been on one side of this war for forty years. Everyone should know and see this. It goes beyond Devlet Bahceli. We know very well who is fighting on the front. Because the essence of this struggle is a struggle of mentality, an ideological struggle. The ideology of democratic thought on the basis of Kurdish freedom, the ideology of patriotism is in conflict with nationalism, sexism and statism. It conflicts with imperialism. It is necessary to take a stance against these profiteers. It is necessary to expose them. First of all, if something is to develop, it is necessary to expose and unmask them. Then other developments can happen. Because they are very provocative. They spread all kinds of lies. They have nothing to do with the truth. They talk as if they know everything when they know nothing. They talk so much about the PKK that they have no knowledge about. They deceive people, they brainwash them. In order not to lose their interests.

Let’s move on to the war in Kurdistan. You have already mentioned the action in Ankara. How is the guerrilla resistance against the colonialist-occupying Turkish army going in general? Also, with a view to the effects of the recent attacks on North and East Syria, as well as on Shengal (Sinjar)…

The HPG and YJA Star regularly give statements about the state of war. The central headquarters command also made extensive evaluations of this ten-year period and gave detailed information. We have nothing to add to them. There were also opinions, evaluations, calls and searches for solutions that we agreed with and have nothing to add to.

What can one say apart from that? There was the attack against TUSAŞ on October 23rd in Ankara; the fedai action. It is a continuation of the action that took place in Ankara on October 1 last year. This action, of course, brought this process to a new peak. It made everyone think about war once again. It shook the colonialist, fascist, and genocidal front. It was a new peak, a new culmination of the guerrilla struggle. A militarily complete and successful action in all aspects. In this respect, I commemorate with respect, love, and gratitude the comrades Asya Ali and Rojger Hêlîn who carried out the action. They were indeed excellent and successful in implementing the philosophy that was pioneered by comrade Zilan. They walked in the footsteps of Sara and Rûken, Rojhat and Erdal. They successfully continued their tradition.

The action was also successful in terms of its results. It aimed at a military target. The place where the machines that have been carrying out massacres in Kurdistan for years are produced. There cannot be a more military place than this. Calling it civilian would be far from reality.

The action symbolized the fedai spirit of Rêber Apo’s philosophy at its peak. It shows the truth to all of us. It clearly reveals what the spirit of the new period should be like and what kind of militant spirit the Kurdistan freedom struggle can achieve.

Of course, this is not the only action of the guerrillas. There were statements and information made on behalf of our central headquarters command. Comrade Cemal and Zozan gave statements in this regard. The war continues in northern Kurdistan, where there are clashes in every region. The enemy is dealt heavy blows, and the guerrillas also give martyrs. There has been increasing activity in the Medya Defense Areas recently. Effective blows have been struck recently on the Bahar and Cûdî mountain in Zap.

On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the martyrdom of our immortal commander, comrade Beritan, there were and still are actions in every area of Zap, and also from Metina to Xakurke. A great resistance is also continuing in the Medya Defense Zones.

Our headquarters command stated that the enemy had locked itself while they were trying to lock up the guerrillas with their colonialist and occupationist attacks. They said that they would finish their job by mid-summer, then they corrected themselves, saying that they would finish the guerrilla by November; well, now it is November. This time they will say that they will achieve their goal in March, mid-summer, or next November. This is how it goes on. It has been going on like this for forty years. It started back then. After the actions in Eruh and Şemdinli on 15 August 1984, they said that in twenty-four hours they would destroy the armed forces. Twenty-four hours ended, forty-eight hours ended, seventy-two hours ended, and then they cut the clock.

This has been going on ever since. The situation of the guerrillas, its struggle, its spirit of resistance, its state of self-renewal, the line of resistance in the Medya Defense Zones, and the line of resistance in northern Kurdistan are all evaluated by our headquarters. The daily developments are announced to the public every day and without reduction. A great resistance and war is waging. Our comrades widely evaluated it. There is no need to repeat it. But I can say this. On behalf of our party leadership, I once again greet all HPG and YJA Star guerrillas, commanders, and fighters who are fighting heroically. And I commemorate with respect, love, and gratitude the heroic martyrs of the resistance, particularly the resistance in Zap, Avashin, Metina, and Xakurke.

Regarding the enemy, the fact that they are searching for some new options and new ways is already a sign that they are deadlocked in the war, that they locked themselves in. The current process is a result of that. All the discussions and all those politicians now rising up and voicing their opinions does not just come out of the blue.

It was October 30, 2014, when the decision on the so-called ‘collapse action plan’ was taken. Ten years have passed since then. Now everyone is saying that the collapse plan itself has collapsed. And those who implemented it have collapsed. The plan failed very clearly. The AKP administration had prepared it, and later the MHP was also involved. Then they included the KDP, and today they also include Iraq. They are trying to get support from everyone. They go to Washington and Moscow. Now they are trying to involve China as well. They have set the goal of destroying the PKK and crushing the guerrillas. The result of the last ten years is obvious; they have failed. The PKK is standing firm, and the guerrillas are standing firm, fighting on all fronts. And it is giving the fascist, colonialist, and occupationist forces, the AKP-MHP hordes, a real challenge. This is a clear fact.

