15 February marked the 23rd anniversary of the abduction of Kurdish people’s leader Abdullah Öcalan and dozens of protests around the world demanded his release.

PKK Central Committee member Cemal Şerik said that the consequences of the international conspiracy are now being felt in all areas of society. It is therefore a "great task and responsibility" to unite around the resistance of Imrali.

"Every day the conspiracy is better understood"

"On 15 February, the 24th year of the international conspiracy began. The 23rd year will be remembered as a year in which a great struggle was fought every day. Undoubtedly, the historical significance of the international conspiracy is better understood every day," said Şerik and added: "What is happening today in the international sphere, what is happening in Turkey, in Kurdistan and in the Middle East, makes this clear. Today everyone understands the importance of Rêber Apo [Abdullah Öcalan] in the ongoing Third World War. This fact also points to the deeper meaning of the international conspiracy. At first, the international conspiracy was seen as an attack on Rêber Apo. Apart from the Kurdish people, almost everyone saw it that way. The international powers assumed that a solution to the Kurdish question would be brought about in their favour. That solution should be genocide. This is what the attack on Rêber Apo aimed at. The PKK should also be destroyed through him and any resistance to genocide by the Kurdish people should be eliminated. But the stage the conspiracy has reached today has shown that much more was at stake. The conspiracy is not only aimed at Rêber Apo and the PKK. Nor was it aimed solely at genocide against the Kurdish people. Beyond all that, it was about a redesign of the world, it was about the so-called New World Order. That was also the goal of the international conspiracy against Rêber Apo."

"The conspiracy and resistance to it spread everywhere"

Şerik explained the background to the conspiracy: "The forces of globalized capitalism saw Rêber Apo as the greatest obstacle to their new world order and decided to eliminate him. In today's phase, it is clear that they could not succeed. The Third World War is now entering its 30th year. It is the longest-running war. When the war in the Middle East began, the intention was to bring it to a certain point by attacking Rêber Apo. Today, however, World War III is not limited to Kurdistan, nor to the Middle East. It spreads all over the world and extends to the Caucasus, to the shores of the Black Sea. The contradictions and conflicts between the global capital powers extend to the Far East. The clashes extend from Europe to Africa to the US. This is an indication of the phase of World War III that we are in. Despite this, resistance on Imrali continues. The resistance goes on in Kurdistan and in the Middle East and in that the implementation of the people's alternative to the New World Order becomes concrete. Given the scale that the international conspiracy has reached today, that is unequivocal. But one must also consider some facts in this context. In the last 23 years of the international conspiracy there have been major massacres and massive attacks in Kurdistan. Of course, these massacres led to strong resistance. This resistance has brought some realities to light.

"Kurdish blood on their hands"

One must be clear about this: the international conspiracy was planned entirely by the US and Israel and, to a certain extent, the UK have given their consent. After it got started, Greece and other European countries got involved. At the same time, treacherous, collaborating forces took part in this conspiracy. Therefore, the international conspiracy must be seen as a joint attack by all these forces. All forces involved in it have Kurdish blood on their hands. Therefore, the international conspiracy also means the declaration of a joint international attack on the Kurdish people. Such an internationally united genocidal attack has perhaps never been seen before in the world.

This is why the fight against the international conspiracy must also be waged at the international level. We bear the responsibility for an international and successful fight. The past 23 years have shown that."

"We have a great task and responsibility"

Şerik continued: "With the international conspiracy, the international powers have moved closer together. Today West Kurdistan (Rojava) is defending itself and so are the Medya Defense Zones. The resistance against the attacks in North Kurdistan and the other parts of Kurdistan should also be viewed in this context. This resistance describes a common, international resistance of  peoples against capitalist modernity. It tells of how people came together in battle, in the resistance of Kobanê, in the revolution of Rojava. In this sense, it represents an important, comprehensive and international response to the international conspiracy. This was noticeable in the Rojava revolution and it is concretely reflected in the commemoration of the fallen internationalists. That is why the international conspiracy also means the internationalization of the resistance. And this resistance continues to this day. It is also continued on Imrali. People from all over the world came together in this resistance. The international demonstrations for Rêber Apo, the resistance against his isolation and the fight for his freedom are an expression of this.

After the anniversary of the international conspiracy, we face the reality of an even greater struggle, task and responsibility.

What is it about? It must be understood that the breaking of the total isolation on Imrali means at the same time an expansion of the anti-fascist struggle. It is a major blow to Turkish colonialism, which seeks to darken the future of the peoples of Kurdistan, Turkey and the Middle East as the peoples rally around the Imrali resistance and smash the obstacles to democratization. Internationally, that would mean that capital is pushed back. This also means that the struggle of the peoples of the world for democracy and freedom will be advanced. Above all, of course, it means that the revolution of Kurdistan and the future of the peoples of the Middle East are guaranteed. If the necessities of this struggle are met, then fascism in Turkey will be pushed back, the Kurdish people will achieve their freedom, and the road to democratization will be paved for Turkey and the Middle East. With such tasks and responsibilities, we begin this 24th year of fighting the conspiracy.

This fight will not be easy. It will take a heavy toll. This was evident from the start of the international conspiracy. It is clear that this responsibility cannot be placed solely on the guerrillas in the Medya Defense Zones. What is needed is a continuous struggle in the cities. The resistance in the plains must be expanded. You have to fight abroad too. The international revolutionary, democratic-socialist forces must fulfil their own tasks and responsibilities in this struggle. We are entering such a phase of struggle. If we fulfil our tasks in this spirit, we will live up to our responsibility towards Rêber Apo."