The three-day conference titled “Peace and Stability in the Middle East through the ideas of Abdullah Öcalan” in Southern Kurdistan’s Sulaimani city ended on July 21. A delegation from among participants, who include academics, authors, human rights defenders, activists and lawyers, visited the HPG/YJA-Star guerrillas in Kirkuk. The delegation was welcomed by Makhmur- Kirkuk YJA-STAR State Commander Çiğdem Doğu, Makhmur- Kirkuk HPG State Commander Selim Zilan as well as guerrillas.

'ÖCALAN'S FREEDOM ESSENTIAL FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST'

In a speech addressing to guerrillas, Nelson Mandela's lawyer and International Peace and Reconciliation Initiative member Judge Essa Moosa said they as conference participants from South Africa, America, Lebanon, India and Palestine were happy to meet with the guerrillas.

Moosa stressed that they attached great importance to Öcalan's freedom for peace in Kurdistan and the Middle East, and that they supported the Kurdish Freedom Struggle.

'WE'LL TELL OUR PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR STRUGGLE'

Essa Moosa stated that they will tell their people about the Kurdish people's resistance and struggle for freedom once they are back home after the conference.

Moosa said; "We are also waging a struggle against the dominant powers in South Africa. Our leader Nelson Mandela resisted in prison for years and tried to resolve the problems through dialogue in prison, just like Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan is doing today. I hope talks with Mr. Öcalan re-begin and problems are resolved through dialogue. The Kurdish people should attain freedom just like the African people did in 1994. We support you and your freedom struggle. I hope Mr. Öcalan attains his freedom in the shortest time and plays a greater role for peace."

'ÖCALAN CAN LEAD THE REVOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE WORLD'

Speaking after, Samuel Jordan said he has learned much from the Kurdish Fredeom Struggle, adding; "We demand freedom for Öcalan who can lead the revolutionary initiatives in the Middle East and the world. Our goal is to act together with the organisations waging a revolutionary struggle. I believe revolution will come to these lands."

'WE ARE COMFORTABLE HOME THANKS TO THOSE FIGHTING ISIS'

Tunisian woman activist Selva Giga thanked the guerrillas for the freedom struggle they wage against the ISIS, saying; "As a Tunisian citizen, it hurts me deeply to see Tunisians joining ISIS and killing people. During the past three days, I have seen the people that are giving an effective struggle against ISIS and protecting the human dignity. If I can live comfortable in Tunisia today, I owe this to you who are fighting the ISIS. I thank you all and wish you success."

'ÖCALAN IS THE ONLY PERSON I REGARD AS A PHILOSOPHER'

Abbas Hüseyini from Lebanon remarked that Öcalan was a leader that followed Lebanon closely and he voiced happiness over Öcalan's stay in Lebanon for years, stressing that the Kurdish leader is the only person he regarded as a philosopher around the world.

Hüseyini said; "In my opinion, it is you that are giving a revolutionary struggle on the highest level. I would like you to know that the peoples in the Middle East appreciate your struggle today and their hearts are with you who are defending our history and future. I wish you success in your struggle and pay my respects."

'ÖCALAN IS THE LEADER OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND WORLD PEOPLES'

Iranian writer Bahman Rahmani also voiced great happiness and pride over their visit to the guerrillas, saying that PKK has been fighting for freedom and human dignity for over 40 years now.

Rahmani stressed that Öcalan and PKK are giving a struggle in the name of the whole Middle East and world peoples and humanity.

'WE ARE PROUD OF YOUR STRUGGLE'

Leo Saldanha from the International Development in India conveyed the revolutionary greetings of the Indian people, pointing out that Kurdish guerrillas are giving an unprecedented revolutionary freedom struggle for all the world peoples, and fighting an inhuman organisation like ISIS.

"This honorable struggle of yours is not for the Kurdish people alone, it is also for the whole humanity. On this basis, we are greatly inspired by your struggle and we are proud of it", Saldanha added.

'MIDDLE EAST REVOLUTION CAN BE REALIZED ON THE BASIS OF LEADER APO'S PHILOSOPHY'

Speaking after, Makhmur- Kirkuk YJA-STAR State Commander Çiğdem Doğu said they welcome the delegation wholeheartedly and greatly value the delegation's messages of solidarity among peoples. Doğu said they also attach great importance to the conference with regards to the freedom of the Kurdish leader and people in this process of aggravated isolation imposed on Öcalan.

Doğu continued; "We can realize the revolution of freedom in the event of uniting around Leader Apo's philosophy and paradigm against the capitalist and fascist system. Despite being from different countries and identities, we all suffer the same pain; from capitalism, fascism, male-dominant system and exploitation of women and labor, and the massacres all these lead up to. Leader Apo's philosophy and paradigm constitutes a resolution to all these problems, a revolutionary model in Kurdistan and also a resolution model for the oppressed people in the Middle East and the world. In this regard, it is of great importance that we unite on this basis and build our own free living system."

Doğu underlined that they value and appreciate the joint struggle highlighted by the delegation members, and voiced commitment to the realization of a revolution in the Middle East and the world based on the joint will of peoples against the dominant powers.