We did not declare war on the AKP-MHP in 2014/15. We did not break the process that started in 2013. Tayyip Erdoğan himself broke it by saying, “I don’t recognize it.” In March and April 2015, it was revealed that they themselves had made a plan and were preparing for war. They set themselves the goal of destroying the PKK. In order to do this militarily, in the last ten years they have taken the power of all the states of the world. They made the Kurdish betrayal their vanguard. They totally collaborated, did not listen to any law or morality of war, and resorted to all kinds of ostracized methods and forbidden means. They carried out the most brutal attacks. And the result is failure. The AKP-MHP attacks based on the collapse plan have been defeated. They have failed. They have to accept it themselves. If they don’t and don’t develop an attitude accordingly, they will suffer more damage. This is the truth of the matter.

We don’t know what they plan or how they plan to adjust their attitude. But it has become clear that they will not be able to insist on the current plan. That’s why many circles are trying to hit the reverse. They make calls and say, “You cannot achieve success with the current method.” But can they show that wisdom? Can they put forward such a will? Can they have such a common sense approach? We don’t know. If not, they have already put Turkey into a disaster. No one else can pull it out now. They themselves will have done the greatest evil.

He started to talk about loving the Kurds, but at the same time, he is attacking Shengal (Sinjar) and Rojava. They cut off the Kurds’ water and electricity, slaughtered them, and boasted about it. So let’s discuss and talk about these attacks. What are they really aimed at? They carried out their most intense attacks. Their game is broken. It seems that these calls and so on were meant to loosen the resistance. When their first-hand, impetuous game is broken, they attack in anger. They justify their attacks on Rojava, Shengal, and other places with guerrilla action in Ankara. It is very strange. The guerrilla action in Ankara is a full-fledged military action. It does not harm civilians. It is an action in accordance with the law of war. But it is obvious that they do deliberately target civilians. The attacks they carried out in Shengal and Rojava are clear. They do not comply with any laws, morals, or rules of war. As a whole, they hit civilians, children, houses, and living facilities. Now what does the protest in Ankara have to do with massacring the Kurdish people in Rojava and Shengal? They were already doing it before. They always did the same in northern Kurdistan, in the Medya Defense Areas, in Afrin, in Serekaniye, and generally in Rojava and Shengal. They have supposedly found a justification for themselves. It is a war crime. They are committing crimes and massacres in front of everyone’s eyes.

There is indeed an important stance and resistance of the people against this. I salute the resistance of the people and the freedom forces of North and East Syria. I especially salute the actions of the liberation forces of Afrin. They have both the right and the duty to wage all kinds of struggles. There is no other way. What has been done to Afrin is obvious; we cannot neither forget nor forgive any of this. At this point, the US on the one hand and Russia on the other, both as heads of the statist system, immediately said that they support Turkey, even before the action in Ankara was even reflected in the press. Now massacres are taking place in Rojava and in Shengal.

What is happening in Gaza and elsewhere is being discussed, and the Israeli administration said that they are criticized, while no one questions what happens in North and East Syria. It was almost as if he had said that they were just doing what they learned from them. That is what Hitler admitted in the past. There is a similar situation. If Kurds protest against colonialists and genocide perpetrators, this is a crime; they have no right to do so. But if the Turks are hitting the Kurds, it is their right; they hit them as they wish. No one opposes this. Where is justice? Is this rightful, lawful? Is this the justice and law of today’s world system? Damn such a world system. Such an unjust, unfair, and cruel system is a system that will not benefit anyone. It will not benefit its owners in the end either. It is important to underline this.

The occupying Turkish state is committing massacres and genocide. It mainly wants to depopulate North and East Syria. It wants to drive out the Kurdish society there, as well as the other peoples who live together with the Kurds along the lines of a democratic nation. This is the purpose of these attacks. This must not be given any opportunity; it must be opposed. The enemy wants to drive away the people there. All people, especially the young, should embrace their land and embrace their villages. If we are going to die, we are going to die on our land.

Our graves remain here, and our bones remain here. There is nowhere else to go. We need to break these oppressors by resisting them. No one should leave behind their place, their homeland, but they should take precautions. Of course, they should take resistance orders. Of course they should and will struggle. No one can prevent them from fighting. But the peoples of North and East Syria have gained experience; they have learned. They have been at war for years; they have learned. They have also tasted the taste of life in freedom. It is valuable and meaningful to create a free life even through struggle and war. We need to make any effort for it. Therefore, no one should leave their homeland. There are many plans in this regard. These games should not be played. Resistance must be developed further.

November 1st is the 10th anniversary of World Kobane Day. Kobane was protected, survived, and came to this day with the efforts of all peoples, women, and young people all over the world. Everyone has contributed. The Rojava freedom revolution is everyone’s revolution. The reality of North and East Syria is a reality of hope for everyone. It shines like a light, a star for everyone. In the spirit of November 1st, I call out to those around the world who protected the revolution 10 years ago; today there is the same attack to crush the revolution. ISIS was attacking then. Today, the ones that created ISIS are attacking themselves. And they are attacking Kobane. The ruling and state forces are silent, but the peoples, women, young people, revolutionaries, democratic forces, left socialist forces all over the world must stand up once again with the spirit of Kobane on November 1st. They must claim their own revolution. Our call is on this basis.