Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) co-chair Ahmed Karamus has made a written statement against the military operation launched by the Turkish state in Metina, Avaşin and Zap in the Medya Defence Zones of Iraqi Kurdistan, drawing special attention to the date of the assault.

The Turkish state’s military operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) forces in Iraqi Kurdistan on 23 April has provoked heated reactions. The KNK said, “Our appeal to Kurdish people and our allies is to fight against invaders everywhere.”

Karamus notes, “We especially want to point out the goals of such an assault on 24 April, the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. With this attack they expressed their aim to carry out a massacre and genocide on the peoples of Kurdistan. They wanted to send a message to Kurds.”

Stressing that people from Kurdistan should not remain silent, Karamus said, “They must show their patriotic duties and reflexes against those attacks at the highest level. This day is the day of resistance, this day is the day to defend the honor of the Kurdish people. We call on everyone to fulfil their patriotic duties and human values.”

Calling on international forces, the KNK co-chair said, “The Turkish state has given the message that the massacre and genocide has begun. We call on international institutions and organisations such as the United Nations and the European Union to act urgently and to stop the massacre of the Kurds.”