TEV-DEM co-chair, Ruken Ehmed, spoke to ANF about the Turkish chemical attacks carried out with the cooperation of the KDP.

Rûken Ehmed offered condolences to the families of the 17 guerrillas who were recently killed as a result of the Turkish chemical attacks. “Chemical weapons have not been used against the Kurdish people only for the past two years. They have been used since Halabja in 1988. The fascist Turkish state has been openly using chemical weapons against the Kurdish people and guerrillas for the past two years.”

INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY COMPLICIT IN TURKISH CRIMES

Ehmed emphasized that silence means complicity and addressed international powers and world public opinion: “We condemn the silence of international powers. We regard this silence as a sign of partnership with the fascist Turkish state. Chemical weapons are not only killing people but also nature. The silence of international powers and public opinion amounts to a partnership in this massacre. Chemical weapons are used against the Kurdistan guerrillas who fight for the freedom of the peoples against the fascist Turkish state.”

Ehmed said that they are addressing world public opinion rather than global powers and western states.

CHEMICAL WEAPONS ALSO USED IN ROJAVA, INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REMAINED SILENT

Ehmed reminded that the Turkish state used chemical weapons also in Rojava. “In 2019, they used them against our people in Serêkaniyê. Images of burning children were seen by the whole world. These images were published thousands of times by the world press and social media, and calls were made to international rights organizations to step into action against those responsible for these chemical attacks.”

KDP GAVE MASKS TO TURKEY-BACKED GROUPS

Ehmed underlined that the KDP confiscated the gas masks that were to be delivered to HPG and YJA Star guerrillas and gave them to Turkey-backed armed groups. “Gas masks were sent to the Kurdistan guerrillas some time ago to protect themselves from chemical weapons. The KDP, which supports the Turkish state, confiscated these masks. If these masks had not been confiscated, some of the guerrillas would not have died. The KDP seized these masks and handed them over to the Turkish state. It delivered the masks to Turkey to protect Turkey-backed groups, not guerrillas. The masks were handed over to the enemy instead of those protecting the Kurdish people.”

The TEV-DEM co-chair addressed the families of the fallen guerrillas. “The families of these fallen guerrillas should tell the KDP institutions that they killed their children. If the freedom guerrillas had received these masks, they would not have died. The KDP has gone beyond betrayal. While it is paving the way for a Turkish invasion, it has confiscated the gas masks. The KDP ensures that Turkish drones and warplanes can move freely in Bashur (South) Kurdistan. The KDP supports the Turkish state so that it does not suffer a defeat in the face of the guerrilla resistance. The Turkish army would not have taken a single step if the KDP did not support it.”

'PEOPLE OF BASHUR KURDISTAN SHOULD PUT A BRAKE ON THE KDP'

Ehmed added: “The people of Bashur Kurdistan must now put a brake on the KDP. The Kurdish people should not accept the Turkish occupation and the KDP cooperation after the 17 martyrs. Otherwise, we cannot talk about the defence of Kurdistan. Because the slogan 'Jin, jiyan, azadi' (Woman, Life. Freedom) in the streets of Rojhilat Kurdistan is sparked by the power of the Kurdistan guerrillas fighting against the Turkish state”

'WE HAVE TO TAKE MORE ACTION'

Ehmed also addressed the actions of the peoples of Rojava. “The attitude of the peoples of Rojava is appropriate. The peoples of Rojava said that ‘we are all guerrillas; these attacks are against all of us’. Thousands should replace the 17 fallen guerrillas. This is our duty. We should organize ourselves against Turkish fascism and collaborationism. We should make our people understand this in our streets, schools and institutions.”

Ehmed said that it is not enough to take to the streets and organize marches and rallies. “We must stand up and step into action every day, hour and moment. We must expose this fascism everywhere. Young people and women should lead this protest.”

Ehmed also spoke about the action plan against the chemical attacks organised by TEV-DEM and said: “We actively participate in the campaign against the chemical attacks with all our institutions. We have organised our action plan against the conspiracy and attacks.”