Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Executive Committee Member Duran Kalkan has alleged that the Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, played a key role in igniting the ongoing war in Gaza.

According to Kalkan, the Turkish government utilised the conflict between the State of Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas both to protect his interests in the region, hoping to secure a specific energy route, and to divert attention from its military offensive in North and East Syria, which began on 5 October.

During an exclusive Medya Haber TV interview, Kalkan stated that the Turkish authorities were facing backlash and condemnation for their actions in North and East Syria, and the conflict in Gaza was a distraction attempt to shift the public’s attention.

Kalkan accused Turkish President Erdoğan of being a key instigator in the Gaza war, asserting that he personally directed Hamas militants to initiate the 7 October attack in southern Israel.

Kalkan linked the Gaza conflict to larger geopolitical developments, emphasising that it was part of a broader plan to reshape trade routes and realign international interests. He mentioned an energy route from India, Syria, Israel, Cyprus to Greece, which Turkey was excluded from due to President Erdoğan’s policies.

“Just as he had directed ISIS (the Islamic State) to attack Kobani (Kobanê) on 15 September 2014, he has now directed Hamas to attack Israel and caused such a war to start. He is doing this in order to sabotage that region, to make it unreliable and to make the route supposedly pass through Turkey,” Kalkan said.

Furthermore, Kalkan hinted at the larger implications of this geopolitical manoeuvring, suggesting that Turkey’s isolation could lead to more significant conflicts, including potential confrontations with Cyprus.

Kalkan also emphasised the importance of understanding the root causes of the ongoing war. He highlighted the historical dimension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, acknowledging the suffering experienced by both the Palestinian and Jewish people throughout history. He argued for the need to address these historical injustices and stressed the importance of recognising the rights and aspirations of both parties.

Kalkan also delved into the ideological aspect of the conflict, pointing to a clash of nationalist religious mentalities and the need for a shift towards a more democratic and inclusive approach to resolve the strife.