In an interview with Yeni Özgur Politika newspaper, an American linguist and one of the leading members of the Freedom for Abdullah Öcalan Initiative, Noam Chomsky, spoke against the persecution of the Kurds by the Turkish state.

“Turkey has always ruthlessly persecuted the Kurds. There were a few moments when the persecution seemed to be eased briefly, as in the early years of this century. But they didn't last long. Turkish authorities have never missed any opportunity to oppress the Kurds,” Chomsky said.

Chomsky added: “Erdogan wants Turkey to play a major role within the world order; probably as a new Caliph, in his own eyes. But in case this is not so, he wants a Turkey that is not controlled by Russia or the West, yet partially works with each of them, increasing its spheres of influence in cooperation with China in Asia. Thus, while Turkey remains a NATO member, Erdogan accepts Putin's offer to establish a new hub for the distribution of Russian gas to Europe to avoid NATO controls and strong US demands. Kurdish freedom means almost nothing to both Russia and the United States. Just take a look at a few years back. The 1990s were one of the worst periods of Turkish violence against the Kurds relying on US weapons supplied by Clinton. And the US was completely silent on this issue. Today, nobody questions the role of the United States at that time.”

Chomsky also spoke about the aggravated isolation imposed on Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, saying, “Öcalan should be released from inhuman imprisonment immediately. His ideas inspire impressive achievements and developments in Rojava. They are also perceived as a threat to the illegitimate forces of all authoritarian regimes in the region.”