The Israel-Iran war is expected to impact not only Turkey, Iraq, and the Gulf states, but also other countries across the Middle East, and is likely to have lasting effects on the entire region. As these developments unfold, public attention has turned toward states that respond to demands for democratization with repression.

Abdullah Öcalan’s call and the congress decision of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) initiated a new peace process. However, as Turkey chose to prolong the process, the threat of war has approached its borders. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chairperson Devlet Bahçeli warned that a war threat against Turkey is imminent, yet the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has taken no concrete steps toward peace.

Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Diyarbakır (Amed) Provincial co-chair, Ahmet Doğan, shared his assessment with ANF about the ongoing war between Iran and Israel and its potential regional consequences: “We are witnessing extremely rapid developments in the Middle East. Since the Gulf War, a policy of redesigning the region has been in motion. It has become evident that a new configuration is underway in the Middle East, that the nation-state paradigm has collapsed, and that this model no longer fits the region. Because national borders and security policies have begun to pose obstacles to global capital, a new phase of redesign has started. We now live in a world where production-based policies have largely been abandoned. As we know, after the Gulf War came the wars in Palestine, Syria, Iraq, and Lebanon. Israel’s strike on Iran constitutes the third pillar of this regional reconfiguration.

It was clear to everyone that Iran would be targeted. It is precisely at this point that Devlet Bahçeli’s outreach to the DEM Group in October stemmed from these concerns. On 27 February, following the call made by Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK declared its decision to lay down arms.”

The solution lies in the democratic society

Ahmet Doğan emphasized that the war between Iran and Israel poses a threat not only to Turkey but to the entire region. He stated: “With the strike on Iran, the Turkish government began declaring that war is at the doorstep. Discourse about the war posing a threat to Turkey has become increasingly common. For this reason, the only way for Turkey to avoid major damage from the unfolding events in the Middle East is to establish a serious peace with the Kurdish people. This peace must be based on the principles of fraternity and justice. If Turkey takes this step, it can save itself from the fire that is spreading.”

Doğan underlined the sincerity of Kurdish people's leader Abdullah Öcalan on this issue. “If we look at his statements throughout history, we see that he has never taken a step back. He has always stood by his words with honesty and commitment. The 'democratic society' paradigm will bring peace to the peoples of the Middle East. It is around this paradigm that coexistence can flourish, and the peoples of the region can finally breathe within a democratic constitutional framework. Otherwise, wars driven by power and interest will bring no benefit to the people.”

He concluded: “Therefore, not only Turkey, but all states and peoples of the Middle East, especially Israel, can only find salvation by rallying around the paradigm introduced by Mr. Öcalan. Otherwise, this bloodshed and warfare will not come to an end.”

Turkey must not delay peace any longer

Ahmet Doğan stressed that the outbreak of war has once again made it necessary to resolve the Kurdish question in Turkey. Doğan said: “There have been crimes, repression, forced displacements, and arrests targeting the Kurdish people. Both the state and the government know this very well: the word of the Kurdish people's leader is absolute. At this moment, the only person in the Middle East whose word is genuinely trusted is the Kurdish people's leader himself.

In this context, Turkey must not wait any longer. If it establishes peace with the Kurdish people without damaging their dignity and political status, we can all escape this hell in the Middle East together. If Turkey builds a just and sincere relationship with the Kurds on the right foundation, it will be able to avoid war. Otherwise, we are entering a very dangerous phase. The only way to escape this fire is to make peace with the Kurdish people on a true and just basis.”