1984 PKK LAUNCHED KURDISH LIBERATION MOVEMENT

KNK issues statement to mark 40th anniversary of 15 August

KNK salutes the 40th anniversary of 15 August.


ANF
BRUSSELS
Thursday, 15 August 2024,

The Executive Council of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) issued a statement to mark the 40th anniversary of the 15 August 1984 Initiative.

The statement said: "On 15 August, Kurdistan and Turkey were under the rule of the fascist junta that came to power following the coup d’état of September 12, 1980. Through ruthless cruelty and severe torture, the lives of the people were devastated. Prisons were filled with freedom fighters, and the fascist junta spread a blanket of death over the populace. The fear of arrest and death was pervasive throughout society.

Despite these harsh conditions, the Kurdish people and the leaders of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement did not succumb to the oppression of the Turkish state. They stood firm, resisting strongly. From prisons to all aspects of life, a selfless struggle was organised. Though great sacrifices were made, the flag of freedom was raised against the state’s oppression."

The statement added: "In this difficult atmosphere, a brave struggle and resistance took shape. With the launch of the first bullet on August 15, 1984, the call for the freedom and liberation of the Kurds and Kurdistan echoed once again throughout Kurdistan, Turkey, and the world. During this historic moment, Dihe (Eruh) and Şemzînan became the arenas where the legitimate armed struggle in Kurdistan began. With this effort, the spark of the Kurdistan revolution transformed into a vast fire of resistance in Kurdistan and the Middle East. Commander Egîd (Mahsum Korkmaz) initiated the armed struggle with a group of freedom fighters, and today they have become a formidable guerrilla force in Kurdistan and the Middle East. In the history of the Kurdish struggle, this moment marks a significant step toward victory.

As we celebrate the historic 40th anniversary of August 15th, the Turkish state continues its aggression by all means and methods. Faced with the resistance and struggle of the freedom fighters, the Kurdish people, and all the peoples of Kurdistan, the Turkish state has deepened its conflict. Driven by anger and hatred, it resorts to escalating warfare and aggression. In this fight against humanity, it has mobilised all available weapons and equipment to annihilate life. Chemical bombs and poisons rain down on our people and fighters from the air and the ground. Human life has been a primary target, but Kurdistan’s natural environment has also been severely degraded. From Dersim to Colemêrg, from Qers to Maraş, no mountain, valley, or cave has been spared from bombardment."

The statement continued: "The Turkish state’s attacks are not confined to Northern Kurdistan; they also continue in Rojava and Southern Kurdistan. In both regions, the Turkish state mounts attacks in pursuit of regional occupation, which is expanding day by day. For five years now, Erdoğan’s regime has been attacking the areas of Xakurk, Heftanin, Metina, Zap, and Avaşîn with all its strength, employing prohibited weapons (chemical, phosphorus, nuclear tactics) without restraint. Meanwhile, in these regions and throughout Greater Kurdistan, a strong and unparalleled resistance is being carried out by the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrillas, embodying the spirit of the great moment of August 15th.

Today, the Turkish state is re-engaging in the same suppression policies that were enforced in the 1980s against the Kurdish people’s resistance in the struggle for the liberation and freedom of Kurdistan. The Turkish justice system has become a chain of captivity for Kurdistan’s fighters.

Prisons are filled with Kurdish activists, and violence and torture by the police and military have become a routine part of life for all peoples of Kurdistan. Anything related to Kurdish identity and culture is targeted. The state attacks weddings and dance floors, detains Kurdish singers and musicians, and bans Kurdish culture and music."

However, insisted the statement, "all these efforts are futile. The Kurds are engaged in a strong resistance and struggle, embodying the spirit of the great moment of August 15th. Defeat will belong to the Turkish state. The war-oriented and aggressive coalition of AKP-MHP-Ergenekon is on the verge of failure. Victory belongs to the people of Kurdistan.

