HPG’s Qandil State Commander Suruç Hawar spoke to ANF about the international conspiracy against Kurdish leader Öcalan, which marked its 23rd year, as well as the guerrilla resistance and objectives for 2022.

Suruç remarked that the resistance of the Kurdistan freedom guerrillas in 2021 was based on completely frustrating the International Conspiracy and added that the Turkish state is very likely to attack in 2022. “We are ready for possible attacks this year.”

Suruç commemorated the martyrs who set their bodies on fire for Öcalan under the motto “You cannot darken our sun” following the international conspiracy on February 15, 1999. “For every single year that Öcalan has been kept in prison for the last 23 years, we should do a self-criticism. As the guerrilla forces and PKK militants, we bear the responsibility to ensure the physical freedom of Leader Öcalan. This is our duty. Therefore, it is not enough to condemn the conspiratorial forces, the important thing is to raise the resistance against these forces and physically liberate Öcalan,” the HPG commander said.

'INTERNATIONAL CONSPIRACY IS COMPREHENSIVE AND FAR-REACHING'

Suruç reminded that leaders have faced conspiracies various times in the history of Kurdistan. “For this reason, the conspiracy against Öcalan is in fact directed at the Kurdish people, it is neither the first nor will it be the last one. However, the conspiracy against Öcalan is unprecedented in our history. Because previously, it was mainly about foreign powers not keeping their promises and suppressing serhildans (Kurdish uprisings). In this regard, the conspiracy against the Kurdish leader is more comprehensive and far-reaching. The Turkish state had tried to eliminate Öcalan through conspiracies and assassinations several times before, but these were frustrated owing to his prudence.”

The HPG commander pointed out that the states led by the USA, Israel, Russia and Greece were involved in the international conspiracy on February 15, 1999, stating, “We should not forget the support given by the reactionary Kurdish forces. Moreover, some betrayers and confessors, such as Şemdi Sakık, who fled our movement, targeted Öcalan. These confessors told the Turkish state that our movement would not be eliminated without eliminating Öcalan first.”

'ÖCALAN IS A RED LINE FOR GUERILLAS'

Suruç stated that even though the international conspiracy resulted in the physical captivity of Öcalan, the conspiratorial forces could not achieve their objectives. “In fact, Turkey itself was not ready for the imprisonment of Öcalan, and Ecevit, the then Prime Minister, admitted it. Therefore, this conspiracy was also directed against the peoples of Turkey. The imperialist powers knew that Öcalan was a red line for the Kurdish people and wanted to use him to cause strife between the Turkish and Kurdish people. However, Öcalan frustrated the conspiracy and prevented wars and conflicts between peoples.”

Suruç reminded that Öcalan paved the way for democratic politics and the ceasefires, adding, “At that time, all HPG guerrillas volunteered for actions of self-sacrifice, but they were stopped at the request of Öcalan. Öcalan represents a red line for the guerrilla forces, just like the Kurdish people. He prevented larger and more effective actions since he had deeper foresight and prudence.”

'ISOLATION OF ÖCALAN

Suruç also spoke about the ongoing imprisonment of the Kurdish leader for 23 years now, saying, “When it is a matter between the oppressors and the oppressed, there is no such thing as law. Everyone turns a blind eye to what the Kurdish people are going through in the person of Öcalan. It seems that they have decided to terminate the Kurdish people in the person of Öcalan, and the conspiracy is still continuing in the same manner.”

Suruç remarked that the international conspiracy is still not completely over, even though it has not achieved its goals and objectives. Pointing to the guerrilla resistance in 2021, he continued, “The resistance mounted by the guerrilla forces, especially in Werxelê, Metîna, Zendura, Girê Sor and Şehit Serdar Hill, was actually to frustrate the conspiracy against Öcalan. We should not forget that our fighters became martyrs in 2021 for this objective, because those who are not aware of the truth of history and the people, and those who are not loyal to Öcalan, cannot resist. The resistance spirit that Öcalan gave shape within the HPG guerrillas has remained pervasive. They thought that the guerrillas would not be able to resist if Öcalan were subjected to aggravated isolation and separated from the guerrilla forces and his people, but they were wrong about that. Even if they keep Öcalan under severe isolation, he is in our minds and souls. The Turkish state and the public should recognize this reality.”

Suruç argued that the Turkish state is likely to attack in 2022. “We are ready for possible attacks this year. Even if they attack us with all their tanks, artillery, planes and even chemical weapons, they cannot break us from our faith and our goal, and they cannot weaken our loyalty to Öcalan. If you are ready to resist attacks mentally, psychologically, militarily and ideologically, no power can defeat you.”

'GUERILLAS ARE ALSO FIGHTING AGAINST CONSPIRATORIAL POWERS'

Suruç emphasized that those who support the Turkish state by providing all kinds of weapons, specifically chemical weapons, are the very same forces that were involved in the international conspiracy. “In this respect, we are actually fighting these forces which favour the sovereign and colonialist mentality. The oppressed peoples have thus come together around the ideas of Öcalan. Scientists and world-leading experts also endorse Öcalan’s cause. This shows the level the resistance of the freedom guerrillas has reached.”

Suruç stated that the forces that do not fight and cannot resist to cope with the problems of the 21st century do not have the right to speak about their demands. "The PKK has proven itself in this matter as well,” he added.

“On the 24th year of the conspiracy, the guerrilla forces will make any sacrifice so that Öcalan is not held captive anymore. We are ready militarily and ideologically, and our people are also ready for it. We see that the oppressed peoples are also ready. We have everything, ideas and ideology for victory,” the HPG commander concluded.