Kadir Kasirga from Social Democratic Party, the bigger coalition partner in Sweden, said Erdogan and the Turkish state have increased their threats against Rojava to delay the Kurds achieving a status in Northern Syria: “Like in the past, we will stand with the peoples of Rojava now and support their cause.”

Kasirga spoke to the ANF about the Turkish state attacks against Southern Kurdistan and threats against Rojava.

“THEY DON’T WANT KURDS TO ACHIEVE A STATUS”

Kasirga said there are several reasons why the Turkish state and Erdogan have increased their threats and attacks, trying to raise tensions in the region: “First of all, Turkey doesn’t want Kurds to achieve a status. In the last year, especially with the AKP losing blood in local elections, the defeat in Istanbul and the economic crisis is forcing Erdogan to make a new lunge. He wants to create this chauvinistic and nationalist wave to gather folks around him. First he attacked Southern Kurdistan, and now Rojava is to be targeted.”

“AKP IS CONCERNED”

Kasirga said the recent local elections changing the dynamic in the country has given Erdogan great concern: “But what truly worries Erdogan and the deep state is that the Kurds will achieve an autonomous status in Rojava, like in Southern Kurdistan. Turkey is trying to stop the Kurds, due to the previous experience in Iraq.”

“TURKISH STATE CAN’T STOP KURDS”

Kasirga said the Turkish state can delay the Kurds’ status in Syria, but can’t stop it:
“They can’t stop the Rojava Kurds, who defeated ISIS and saved the world from a great bane, from achieving a status in Syria. I believe the Kurds will have a say in the future of Syria. The Syrian civil war has entered its 7th year, and the Baath regime will have to include the Kurds in constitutional efforts that Russia and Iran are already involved with. The US and Western powers will support the Kurds’ initiative to achieve status. Kurds will achieve constitutional status within Syria for sure.”

“SWEDISH GOVERNMENT HAS CLOSE TIES WITH ROJAVA”

Kasirga said the Swedish government has close ties with the Rojava administration and that a government delegation went to Rojava last month: “A Foreign Ministry delegation went to Rojava and met with the authorities. We will continue our relationship. We are aware of the struggle and sacrifice by Kurds and other peoples in the fight against ISIS. we also have on our agenda the situation of people who fled war and sought refuge in Rojava.”

Kasirga said the Turkish state increased threats against Rojava and domestic pressure and arrests: “We demand the release of Selahattin Demirtas and all political prisoners.”

“SWEDEN SEES TURKEY AS AN INVADING FORCE”

When asked what the Swedish government’s stance will be if Turkey attacks Rojava, Kasirga said:

“Our stance is clear. We considered the attack against Afrin to be an attack against international law and treaties. We took the matter to the United Nations. The Swedish government considers the Turkish state to be an invading force. We hope there won’t be an attack against Rojava after the recent agreement between the US and Turkey. We hope this threat has been eliminated.”

“THEY MUST RETURN TO THE TABLE”

Kasirga said the Turkish state’s invasion attempts against Southern Kurdistan and their attacks won’t give any results: “All these have been tried before for many years, and they never resolved the issue. We condemn these attacks. We as the Social Democratic Party and the government believe that the Kurdish issue can only be resolved through negotiations. As such, the PKK and the Turkish state must return to the table and resolve the matter. Military methods and violence can’t solve this problem.”

“KURDISH SIDE FAVORS A SOLUTION, TURKEY FAVORS WAR”

When asked whether the Swedish government would take initiative to relaunch the peace talks and bring the two sides together, Kasirga said:

“The Swedish government handles its foreign policy and initiatives through the European Union. There are steps being taken. The EU has several times urged both Turkey and the PKK to return to the table. The issue is with Turkey’s unwillingness. I believe the Kurdish side is in favor of restarting negotiations. Turkey is focused on a military solution now. But they know the issue can’t be resolved this way. They aim to weaken the Kurdish Freedom Movement and sit down at the table afterwards.”

“KURDS FOUGHT FOR THE WORLD, EUROPE AND FOR HUMANITY”

Swedish Social Democratic Party MP Kadir Kasirga said in case of a Turkish attack against Rojava, democratic forces in and outside the parliament will take action: “When they defeated ISIS the Kurds and the YPG/YPJ didn’t fight for themselves alone, they fought for the world, Europe and humanity. As such, democratic powers must stand with the Kurds. Like in the past, we will stand with the people of Rojava and support their cause.”