People’s Defense Central Headquarters Command Member Bahoz Erdal spoke to the ANF about the Turkish state bombing of Southern Kurdistan and the people of Sheladize rising up against the Turkish base.

Erdal said Turkish fighter jets killed at least 4 civilians in the bombing of Deralok on January 23 and added: “Before all, we offer our condolences to the families of the martyrs and share their pain.”

CIVILIANS UNDER SURVEILLANCE AND BOMBED CONTINUOUSLY

Bahoz Erdal said the HPG command in the area is also carrying out an investigation on the matter and added that the four scout planes were circling the area when four civilians were close to the Zap river and two were near the Etute village: “Then, the jets came and bombed them. There wasn’t just the one bombing, these citizens were surveilled for one - one and a half hours and were bombed continuously so all of them were martyred for sure,” said Erdal, counting out any possibility of an accident.

Erdal said, “These people were clearly civilians, judging from their apparel and their mannerisms,” and pointed to the intense bombing aiming to not leave anyone alive.

THE MANNER OF THE BOMBING RESEMBLES THE ROBOSKI MASSACRE

Bahoz Erdal spoke about the manner in which the attack was carried out and said: “The manner of the bombing resembles the Roboski Massacre. One could call it a second coming of the Roboski Massacre.” Erdal pointed to the results of their investigation and said: “These civilians were knowingly, deliberately targeted. A massacre was carried out. This is very clear.”

Erdal said it isn’t the first massacre of the Turkish state and pointed to the aim of this new addition to the series of massacres: “The insistence on massacres at this point in time, considering the developments in the region (...) has been another attempt at intimidating our people. With this massacre, the invaders wanted to show the extent of their power.”

MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE OF HEWLER AND SOUTHERN KURDISTAN

Erdal said the attack was geared towards preventing the developments the PKK caused in the South, West (Rojava) and North and the gains they have made, and pointed out that a message was also sent to Hewler. Erdal said: “They want to create pressure on Hewler, on the people of the South. At this point in time when hopes are getting stronger that the freedom movement is taking strong steps, (this attack) has been a part of the Turkish state’s intervention. This is a reaction to Kurds not fighting each other, not being against one another. This is a message that says ‘If you don’t fight each other, this is how we force you to.’”

Erdal said the attack was deliberate and planned in this sense, and pointed to the outrage the people have shown against it.

THE INSURGENCY IN SHELADIZE IS LEGITIMATE

Erdal said on Saturday, the people of Sheladize marched to the Turkish military base, Turkish forces opened fire on them and the people set fire to several military vehicles in the Turkish base, adding that one child lost his life in the Turkish state attack.

Erdal said this insurgency against the Turkish state is legitimate and added: “This is a patriotic, Kurdistani and sacred stance, for which we commend our people and salute them.” Erdal said the people of Sheladize-Deralok have done nothing wrong and have only exercised their legitimate rights: “We expect that the regional government and politicians will respect this stance by the people and that they embrace it.”

Erdal said this stance by the people of the region should be “appreciated” and protested the statements that claim the PKK’s presence in the region is the cause of the bombings.

Erdal said: “These are not true, they have no truth in them. Such arguments embolden the Turkish state to increase their attacks against our people. They lend legitimacy to the Turkish occupation in Southern Kurdistan. They legitimize these vile attacks.”

PKK’S PRESENCE IS IMPORTANT FOR THE STABILITY OF THE REGION

Erdal said, “The presence of PKK forces does no damage to the people of Behdinan or the greater region, or to the rest of Kurdistan. On the contrary, it is a military and political support,” and stressed that it is the PKK guerrillas who defend the people against attacks against the region. Erdal said the guerrillas fought shoulder to shoulder with the peshmerga against ISIS gang attacks in Shengal and Kirkuk and stressed: “The presence of the guerrilla here is important for the stability and peace in the region and the strengthening the Kurdistan region.”

WHAT ARE THE BASES DOING THERE?

Questioning the presence of Turkish state bases in the region, Erdal said:

“What good are they? These are occupying forces. They are a weight on Southern Kurdistan’s shoulders. They are a foreign force. The ones who provide intelligence and coordinates for airstrikes are the bases in Syria, Bamerne and Khanimasi. The correct question would be: What are these bases doing there? Our people in the South don’t accept them. This invasion is what is obstructing peace and stability in Southern Kurdistan. We as a movement act in great care for the stability of the region. But the invading Turks have shown that they are hostile against all Kurds with these attacks. Wherever Kurds are, they are a target for the Turkish state if they have strength and organization.”

STABILITY AND PEACE IN THE SOUTH IS ONE OF OUR FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES

Erdal said the people of the South are aware of this but the regional government needs to see the situation as well: “The people’s reaction was clear, and sacred. We as the Kurdistan guerrilla see it as one of our fundamental duties to ensure peace and stability in Southern Kurdistan. We are prepared to make any and all sacrifices for the stability and peace of our people, and for their defense. Whatever we are tasked with, and whatever we can do.”

BEHDINAN’S STANCE MUST BE READ CORRECTLY

Erdal said the people not taking to the land is not a solution and protested the comments of some officials of “PKK territory”, and added: “Why wouldn’t the people venture out into the land? It is the Turkish state that prevents this, it is the military bases and airstrikes.”

Erdal said nobody opposes the political and financial relationship of the regional government and the Turkish state, and concluded his words with: “But this matter must have red lines. The Turkish state must respect the people of Bashur. And are they? No! They think they are fully within their rights to attack everywhere, to carry out massacres. This must be opposed. (...) The people of the region don’t accept the blaming of the PKK for this matter either, the people of the region are not bothered by the PKK guerrillas. The guerrilla doesn’t do anybody any harm. On the contrary, they help, they support. The stance the people of Behdinan have shown must be read correctly, it is a commendable stance. This is a message to all Kurdistan forces. The people demand a stance from all political parties and powers. It is also a call for national unity, for a national congress. This is how we read this message.”