Duran Kalkan, a senior executive of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), warned the Turkish government over its military ambitions in Kurdish regions. Kalkan criticised the Turkish leadership’s reliance on advanced military technology and foreign support to suppress Kurdish guerrilla forces, suggesting a misinterpretation of strength by the Turkish government.

Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) Executive Committee member Duran Kalkan criticised the Turkish leadership’s reliance on advanced military technology and foreign support to suppress Kurdish guerrilla forces, suggesting a misinterpretation of strength by the Turkish government.

Kalkan’s comments came, in an interview issued on Wednesday, amid growing tensions and the anticipation of new military operations by Turkey in Kurdish areas. “You’re selling yourselves out to secure support from various quarters,” Kalkan said, referring to the Turkish government’s efforts to bolster its military capabilities through alliances.

“With these means, you launch attacks, mistakenly believing this represents your true strength,” he added, critiquing the Turkish strategy of deploying significant firepower against guerrilla fighters.

Highlighting the potential for these tactics to backfire, Kalkan pointed out: “These resources aren’t exclusive to you; in other words, others can also benefit from them.” His statement underscores the evolving nature of armed conflict in the region, where both sides continue to seek technological and strategic advantages.

The Kurdish resistance, according to Kalkan, is adapting to the challenges posed by the Turkish military’s technological advancements. “This suggests one should not take pride in merely discovering such a tool, under the illusion it belongs to them alone,” he said, emphasising the universality of military technology and the inevitability of its proliferation among various actors, including Kurdish forces.

The conversation with Kalkan also delved into broader issues facing the Kurdish community, including the ongoing solitary confinement of Abdullah Öcalan, the ideological leader of the PKK, whose imprisonment has become a rallying cry for Kurds worldwide. Kalkan linked the fight for Öcalan’s freedom to the broader Kurdish struggle for autonomy and rights, highlighting the significant support for the campaign from international and regional allies.

Furthermore, Kalkan touched on the cultural and historical significance of Newroz, the Kurdish New Year, as a period of intensified campaigning and resistance against Turkish policies. He called for unity and action among Kurds and their allies, stressing the importance of international solidarity in the face of Turkish aggression.

The interview concluded on a note of defiance and preparedness, with Kalkan indicating that Kurdish forces are not only ready to counter Turkish military operations but are also actively exploring advancements in their strategies and technologies. “Our role, essentially, is to acknowledge and perhaps celebrate these facts,” Kalkan stated, signalling a robust response to any future Turkish military actions.

As tensions continue to escalate, the international community watches closely, with many advocating for a peaceful resolution to the long-standing Kurdish-Turkish conflict that respects the rights and aspirations of the Kurdish people.