The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) has published a comprehensive dossier on the KCK/PKK unilateral ceasefire and the earthquake in Kurdistan, Turkey and Syria.

On 6 February, two major earthquakes occurred seven hours apart in the Kurdish regions of Turkey (Northern Kurdistan). Considering the intensity of the earthquakes and the damage they caused, they are among the largest earthquakes witnessed by mankind in the last hundred years. These earthquakes caused extensive damage in the Kurdish populated areas, as well as in Turkish and Syrian cities.

The death toll is in the tens of thousands, the number of injured in the hundreds of thousands, and the number of people affected in excess of 13.5 million. The negligent attitude of both the Turkish and Syrian governments before the earthquake, and their failure to intervene in a timely manner after the earthquake have led to further human losses and a humanitarian crisis.

The KNK underlined in its report how "in a statement on Friday, February 9th, 2023, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), an umbrella organization of the Kurdish freedom movement of which the Kurdistan Workers party – PKK, is also a member, called for a halt of military actions in Turkey, in metropolises, and cities. “It is necessary to prevent the people from experiencing even more suffering in this affliction”, said Cemil Bayık, co-chairman of the executive council of the KCK."

Shortly after, the central headquarters of the People’s Defense Forces – HSM declared their support for the call of the KCK, for an immediate halt of military actions because of the earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border area."

The KNK report also underlined that the "KCK's call sends an important message for peace in light of the terrible earthquake disaster that has struck Kurdistan, Turkey, and northern Syria. At the same time, Bayik and the KCK made it clear that the attitude of the Turkish state would be of central importance in the implementation of this decision."

The full dossier can be downloaded here