‘Turkey uses chemical weapons with support from KDP’

Five HPG members were killed and two were injured in the Xelîfan region in South Kurdistan as a consequence of an ambush by armed forces linked with the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), which is engaging in Turkey’s activities against the Federal Kurdistan Region. Families of the two guerrillas from Rojava planned to cross from North and East Syria to the Kurdistan Region through the Semalka Border Crossing to receive the bodies of their martyrs. The relatives’ vigil protest, which was hindered by KDP forces, has been going on for 26 days.

Mehmet Ali Ertaş, a reporter for Xwebûn, spoke with Neceh Gulo, a member of the Qamishlo Martyrs’ Families Association, about the families’ vigil. Gulo stated that the action was carried out with the people’s support and solidarity, but that the KDP had not met the requests so far, and that their written appeals had also been refused. She stated that they travelled to the Semalka Border Gate with 22 mothers but were stopped by KDP armed troops and continued, “Our way was blocked. We were not allowed to meet with the authorities. We were told that the bodies of the martyrs are either in Iran or in Turkey.”

‘PARTIES SHOULD BREAK THEIR SILENCE’

Gulo reported that their second written application was again rejected, and this time they were threatened and they said that ‘We will not do anything until the tent is removed. Gulo criticized the Kurds’ silence, saying, “Silence bears great danger. We expect that Kurdish parties will break their silence, listen to us, and respond to this crisis. No Kurdish party has ever asked about our demands. The entire world is watching us. We want the bodies of our martyrs.”

REACTION AGAINST TURKEY’S USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS

Reacting to the international forces that support Turkey’s attacks, Gulo called out, “The authorities who remain silent on Turkey’s use of chemical weapons should know that Turkey is using these weapons to commit genocide against Kurds in Kurdistan’s mountains.”

Stating that Turkey used chemical weapons with the support of the KDP, Gulo said, “We are aware of the relationship between the KDP and Erdogan. This alliance is responsible for the attacks in Kurdistan. They declared war on our children with the help of the KDP. They did not, however, achieve the desired outcome. They used chemical weapons this time. As a result of the chemical weapons strike, our children were killed. We repeat our appeal to the KDP: Do not support Turkey’s assaults. Kurdish parties should come to their senses and strive for unity.”

Regarding the undelivered bodies of martyrs, Gulo said, “Our bodies are not given to us so that their betrayal remains hidden. That is why the bodies are said to be somewhere in Iran or Turkey.”

‘WE WILL NOT TOLERATE BETRAYAL’

Addressing the Kurds about the martyrs, Gulo said, “All mothers should unite in their opposition to these practices. We want the bodies back. The KDP, in collaboration with Turkey, is concealing our mortal remains. This is an attack against the Kurds’ will. Whatever happens, we will respond to these attacks. We will not tolerate betrayal or massacres.”