As we celebrate this moment, we remember that the architect of the great moment of August 15th, Abdullah Öcalan, has been under intense pressure and isolation in Imrali prison for 26 years. For 40 months, no information has been received from him or his fellow inmates. This situation is unacceptable, and all Kurds and friends of the Kurds should actively participate in the campaigns against this injustice. On this occasion, we, as the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), once again reaffirm our endorsement and support for the International Campaign “Freedom for Öcalan – Political Solution to the Kurdish Question,” and call on all peoples of Kurdistan and friends of the Kurds to join and elevate the efforts of this campaign.

As the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), we warmly greet the Kurdish people, the people of Kurdistan, and the friends of the Kurdish people on the 40th anniversary of the great moment of August 15th. We remember the martyrs of the Kurdistan revolution with respect and honour, bowing our heads in their memory. The greatest greetings go to those martyred in this great moment; we owe them our dedication and will follow in their footsteps. We salute and wish success to the Kurdistan Freedom Guerrilla, who are resisting in the Medya Defense Zones in the spirit of Commander Egîd, and all the freedom fighters of Kurdistan."

KCDK-E calls for a strengthening of freedom struggle

On the anniversary of 15 August, the Kurdish European umbrella organization KCDK-E called for a joint strengthening of the freedom struggle and the thwarting of the plans of Turkish fascism.


ANF
NEWS DESK
Thursday, 15 August 2024, 10:34

The Kurdish European umbrella organization KCDK-E issued a statement on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the start of the PKK's armed struggle on 15 August.

The association stated: "The 40th anniversary of 15 August is approaching. It is the 40th anniversary of the turning point in the history of the Kurdish people from the struggle for existence or non-existence to a struggle for liberation. We are celebrating the honorable Kurdish freedom struggle, which has shifted the pendulum from annihilation to existence for forty years through relentless resistance against the murderous Turkish state."

"Great achievements have been made"

The statement continued: "The uprising of 15 August brought great progress for the existence of Kurdish identity and freedom. No tear and no sacrifice was in vain, this resistance is and remains the most honorable resistance in the history of humanity. It is a source of inspiration for the world population and the oppressed peoples in the struggle for enlightenment and freedom. The freedom guerrillas around Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan], our self-sacrificing people and the peoples of the world have made this struggle a torch for the liberation of humanity. Our symbol is all the immortal heroes, people like Egîd and Zîlan. For the 41st year of the awakening, we promise all our martyrs: We will liberate Rêber Apo and Kurdistan and continue the great march to victory. We will fulfill our promise to all our martyrs of the month of August through our practical solidarity with their struggle."

"Let us come together stronger around Rêber Apo"

The statement added: "Our people have paid a high price in their struggle against the colonialist states and the Republic of Turkey. The Kurdish people, young people and women have developed the ability to defend themselves based on their own strength. With the paradigm developed by Rêber Apo, a historical pioneering role and the function of a global alternative have been achieved. Today's global level, which the August 15 line started under Rêber Apo has reached, occupies an honorable place in the history of humanity and gives hope to everyone.

Reactionary forces, traitors and international powers are trying to stifle the spirit of the August 15 uprising and its momentum. The fact that traitorous forces are acting so openly these days alongside the genocidal Turkish state against the Kurdish people's struggle for freedom confirms this reality.

The Turkish state is seeking to occupy and annex all of Kurdistan. To this end, it is gathering collaborators and traitors around itself. In contrast, our people will defend their gains by uniting around Rêber Apo and standing firmly together. The Kurdish people, who are united around the freedom guerrillas, will not deviate a single step from the struggle to liberate Kurdistan, they will courageously resist the attacks of occupation and annexation."

The statement said: "On the anniversary of 15 August, we call on our people to mobilize for the struggle by mobilizing for Rêber Apo and against the fascist AKP-MHP coalition, the traitors and all international forces that are complicit in the genocide.

The fascist AKP-MHP regime and its collaborators are facing their end. Let us, together with our friends in all four parts of Kurdistan, stand up even more strongly for the freedom struggle and Rêber Apo, in the hundreds of thousands all over the world. In this way, let us thwart the Turkish state's plans for occupation and annexation."

Besê Hozat: 15 August breakthrough was a move toward enlightenment in Kurdistan and the Middle East

KCK Executive Council co-chair Besê Hozat said that the 15 August breakthrough was a move toward enlightenment in Kurdistan and the Middle East.


