Xalid Qadir of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) has spoken to ANF on the Turkish attacks on South Kurdistan (Bashur) and the guerrillas' resistance. Contrary to the Turkish state's claims, the attacks are aimed at occupying all of Kurdistan, Qadir said, "The Turkish state wants to take away from all Kurds the gains they have earned. The Republic of Turkey is not merely at enmity with one party, it is enemy to all Kurds. This time, the Turkish state has created even more serious dangers with its attacks than in past operations.

Turkey has also attacked in various ways before. But the situation created by the current attacks is more dangerous than before, because the Turkish army is trying to build its own bases in strategically important places in Kurdistan. It wants to destroy the bridges between the different parts of Kurdistan at the same time. Its goal is to end the Kurds' struggle and subject them to a Turkish hegemony. Therefore, the Kurdish people must take a stance that is appropriate to this reality and show appropriate reactions to Turkish policies."

"The people should also be actively involved in this struggle"

According to Qadir, the resistance of the guerrillas in the mountains alone is not enough to prevent the occupation: "Yes, at the moment the guerrillas are letting the attacks of the Turkish state come to nothing. Therefore, in the end, victory will also belong to the guerrillas and the resistant Kurdish population. But in such a situation, it is necessary that more actions must be carried out among the population as well. All political and civil society organizations in Kurdistan must take a stand against the occupation and act.

To create a strong resistance to the occupation, the guerrilla struggle alone is not enough. The people should also be actively involved in this struggle. A strong public opinion must be created because our opponents are attacking with all their might to destroy the dignity and achievements of the Kurds.

With the attacks, the Turkish state is trying to create conflicts between the Kurds at the same time. It has been working for years to create a fratricidal war between the Kurds. However, through the work of the Kurdistan National Congress, these efforts have so far come to nothing."

Putting aside differing views and disagreements

According to Qadir, the claim by some Bashur politicians that this is a conflict "only with the PKK" and “not an attack on all Kurds” is not accepted by the population: "People do not believe these claims. The voices and reactions of the people in the streets and squares speak a clear language. The Kurds are taking a loud and determined stand against the occupation. But unfortunately, this does not apply to some political camps. In this situation, all political parties should actually have the same goal because the attacks of the Turkish state are not only for one party. Turkey's plan is aimed at occupying all of Kurdistan. The Turkish state is the greatest threat to the Kurds. In this situation, all Kurdish parties and organizations should put aside their different views and disagreements and come together as Kurds on the basis of common interests.

Turkey is hostile to all Kurds. That is why it is important to follow closely all the statements it makes. The Turkish state is not only building military bases in the mountains, it is also working to put Kurdistan under occupation culturally and geographically. The Turkish defense minister has announced the construction of military bases in Zap, Metina and Avashin. Wherever they want to build a base, their real goal is to occupy the place. The goal is a return to the borders of the National Pact [tr. “Misak-ı Millî," a manifesto from the last years of the Ottoman Empire, according to which large parts of Iraq and Syria were to be annexed to Turkey]. They see Kurdistan as their property and want to occupy it."