HPG guerrilla Dijwar Qendil who believes a free Kurdistan will be achieved through a national awareness said: “It is the youth who are most alienated from their essence. The dirty politics and the games target the youth the most. That is why the youth of Southern Kurdistan should join the PKK.”

HPG and YJA-STAR guerrillas waging a great struggle against ISIS gangs that attacked Maxmur, Kirkuk and lastly Shengal have left a very positive impression on the people of the region. The people of the region have renewed hope for the freedom of Kurdistan and all of humanity. With this hope, the youth of Southern Kurdistan join the PKK in increasing numbers every day. One of those who joined the struggle in the frontlines for a free Kurdistan and free peoples is Dijwar Qendil, born in Ranya, Southern Kurdistan. Qendil talked to ANF about how he got to know the PKK movement, why he joined the ranks of the struggle, and the changes he experienced in himself after he joined.

“THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM IS A MALIGNANT TUMOR”

Qendil stressed that the capitalist system left deep marks on the youth especially in Southern Kurdistan and said the following on how the system alienates the youth from the Kurdish reality: “Our people are completely under capitalist influence. Even the most nationalist Kurd has been alienated from their essential values, but they are not aware of this. Because the system has dug into us like a malignant tumor. There are such intricate policies in place that one is alienated from one’s self. You don’t even notice. And of course the first target of these policies are the women and the youth. The youth is degenerated and abandoned in a fake, empty life. I myself hadn’t realized how alienated I was from my culture and my language before I joined the guerrilla. With the flow of the system, I was slowly tearing away from my identity and I was dissipating.”

“I JOINED THE GUERILLA TO CONTINUE OUR CAUSE”

Qendil said the people of the South were very impressed by the freedom struggle waged by the HPG and YJA-STAR forces and the youth especially were rushing to join the guerrilla. On joining himself, he said: “As a young Kurdish person, I didn’t know the PKK who fought for the freedom of Kurdistan very well. After the PKK guerillas fought ISIS gangs in their attacks on Southern Kurdistan, hundreds of young people joined their ranks. One of them was a friend of mine who I respected a lot. He fought heroically for his country and fell martyr. After his martyrdom, I joined the guerrilla to continue our cause.”

“I GOT TO KNOW MY ESSENTIAL VALUES IN THE RANKS OF THE GUERILLA”

Qendil said the following on the changes he experienced in himself: “The first thing that impressed me with the guerrilla life was that, despite all the harsh conditions, the guerrilla were so eager to fight with great self confidence and great will. And of course there is the comradery that develops in a respectful and loving manner, and the joy to live. I would be remiss if I don’t speak of the female comrades. What surprised and impacted me deeply was the women’s freedom struggle. Approaches to women are very different in Southern Kurdistan. Women are considered second, third class humans. It’s the exact opposite here. Women are leaders in the PKK. Women lead the war. Women have the most important roles in the field, in the trenches. These all impressed me deeply. After the training I received in the guerrilla, I got to know my history, my culture, in short, my essential values. I understood the importance of our cause for freedom, and that it’s impossible to be a free people, have a free country and be a free individual without fighting. There are times when I think I was too late in joining a more active struggle. But what’s important is what will come after this. I now understand that from now on, dedicating my every waking moment to the cause is imperative for me.”

“THE PEOPLE OF THE FOUR PARTS OF KURDISTAN SHOULD UNITE”

Qendil underlined that the PKK movement didn’t only fight for the freedom of the four parts of Kurdistan, but also for the freedom of all the peoples of the world and said: “Kurdistan was divided into four parts by the hegemonic powers. Our country, with each part given to a different state, has been under a deep exploitation, colonialism, invasion and assimilation. Our people are pushed away from their own essence, their identity, their culture. Our people in all four parts should see this, refuse it and fight. National unity in Kurdistan is important for all our peoples. A free Kurdistan can only be possible through a national awareness and unity among the people in all four parts of Kurdistan.”

Qendil pointed out that the people of the South and especially the youth should see the dirty politics of the capitalist system and the forces that are anti-Kurdish and said the Kurdish people need to raise awareness and organize more. Qendil called on the youth: “The youth are the most alienated from their essence. That is why the youth of Southern Kurdistan should realize this and join the ranks of the PKK.”