ANF
NEWS DESK
Thursday, 15 August 2024

KCK Executive Council co-chair Besê Hozat answered questions about the 40th anniversary of the 15 August breakthrough and the new threats against the Yazid people in a special program she attended on Medya Haber television.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the breakthrough that was achieved on 15 August. The place of this historical move in your struggle is known. Looking at the current situation, how do you elaborate on the historical breakthrough?

First of all, I salute the 15 August breakthrough and our peoples and commemorate comrade Mahsum Korkmaz with great respect, love and gratitude. I commemorate all the martyrs of freedom and revolution with great respect, love and gratitude and reiterate the promise that we will definitely bring their dreams and aspirations to success and victory.

Again in this month of August, there were very valuable comrades that martyred. Comrade Atakan Mahir, Zeki Shengali, Engin Sincer, Sari Ibrahim, and comrade Azime. Many valuable friends martyred in the recent period. In northern Kurdistan, comrade Herakol Ekin fell and the comrades Firat, Bahoz, Sema, Ronahi and Dilgesh fell recently in the Medya Defense Zones. In August, many comrades martyred both in northern Kurdistan and in the Medya Defense Zones, especially in the region of Zap and Metina, whose names I have mentioned and many more I cannot mention.

The August 15 breakthrough has great meaning and significance for the Kurdish people, for the peoples of the Middle East, and particularly for women. To consider the 15th of August breakthrough, the guerrilla struggle, and the armed struggle only as a narrow military struggle of a people, the Kurdish people, as a war of legitimate defense would be an insufficient way of understanding and defining it. From our point of view, the August 15th breakthrough is a move toward enlightenment in Kurdistan and the Middle East. With the August 15th breakthrough, a great revolution of mentality took place in Kurdistan, a great people’s revolution took place, and a women’s revolution took place. The disbelief, frustration, pessimism, and hopelessness created by the enemy in Kurdistan society were destroyed. Kurdish society woke up again and became aware of itself. This affected Middle Eastern society, and today, it is leading the democratic revolution.

In other words, the August 15th breakthrough created a very strong ground for change, renaissance, and enlightenment in the Middle East in every aspect and in every dimension. It revealed the revolutionary reality and the militant reality of the movement. This developed within the people’s army. Later on, it was comrade Beritan who formed the identity of the women’s army. Just as comrade Agit formed the identity and personality of the people’s army, comrades Beritan and Zilan
formed the identity and line of resistance of the women’s guerrillas, the women’s army. This is not a classical army. The guerrilla army in Kurdistan, with its men and women, the people’s army and the women’s army, is a highly ideological, philosophical, organized, strong-willed, and conscious structure with a revolutionary, libertarian identity. Their struggle has become the vanguard struggle of the people. Within this struggle, true democratic politics was born. It formed the basis for the achievements in Rojava, the values created in northern Kurdistan, and a strong consciousness in southern and eastern Kurdistan. It created the reality of an organized people. All these gains emerged through this struggle. The society that has become conscious, strong-willed, organized, and liberated has created a very strong legacy of freedom.

Undoubtedly, the military dimension of this, the legitimate self-defense dimension, is of key importance. Through this, an intertwined level of development has emerged. And today, our people, the peoples of the Middle East, and humanity are in dire need of this. In a place like the Middle East, at a time when the 3rd World War is taking place, when the blood of peoples is flowing everywhere, when terrible suffering is being experienced, and when society needs great defense, organized power, and self-defense, the guerrilla struggle is even more vital. In terms of Turkey in particular, in terms of geography, in a country where so many genocidal attacks are being carried out on the Kurds, legitimate defense and self-defense are indispensable. This is an essential need.

In this sense, following the footsteps of comrade Mahsum Korkmaz and comrade Beritan, our people’s army and women’s army restructured themselves, and according to the character and reality of this age, according to the understanding of democratic modernity, it has revealed a very important level of struggle and legitimate self-defense. Both in tactics and technique, the guerrillas, the people’s army, and the women’s army are giving the second-largest army of NATO, one of the most numerous armies in the world, a real challenge today.

