Şimal Ülkem Güneş, PAJK Coordination member, spoke to ANF about the massacre committed by the Turkish state in the city of Zakho in South Kurdistan.

Reminding that the Turkish state has been carrying out such massacres for years, Güneş said: “The Turkish state carried out a massacre in Zakho a few days ago. Nine people lost their lives in the massacre, and many were injured. First of all, on behalf of PAJK, I would like to express my condolences to the families of all martyrs and wish a speedy recovery to the injured. The Turkish state has been carrying out genocidal policies against the people of the region for years. It has deepened this policy in every sense, especially against the Kurdish people and the Arab people.”

Güneş added: “Turkey used all kinds of weapons, including chemical weapons against the freedom guerrillas. As it is known, this situation caused great protests in the public. But the fascist Turkish state is increasing its attacks day by day. Zakho is one of this massacres. The Turkish state built its existence on the extinction of peoples and cultures.

The Kurdish Freedom Movement, under the leadership of Rêber Apo, has been fighting against these genocidal attacks for 50 years. Thousands of martyrs were given for this cause. The people of the region, mainly the Arab people, know our movement very well. There has been a deep bond between the Kurdish and Arab people for years. With the Rojava Revolution, the Kurdish and Arab people made an alliance. The Turkish state didn’t like this alliance. Because the Turkish state does not want any people to ally with the Kurds. The alliance of the Turkish state with the KDP takes place on this basis. Turkey especially wants to control the KDP in order to prevent an alliance that may occur between the KDP and the PKK. Therefore, the Turkish state strongly opposed the alliance that emerged in North-East Syria. Which is why another invasion operation against North-East Syria is on the agenda.”

Güneş said: “The Zakho massacre happened on 20 July. One day before, Erdogan and Putin held a three-person summit in Iran. As the public knows, the Turkish state could not get any results from this summit. In fact, they did not get the approval they were looking for in that summit. Within 24 hours of the meeting, Iraqi citizens were targeted in South Kurdistan. The aim of Turkey was to commit an even greater massacre. They wanted to teach a lesson to the people of the region. They wanted to send a political message both to the Bashur people, who supported the guerrillas, and to the Arab people. Many groups reacted and condemned the massacre, but these condemnations are not enough. The KDP has opened that region to the Turkish state in an unlimited way. The Turkish state has occupied the South, but so far, no KDP official has responded to this invasion. Because they brought the Turkish state there. Turkey tried to blame the PKK for the massacre, but both the method, technique and targeting of civilians reveal that the attack was indeed carried out by the Turkish state. Why? The Turkish state has carried out so many massacres in these lands before. The photos of the Kortek massacre, the murder of the 11-month-old baby Solin are still in every Kurdish person's memory. The massacres in Zergelê, Kanîmasi in Bakur, and the massacres of the Turkish state in Afrin, Serêkaniyê and Girê Spi are known by everyone. Now they have committed a similar massacre in Zakho. Our movement gave the biggest reaction to this massacre. Why are we so angry? Because we were massacred by the Turkish state the most. We know this pain very well. No one understands the suffering of the Arab people better than we do. We stand with the Arab people. That's why I call on women and young people to take to the streets and not leave a single Turkish flag, institution, and association of the Turkish state on Iraqi soil."

The KDP takes part in these attacks

Şimal Ülkem Güneş, drawing attention to the statement by the Iraqi state said: "We see the presence of the Turkish state in these lands as an invasion. Turkey should leave our lands immediately. Why does the Turkish state not leave Iraqi lands despite the reactions? Because there are those who don't want it. Who are they? First of all, the KDP does not want it. So far, they have never questioned the invasion by Turkey. They say that this massacre took place because of the conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state. So who is the PKK? The PKK is the Kurdish people. The PKK is waging a struggle for freedom and democracy on behalf of all the people of the region. It will continue to do so from now on. We will counter all attacks; we will raise our struggle even more.

These massacres will only increase our anger and resistance. When the Turkish state commits these massacres, it thinks that we will be hit and defeated, but on the contrary, a more organized, more radical, bigger struggle is developing. Neither the Kurdish people, nor the Kurdish women, nor the Kurdish youth will be the same as before. We have learned many lessons and we will not take a step back."

Güneş continued: "The Turkish state is using chemical weapons against the guerrillas in front of the whole world. Why does the KDP, which claims to represent 4 parts of Kurdistan, not react? Why doesn't the KDP make public all the documents of chemical weapons used against the guerrillas? Because they also take part in these attacks. That's why they covered up the massacres. Parties that call themselves opposition, especially the CHP, gathered around the AKP over nationalism. How will the Kurdish people and democracy forces believe the Turkish opposition in this situation? That's why there is no opposition other than the 3rd way, the democracy and freedom way. Our people should see this."

Güneş said: "The Turkish state is committing so many massacres in Bakur, there is not a single day when the Kurds are not killed. Kurdish children are being killed by tanks, Kurdish young people are killed in prison, bodies come out of prison on a daily basis. There is not a single day when women are not abused. The Kurdish people are exposed to these attacks in four parts of Kurdistan, but these attacks are carried out in a planned and systematic way by the Turkish state, especially in Bakur. It is necessary to react against these attacks, and this cannot be done with a few marches or actions. There should be a greater reaction against this fascist state. The guerrillas must be strengthened more. The guerrillas are displaying great resistance against the technological capabilities of the Turkish state under difficult conditions. It has once again emerged that the guerrillas are the defense force of all women, youth and oppressed peoples in the region.

The Iraqi people should also react more against the fascist Turkish state. They should do whatever they can. For example, all the bases and intelligence institutions of the Turkish state should be removed from Bashur and burned. People should boycott Turkish products. Both political and economic pressure should be put on the Turkish state."