The Turkish state's war against the Kurdistan Freedom Struggle continues with different dimensions all over Kurdistan. Trying every means to implement its occupation plans, it wants to realize this through the attacks it carries out especially in Southern Kurdistan. In this context, while bombing some parts of Southern Kurdistan by unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), it comes to the forefront with assassinations in Sulaymaniyah, one of the key cities of the region.

What the Turkish state wants to do in Sulaymaniyah, what the purpose of these increasing attacks is and what is going on behind the scenes have come to the agenda again with the latest attacks.

With the deadly armed attack against Abdulkadir Sabri Toprak in the city center of Sulaymaniyah on February 29 and with the UCAV bombing in Kelar district in Germiyan region on March 1, all eyes turned back to Sulaymaniyah.

11 people have been killed so far

So far, 11 people have been killed in assassination attacks against Kurdish revolutionaries, activists, academics, intellectuals and citizens in Southern Kurdistan, mainly in Sulaymaniyah. The Turkish state, which resorted to this method especially in 2021, is trying to establish a new basing area against the Kurdistan Freedom Struggle in Southern Kurdistan. Seeking to turn the PUK-held Sulaymaniyah into a battlefield, the Turkish state also aims to make plans to take away the gains of the Kurds here. The Turkish state, which is trying to break the effects of the Kurdistan Freedom Struggle in Sulaymaniyah, where the national attitude is strong, seeks to push the region into a further political, military and economic crises.

The people of Soran and PUK threatened

While the people of Sulaymaniyah and the PUK have already been targeted before, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan briefed the Turkish parliament on January 16 about the occupation policies they are implementing in the region, and Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan threatened the PUK at the highest level with his remarks on his return from a visit to Egypt on February 15.

The embargo and sanctions against the region are also being carried out in order for this plan to come to life in the places in question. The Turkish state, which has also suspended diplomatic relations with the PUK, wants to use the Soran region, especially Sulaymaniyah, in this way, just as it has made Hewlêr (Erbil) and Duhok one of the de-facto implementation centers for its policies in the Middle East.

PUK is the main target

In this context, a house was targeted for the first time in the region in an UCAV attack in Kelar district of Sulaymaniyah, and an armed assassination attack was carried out in Sulaymaniyah city center. While the Turkish state is expected to increase its attack attempts, the main message is intended to be given to the PUK, aiming for the PUK to take steps like the KDP against the Kurdistan Freedom Struggle.  

The story of those who have been murdered by the Turkish state in and around Sulaymaniyah so far brings clarity to the current picture. All of the people targeted by the MIT (Turkish intelligence service) are people who came to Southern Kurdistan from Northern Kurdistan as a result of the oppression of the Turkish state. Citizens who cannot find a political space due to the regime of oppression, persecution and torture come to Southern Kurdistan to do politics, but are targeted and murdered here. Through such policies developed in Sulaymaniyah, the Turkish state wants to subjugate the PUK and aims to dominate the "line of betrayal" in all of Southern Kurdistan, just like the policies it has developed with the KDP.

A mistake for the Turkish state after Raperîn

While the Turkish state is not expected to stop only by subjugating the PUK, its long-term plans are shaped on the basis of taking away all the gains of Southern Kurdistan. For 20 years, the KDP's internal and external policies have been undermining the gains of the people of Southern Kurdistan day by day, while the weakening of the PUK and its approval of the Turkish state's occupation policies would lead to the complete elimination of Southern Kurdistan's system. As a matter of fact, in every session, the Turkish state officials repeat that the gains made by the people of Southern Kurdistan during the "Raperîn" (uprising) against Saddam Hussein's regime on March 5, 1991, and its aftermath are a mistake on their part and that they will seek to rectify it. 33 years after Raperîn, these plans are still in effect, which means the complete occupation of the territory of Southern Kurdistan and the destruction of its systems.

National stance is the same as 100 years ago

The people of Sulaymaniyah, who manifest their reaction against the Turkish state's policy of subjugation at the highest level, are taking a stance against Turkish occupation with the same unity today as they fought against the British occupation 100 years ago. This stance is being developed as a national attitude throughout the Soran people, and the people do not compromise on this attitude despite the prices paid. While this attitude of the people forces the PUK to this line, it is also read as Mam Jalal's stance against occupation and surrender.

PUK's continued stance raises its prestige

While there is no sign of a contrary situation both on the ground and among the people, the PUK’s continued stance in this manner increases its political and political prestige not only in Sulaymaniyah but also throughout Southern Kurdistan. This situation leads to comments that the PUK will achieve great success in the elections to be held in Southern Kurdistan in the future.