The 12th Congress of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) was held between May 5 and 7 in the Medya Defense Zones in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) with the participation of 232 delegates. At the congress, all delegates unanimously decided to end activities carried out under the name of the PKK.

Speaking at the congress, PKK Central Committee member Hêlîn Ümit said: “We cannot question the ideology that the PKK has held since its inception. It was shaped by the conditions of the world in which it existed and acquired its character accordingly. It progressed by its very nature. At that time, Marx's historical analysis, that is, the ideological background we rely on, had not yet reached this stage. As a result of the efforts, work, and great labor of the leader, a new path was opened that diverged from nation-state socialism, that is, a path that took up and evaluated the socialist tradition but diverged from it. A path of freedom was opened. I think it is important to understand and internalize this well.”

Commenting on how the process developed by Abdullah Öcalan should be interpreted, Ümit said, “If we understand and comprehend the leader correctly, realistically, and scientifically, and try to participate in it in the same way, we will experience a similar labor process, a similar participation process, a similar concentration process, and a similar responsibility process.”

Ümit remarked that the PKK has been a source of hope for both the Kurdish people and the peoples of the world since its formation, saying, “From the moment it was formed, the PKK took shape and developed within a certain worldview. It waged a struggle based on this worldview. As our comrades have also stated, this struggle has brought to light some of the most epic developments that humanity has ever witnessed. It has been a new path to freedom and a new hope for freedom not only for the Kurdish people and the people of Kurdistan, but also for the peoples of the world. And we have all shared in this truth. We have lived and continue to live with this honor.”

Hêlîn Ümit pointed out that the change regarding whether the Apoist Movement can continue under the name PKK should be interpreted in light of recent scientific developments, emphasizing that the transformation should not be evaluated in terms of success or failure. Ümit said, “Actually, could this have continued with the PKK? Was it possible? I think the conditions and groundwork were there. Now, we should not evaluate the current process solely in terms of success or failure, but rather in terms of the stage the world has reached, the changing political balances, scientific developments, and advances in science and technology. I would like to say that it is important to see the big picture and make interpretations from this perspective.”

Hêlîn Ümit continued: “The leader said, ‘I am excited.’ I must say that I also feel that excitement. It has been a very turbulent process, full of emotions. That is, there were concerns, insecurities, expectations—as mentioned in our report—and it was a period of intense special warfare and psychological warfare. It was not a process we lived through with straightforward emotions. It doesn't work that way. However, the leader says, 'I am excited,' and I also feel a deep need for change, both for myself and in terms of the struggle. Now is the time to understand this correctly and put it into practice. I can make this promise myself. To the best of my ability, even beyond my capabilities, I can promise to understand the Leader correctly and to hold onto and participate in all the tasks ahead of us in the coming period.”