Guerrillas from the HPG (People’s Defense Forces) spoke to ANF on the occasion of the foundation anniversary of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) on 27 November 1978 in the village of Fis in Amed (tr. Diyarbakir) province. The guerrillas stated that all Kurds rose up thanks to the struggle led by Leader Abdullah Öcalan.

HPG Guerrilla Mordem Efrîn: “Our party, the PKK, has left 46 years behind and entered its 47th year. May this meaningful and historic day be blessed to Rêber Apo (Leader Abdullah Öcalan), to the HPG-YJA Star guerrillas fighting in the positions and war tunnels, and to all our people. Undoubtedly, the conditions that led to the establishment of the PKK represent an important period for the Kurdish people and the Middle East in particular. At that time, society was in the grip of great violence and genocide. In these difficult conditions, Rêber Apo took the first steps and founded the PKK. The PKK started with a small group; today it has gained thousands of cadres, millions of sympathisers and friends. This has an important meaning for us. Many revolutionary movements have emerged in history, but the PKK has a very different place. The PKK, which analysed the reality of that period in depth and lived among the people, built a social revolution against capitalist modernity. On the basis of Rêber Apo's philosophy, it has been shown that socialism should be based on a correct foundation. For this reason, the PKK has continued its struggle until today.

In particular, it fought against the occupying forces in Kurdistan and, first and foremost, against the occupying Turkish state. The Turkish state claimed that it had finished the Kurds, but with the struggle led by the PKK, the Kurds rose up. Today, the Kurdish people are leading the peoples of the world with their struggle. The PKK is fighting for humanity, and humanity sees its salvation in the PKK. The guerrilla struggle is for the peoples of the Middle East and for humanity. The people also consider and embrace this struggle as their own. The people support the guerrilla resistance with their marches. The 46-year struggle continues today and will end in victory. With the support and determination of the people, this victory will be won faster. The system of capitalist modernity will be destroyed. The PKK is the power of the people. Especially today, an inhuman war is being waged in Southern Kurdistan and Behdînan. What sustains the HPG and YJA Star guerrillas is the ideological and spiritual power of their party, the PKK. They are sacrificing themselves to protect their people. The guerrillas are defending human values. The PKK is no longer just a Kurdish party, it is a universal party and today it has become the hope of freedom for all humanity.”

HPG Guerrilla Şahîn Botan: “The PKK is the party of martyrs. The PKK was founded by our Leader in memory of our pioneer comrade, the martyr Haki Karer. Thanks to the sacrifices of Rêber Apo and our martyrs, we have achieved many gains until today. It is very important to get to know the PKK and grasp its reality. The PKK is a movement for humanity. It has defended its culture, language, people and country. Before the PKK was founded, there was nothing left in the name of the Kurds and Kurdistan. Kurds could not speak their mother tongue or live their culture.

However, the struggle that started with Rêber Apo's words ‘Kurdistan is a colony’ has reached a very strong point today. The Turkish state, with the support of imperialist powers, is attacking the Kurdish people and all libertarian movements. However, against these attacks, our comrades who resist in the tunnels put up the greatest sacrifice. It is very important to understand this reality and live accordingly.

One who does not see the truth cannot wage a correct struggle against the enemy. Those who do not wage a real struggle are assimilated into the enemy and lose their humanity, language, culture and identity. This is why it is so important to live with the PKK and to be a PKK member. Our leader built a party that granted our people their identity. Rêber Apo's ideology has spread all over the world today and the struggle for his physical freedom continues. The Rojava Revolution and the struggle all over Kurdistan were born from the reality of the PKK. The PKK is a movement that embodies the history of Kurdistan and humanity. There is no life without the PKK. Those who are on the side of the PKK are collaborating with Kurdish enemies and betraying their people and country. But the PKK and the guerrillas stand against this occupation. The PKK is not only a Kurdish movement, it is an international movement. The PKK defends human values and the culture of free life. Finally, I congratulate Rêber Apo, the martyrs of the revolution, all the comrades and our people struggling for freedom on the anniversary of the founding of the PKK.”