The People's Defense Forces (HPG) Command Council has concluded its annual meeting. In a statement after the end of the meeting, the Council said, "As the HPG Command Council, we held our regular annual meeting in these first days of spring, a time when we are entering a new period of struggle. The freedom struggle of our people is going through a very important phase. Therefore, our meeting was held with an expanded participation of 50 comrades representing all areas of struggle. Intensive discussions were held and important decisions were taken on the line of struggle based on the Apoist perspective. A political and military analysis of 2021 was conducted at our nine-day meeting. The current situation of the HPG in the areas of struggle was assessed and the necessary perspective was developed to make 2022 the year of victory in the freedom struggle of our people. For this purpose, the struggle for the year ahead was planned and the military tactics for this period were determined."

"The collapse of the fascist regime is only a matter of time"

The statement by the Command Council continued: "As is known, the Kurdistan freedom struggle, which developed under the leadership of our party, the PKK, experienced a peak in 2021 and manoeuvred Turkish colonial fascism into one of the most hopeless situations in its history. The Gare resistance at the beginning of the year and the subsequent upsurge of resistance that culminated with the Bazên Zagrosê, Cenga Xabûrê and Egîdê Botanê offensives destroyed the enemy's plans and deepened the crisis of the colonial fascist system.

We underline that this crisis situation of the system is not only a military one, but also includes deep political, social and economic problems. At our assembly, it was stated that the AKP/MHP regime has used up all the reserves of the country to get out of this situation. Especially in the military field, it concealed its situation and carried out intensive special war and discourse influencing operations towards the public. In contrast, it was stated that the collapse of the fascist regime is only a matter of time if we carry out the necessary tasks of the struggle.

Our assembly dealt intensively with the ideological, political and tactical problems that have arisen in the struggle against the borderless fascism that the AKP/MHP regime has been engaged in and the oppression that the regime is carrying out, as well as those that have arisen in the struggle against the attacks of the hegemonic powers of capitalist modernity, and has achieved very important results in this regard. Facing the reality of a war in the scientific and technological era, the Kurdish People's Defense Forces have defined their role and mission and clarified the war and struggle line of the guerrilla of democratic modernity. Our assembly took place in a strong attitude of criticism and self-criticism and was thus able to reach the level to take serious decisions. Thus, it forms the basis for the creation of a freedom guerrilla that will be victorious in 2022 in the struggle on the basis of commitment to our martyrs and their experiences and of Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan]. In this sense, the determination to answer any attack on our people, our forces and Rêber Apo, from whomsoever it may come, in the sacrificial Apoist spirit, to take action and to succeed became clear once again.

Another important issue that came to light through the 2021 struggle was the Turkish special war tactic of using the line of Kurdish collaboration more actively to bring about an internal Kurdish war. At our meeting, the KDP’s collaboration with AKP/MHP fascism, which is waging a war of extermination in Kurdistan, and the resulting casualties were assessed as the most serious issue. The importance of thwarting these special war plans of the enemy was underlined. Stopping fighting among Kurds and preventing it must be considered as a national responsibility. It must be prepared together for any positive or negative eventuality. Success in this is absolutely necessary under any condition. On this basis, it was determined to take effective measures and use the national and democratic line of Rêber Apo as a basis for this.

"We will guarantee the freedom of Rêber Apo"

The decisions of our assembly, which was successfully concluded at this important and critical stage of our struggle, are an important step towards success in 2022. The results of our resistance against the attacks of the Turkish invading forces in 2021, especially in Gare-Siyanê, Zendûra, Mamreşo, Girê Sor and Werxelê, have set the course for the year of struggle 2022. We underline that if we act creatively as a movement and people on the basis of these experiences and the perspective of the people's revolutionary war, we will undoubtedly achieve even greater victories. It was decided that the only yardstick is the victory over the international conspiracy and the physical freedom of Rêber Apo and the tasks of the time are based on this.

As the defense forces of all Kurdistan, we declare our determination, in the spirit of the commanders who fell last year, including Cumali Çorum, Şoreş Beytüşşebap, Rêber Zana, Hewram Avyer, Nûjîn Amed, Zerdeşt Navdar, Şîlan Goyî, Egîd Bismil, Diljîn Marya, Nûjîn Koçer, Hêjar Urfa, Serhat Giravî, Botan Özgür, Munzur Dersim and Çavrê Kamuran, and with their courage to continue on the way for the freedom of our people and Rêber Apo and to achieve success. We wish all comrades, our dear people, the friends of our people and all fighting forces outstanding success in this historic phase of the struggle."