QENDIL MOUNTAINS, The Defence Regions of Medya, -- Murat Karayilan the President of Kurdistan’s Democratic Confederation stated that they would soon declare a "democratic autonomy" in Northern Kurdistan (southeast Turkey). "If Turkey does not accept this, it is their problem," he said.
The Kurdistan Worker Party (PKK) has significantly escalated attacks against the Turkish military positions after the end of its 6th unilateral ceasefire on 1st June. The PKK strategy is to extend its self-defence attacks on the Turkish military positions in the major Turkish cities, rather in the Kurdish heartlands.
Around 2.5 million British tourists visit Turkey each year. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office last night said they are advised "against all but essential travel" to the south east of Turkey due to the "high threat from terrorism".
Murat Karayilan said they had been left with no choice but to act as such following Turkish bombing raids on PKK bases in northern Iraq.
He also said the PKK would soon declare "democratic autonomy" in Northern Kurdistan (south east of Turkey). "If Turkey does not accept this, it is their problem," he said.
The compulsory war that has been imposed by the Turkish government on the Kurdish people has lasted 26 years and cost 40,000 lives mainly from Kurdish side. It has ushered into a new phase after the collapse of the 6th unilateral ceasefire declared by the PKK.
Despite the consistent raids one of the NATO’s largest armies against them, Mr Karayilan said the Kurdish forces could keep up the struggle for decades to come. "We are deeply rooted in the mountains and the hearts of our people in Kurdistan. We are able to live another 50 years like this,” he said.