For five years without interruption, the Turkish army has been conducting an all-out attack with all kinds of techniques. It uses all kinds of power and all kinds of dirty methods. From chemical weapons to all kinds of other banned weapons, but still they cannot get results. It is in shambles. Now the guerrilla has modernized itself according to the reality of this age and continues to even further develop. The effects of this will be seen more and more strongly in northern Kurdistan in the coming months and years. I believe that with the restructured understanding of democratic modernity and the restructured guerrilla warfare, understanding, and tactics, this legitimate struggle will be continued in the strongest way.

Recently, Iraq has closed down three political parties. Among these parties was the party of the Êzidis [Yazidi] in Shengal [Sinjar]. And this coincided with the 10th anniversary of the Shengal genocide. After this, Iraq’s attitude and approach are actually becoming clear. How do you evaluate these developments?

We strongly and angeredly condemn this approach by Iraq. What damage has the Freedom and Democracy Party of the Êzidis (PADÊ) caused to Iraq? They must explain this, and they must explain it to the Êzidis. Iraq is shutting down a party that has been engaged in politics and diplomacy to defend the existence and freedom of Êzidis after the 74th ferman, in order to make the voice of Êzidis heard in the world. It defends the rights and freedoms of Êzidis and explains the 74th ferman to the world. It struggles for the freedom and rights of the Êzidis. What is the harm of such a party to Iraq? Why did Iraq shut it down? Êzidis, their representatives, and the co-chairs of the democratic administration of Shengal made some statements in this regard. They said that this is a continuation of the ferman. They said that what Iraq is doing now makes them a partner in this ferman. This is a very heavy assessment. But it also pointed to some realities.

ISIS did not attack Shengal alone. On August 3, 2014, ISIS was an allied force of the AKP. There is still huge support from Erdoğan and the AKP for ISIS. In fact, ISIS attacked Shengal with the encouragement of the AKP and Erdoğan. Erdoğan also played a role in the genocide in Shengal; he is guilty. And now, as a result of the impositions and pressures of the fascist regime in Turkey, ruled by Erdoğan, Bahceli, the AKP-MHP, and Ergenekon, and the impositions and pressures of the KDP, Iraq has decided to shut down PADÊ. Of course, no Êzidi can accept this.

Likewise, Tevgera Azadi is a movement struggling for democracy in southern Kurdistan and Iraq. It is influenced by the paradigm and thoughts of Rêber Apo and takes him as its basis. It does not have any organizational ties with our organization. Neither it nor the Democratic Front. They are based on Rêber Apo’s paradigm, and they are waging a struggle for democracy in southern Kurdistan and Iraq. They work for the development of democracy. Now what harm can or did they do to southern Kurdistan and Iraq? Of course, we have been aware of the activities of Turkey and the KDP for years. It is exerting very intense pressure on Iraq to close down these structures. Most recently, on July 3, Massoud Barzani went to Baghdad. He met with many embassies and also met with many government and non-government circles in Iraq. Massoud Barzani had the closure of these organizations in his file. We know that very well. They have been working on this for years. After this closure decision, Hoshyar Zebari and similar KDP officials have already announced how happy they are. They got results from their work.

Turkish state officials shared the same feeling. Now, of course, there is this side of the issue. Iraq took such a step to please the Turkish state, to please the KDP, and to fulfill their demands and impositions. But in doing so, it adopted an extremely impersonal and characterless attitude. There may be impositions and demands of the Turkish state, but the Turkish state is waging a war of genocide against the Kurds and Êzidis. It is waging a war of genocide against the peoples of the Middle East. It is waging a war of extermination and massacre, and the KDP is a partner in this policy. Such impositions by the Turkish state, the AKP-MHP regime, and the KDP are understandable. But does Iraq have to accept them? Iraq claims to be an independent state. Doesn’t that state have its own will? Doesn’t that state have its own stance and character? Doesn’t it have a principle? It is clear that this government has no own stance and no character. A very simple approach has been taken for dirty, simple interests. We consider this behavior of the current government to be a great insult to the history of Iraq, a great insult to the Iraqi people, and a great insult and a great insult to Iraqi society. The thing to do against this is to struggle against it.

