Senior Figure in the Kurdish Movement Warns on Syria Policy: ‘The Will of the Kurdish People Must Be Taken into Account’

Mustafa Karasu, a senior figure in the Kurdish political movement, has issued a stern warning regarding the Turkish state’s aggressive posture toward Syria, urging Ankara to abandon its contradictory foreign policy. Karasu emphasized that a genuine resolution to regional conflicts depends on acknowledging the political agency of the Kurds, stating unequivocally that "the will of the Kurdish people must be taken into account." He argued that the continuous threats of intervention in North and East Syria undermine claims of seeking peace and stability in the Middle East, calling instead for a political atmosphere where the Kurdish people and the Damascus government can resolve their internal disputes without external provocation.

According to a detailed report published by Mezopotamya Ajansι, Mustafa Karasu, a member of the KCK Executive Council, made these assessments while participating in a broadcast on Medya Haber TV. Addressing a wide range of topics from the historic "Eastern Reform Plan" to current parliamentary debates, Karasu’s comments focused heavily on the need for the Turkish state to accept Abdullah Öcalan as a primary interlocutor and to cease its destabilizing activities across the border in Syria.

Karasu drew a sharp contrast between Turkey’s diplomatic rhetoric regarding the conflict in Gaza and its actions in Syria. He questioned the logic of the Turkish government, which vocally opposes the war in Gaza and Israeli actions in Lebanon under the banner of regional peace, yet simultaneously threatens military intervention against Kurds in Syria. "They say they want peace in Gazza and Lebanon, but they want war against the Kurds in Syria," Karasu stated. He insisted that the situation in North and East Syria is an internal matter, noting that the Kurds are not seeking to divide Syria but rather to find a solution with the Damascus government. "The most correct approach is to ensure stability in Syria. Stability cannot be achieved by provoking fights or pitting Damascus against the North and East Syria administration," he added.

Transitioning to domestic politics, Karasu questioned the efficacy of the Turkish Parliament in addressing the country's deep-rooted issues. He expressed skepticism about whether the current political parties have the capacity to bypass the influence of the "deep state" or "oligarchic gangs" that have historically dominated Turkish policy on strategic matters. He criticized the parliamentary commissions for being superficial and accused opposition parties, specifically the CHP, of failing to present a principled stance on the Kurdish question. "Turkey’s political parties are at a historic exam," Karasu remarked, warning that failing to produce solutions for the Kurdish issue would render them credibility-free in the eyes of the public.

Finally, Karasu highlighted the importance of the upcoming mass rally scheduled for January 4th in Amed (Diyarbakır). He framed this event as a critical demonstration of political resolve, linking the freedom of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan to the broader demand for recognition. Karasu argued that if Turkey is to speak of "Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood," it must first respect the political will of the Kurds. He concluded that the January 4th rally would serve as the manifestation of this will, demanding the "right to hope" for Öcalan and the creation of conditions that allow him to work freely toward a solution.