In the ongoing war between Iran and Israel-United States, it is the people who are suffering the greatest harm. In Iran in particular, where a heavy embargo is in place, people are facing serious difficulties with accessing food, communication and housing, while they are also being forced to wait for days at border crossings. At a time when threats related to the war continue, rhetoric targeting Iraq and Rojava has also resurfaced.
Yüksel Mutlu, Deputy Co-Chair responsible for the Peoples and Faiths Commission of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), emphasized the importance of the peoples’ joint struggle and the “third way” line against ongoing war policies. Mutlu said that the importance of Kurdish unity has once again come to the fore and added: “The spirit of isolation can be overcome through a common struggle.”
Mutlu noted that the conflicts in the region are not merely a military process, stating that the Middle East is being reshaped. She said the process that began in Syria is now continuing with Iran and argued that the forces of capitalist modernity are attempting to restructure the Middle East. According to Mutlu, this period of chaos also opens a window of opportunity for peoples and opposition groups.
Developing a common struggle among peoples is vital
Yüksel Mutlu pointed to the situation in Iran and said: “In this period of chaos, if those who resist, the opposition and the different peoples cannot achieve unity and a common struggle, then while a monist nation-state collapses, another will be built in its place. The forces of capitalist modernity are destroying a state that has worn out and lost legitimacy in the eyes of the people and are attempting to construct a new one. In Iran, an inhumane conflict and an inhumane war are taking place. However, there is a totalitarian mullah regime in Iran, a regime that oppresses different societies, cultures and peoples in the country and that executes young Kurdish women and Kurdish men. In fact, this is a monist Islamist regime that must come to an end.”
Mutlu underlined that the Kurdish people must protect themselves amid the wars unfolding across the Middle East and continued: “The forces of capitalist modernity are carrying out a comprehensive redesign of the Middle East. This redesign includes Iraq, Iran and Syria. Israel and the United States aim to eliminate all forces that could challenge them in order to strengthen their own power and security. In other words, a policy is being pursued to increase Israel’s reliability and security in the Middle East. In this context, Kurds are carrying out a struggle in the four parts of Kurdistan. Abdullah Öcalan had also stated during the Imralı talks that the Kurds must protect themselves.”
We are following the third way politics
Yüksel Mutlu said that in this period of conflict, the side that stands strong and relies on the people will prevail, emphasizing that her party’s only line is peace. Mutlu said: “Our only line here is non-conflict, dialogue, negotiation and peace. The paradigm put forward by Abdullah Öcalan describes the conflict between the forces of democratic modernity and the forces of capitalist modernity in the Middle East. In this conflict, the side that stands strong, relies on the people and continues the struggle will prevail. We have no alignment either with the United States or with the mullah regime in Iran. We are following the third way politics in which peoples choose their own struggle. If the democratic society paradigm takes root in the Middle East, peace can be achieved in the region for all different communities, beliefs and women.”
We must struggle to realize this paradigm
Yüksel Mutlu emphasized that all segments of society must engage in organized struggle for the paradigm put forward by Abdullah Öcalan to be realized. Mutlu said, “Abdullah Öcalan is sending a message to women, youth and all different segments of society (Alevi, Turkmen and Kurd) and he says: ‘Protect yourselves here,’ He is delivering a message to all the poor, workers, women and every segment of society.”
Mutlu added that the paradigm can find real resonance in society only through organized struggle and a strong spirit of unity.
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