The ferman on the Êzidis continues in the Êzidi camps in the south. Yesterday, some imams made a statement and the Êzidis in South Kurdistan were threatened. This resulted in a great outrage in the Êzidi camps. As far as we were able to follow the developments, basically all the Êzidis in the camps want to return to Shengal. They are piling up at the Semalka Gate, where they do not let them pass through. Some of them found other ways and returned directly to Shengal. No one wants to live in those camps. They see this as part of the ferman. The fear of the ferman has entered their hearts. The Êzidis in the camps are in great fear and panic. Sure, there really is this danger. Right now, both the KDP and the AKP-MHP are waging a war against the peoples hand in hand with ISIS. They have brought hundreds of ISIS fighters to Behdinan, and they intend to bring even more. It is they who are burning and destroying villages.

They want to settle these mercenaries and gangs there. Who do those mercenaries and gangs see as their main enemy? The Êzidis. Not only there, but generally in southern Kurdistan and Iraq, such groups are organized. ISIS is not finished. ISIS maintains a significant amount of its power in Iraq, Syria, and many parts of the region. Therefore, of course, Êzidis are in great danger. They should not stay in those camps. They could experience a great ferman like August 3rd. Just as the KDP left the Êzidis defenseless in 2014, it left them alone facing the ISIS genocide supported by the Turkish state. The same thing can happen in those camps. Therefore, of course, it is a great danger to live and wait in those camps. For years, the KDP has taken those camps hostage and has been conducting a blackmail policy on those camps. Against the world, against everyone.

It has also turned them into a vote depot. By force, by force of arms, and by material means, they are able to get their votes in the elections. On the other hand, they have them do all kinds of dirty work. The KDP tries to create mercenaries and gangs by themselves. From prostitution to drugs, they do all kinds of filth and dirty work on Êzidis in those camps and make Êzidis live under a different kind of ferman there. Since 2014, the ferman has actually continued in those camps; just the form has changed. There is a cultural ferman there, a cultural genocide. They make Êzidi girls, women, and children do all kinds of dirty, ugly work there. Such a situation has arisen. This situation reveals the reality of the KDP much more clearly in the eyes of the Êzidis.

As I pointed out before, we need to fight strongly against all these attacks. Êzidis are no longer the old Êzidis. They are an organized society. They have political and social power. They have developed self-confidence and willpower. They have become an organized society, and an organized society is the greatest power. No matter who it is, It can be women, youth, a people, or an oppressed group. When you are organized, you become stronger. Then you have willpower and courage. Today, there is serious consciousness, enlightenment, organization, and willpower among Êzidis.

On 15 August 1984, the PKK fired its first shot

On 15 August 1984, “the first shot” was fired by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Eruh, in North Kurdistan.


ANF
NEWS DESK
Thursday, 15 August 2024

On 15 August 1984, the first shot was fired by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Eruh, in North Kurdistan. A 36-strong guerrilla force led by the legendary commander Mahsum Korkmaz - also known by his nom de Guerre Egîd ("the Brave") - carried out the first attack against the Turkish occupying forces that day. A military police barracks was selected for the action, which is considered the beginning of the armed liberation struggle. One guard and one officer were killed, while the guerrillas did not suffer any casualties.

The founding declaration of the HRK (Hêzên Rizgarîya Kurdistanê) was then read over the loudspeaker of a mosque. The statement by the "Kurdistan Liberation Forces", as the guerrillas called themselves in the first years of the armed struggle in reference to the "Unit for the Liberation of Vietnam" formed at the beginning of the Vietnamese freedom struggle, said: "The HRK pursues the goal of fighting for our people for national independence, a democratic society, freedom and unity led by the PKK armed against imperialism, Turkish colonial fascism."

A simultaneous raid was carried out under the command of Abdullah Ekinci (Ali) in Şemdinli. The guerrilla unit targeted a military barracks and attacked with machine guns and rockets. The Turkish state suffered losses in this attack too. Both towns were also briefly controlled by the HRK. 15 August broke the silence after the military coup of 12 September 1980. This day is considered a holiday by many Kurds because it marks the beginning of a movement that now includes millions.

Eruh action made history

In the middle of July 1984, the guerrilla groups left for the regions of Northern Kurdistan. The most difficult task was that of the group in Eruh. Egîd, the commander of the group, described the difficulties in his report as follows: "We could not find a single person in the city centre from whom we could get information. Many of the villages are deeply alienated from our struggle." Moreover, Egîd had serious problems walking long distances due to congenital difficulties. In his diaries, which were later published, Egîd described this situation in a single sentence: "The pain in my knee prevents me from walking", and he hid this discomfort in his feet from many of his friends. Historians would compare Egîd's disability during mountain hikes to Che Guevara's asthma.

Egîd practised with the guerrilla group on a model of Eruh and carried out the final reconnaissance for the attack on 13 August. Even hours before the action, many in the group did not know exactly where to attack. At dawn on 15 August, the group reached the designated point. At dawn, there was still a deep silence in the region. When dawn broke, Egîd pointed to the target, which looked like a dot in the distance. The whole group watched the town with binoculars. Eruh was three kilometres away.

Everything for the action had been calculated down to the smallest detail, even a "plan B" had been prepared. If the plan failed, the members of the group would try to reach a meeting point at the foot of the Çirav mountain.

At dusk on 15 August 1984, the group set off at around 7.30 pm. It reached Eruh around 9 pm and quickly split into three units. A few minutes later, the first shot rang out, fired at the guard post of the gendarmerie post. A rocket hit the upper floor of the barracks and a few minutes later the two-storey military building fell into the hands of the group. The soldiers panicked. Meanwhile, the "main attack column" stormed the officers' mess.

While the foundation of the HRK was announced over the mosque loudspeaker, the guerrilla fighters controlled the city and destroyed the symbols of the Turkish state. The post office building and the bank were destroyed and the commander's vehicle was set on fire.

The guerrilla group left Eruh around midnight with a wagonload of confiscated material. Everything was loaded onto mules at a bridge at the exit of the town and on 18 August the guerrilla unit safely reached their base again.

The action in Şemdinli under the command of Gözlüklü Ali

At the same time as the action in Eruh, the guerrillas also marched into Şemdinli. Unlike in Eruh, there were fierce clashes with the Turkish army in Şemdinli. Here, the guerrilla fighters under the command of Gözlüklü Ali attacked the police stations and military accommodation. The Turkish army suffered heavy losses. Despite the fierce clashes, the founding of the HRK was also announced in Şemdinli through leaflets.

Young Kurds, Arabs and internationalists join the guerrilla ranks

Kurdish and internationalist young people joined the guerrilla ranks at a ceremony.


PİRDOĞAN KEMAL
BEHDINAN
Wednesday, 14 August 2024

Young Kurds, Arabs and other internationalists joined the guerrilla ranks after a ceremony that coincided with the anniversary of the 15 August Initiative.

The new guerrillas made a statement after the ceremony, saying: "With the step taken on 15 August under the leadership of Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the legendary commander, comrade Egîd, the grave that was placed before the Kurdish people like a destiny was shattered. The Kurdish people saw a new birth. Comrade Egîd represented the ideology of Leader Apo (Abdullah Öcalan) and the spirit of resistance of Mazlum, Ferhat, Kemal, Mehmet Xeyri and Sara."

Noting that Kurdish People's Leader Abdullah Öcalan took revenge for thousands of years on an ideological basis with this step, the Kurdish and internationalist guerrillas said: "In other words, this great revenge took place on 15 August. Our party, the PKK, is first and foremost a women's party. For this reason, young women should support Leader Apo and the PKK and direct their direction to the free mountains."

The new guerrillas added: "As a group of Kurdish and international men and women, we came to the mountains of Kurdistan to fulfill this important duty and on the 40th anniversary of the resurrection, we completed our training and enthusiastically joined the guerrilla ranks. Our call is for all the youth of Kurdistan and the world to join the freedom struggle."