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PKK confident of victory in ‘people’s revolutionary war’ against Turkish invaders in Iraqi Kurdistan
A PKK flag

KURDISTAN Workers Party (PKK) commander Murat Karayilan claimed guerilla forces would be victorious in their fight against Turkish invaders yesterday, two weeks after Ankara launched its latest operation in Iraqi Kurdistan. 

“There is no more legitimate cause than the Kurdish issue. We believe in our minds and methods, and are confident in our people’s revolutionary war,” he said.  

“With this determination we fight the enemy, as the enemy tries to achieve results through methods that are immoral, therefore victory will be the guerilla forces ally.”

According to a PKK statement at least 14 Turkish soldiers have been killed since Operation Claw Lock was launched in the Avashin, Metina and Zap mountains, known collectively as the Medya Defence Zones, last month.

Kurdish resistance forces said the latest military incursion was launched with the support of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) which has sent Peshmerga forces to the region. 

Earlier this week, PKK de facto leader Cemil Bayik said that the Turkish invasion was linked to plans for oil to be shipped out of Iraqi Kurdistan to Europe to end reliance on Russian supplies.  

“Because of the war between Russia and Ukraine, these forces now want to cut off Russian gas supplies to Europe and instead supply Europe with gas from the Middle East. 

“This gas pipeline passes through Kurdistan. Therefore, the goal of these forces is to control this corridor. This is why they want to destroy the PKK and silence the Kurdish people. 

“They think that by doing so, they will be able to easily transfer Middle Eastern gas to Europe,” he said. 

Leader of the KDP and Prime Minister of the Kurdistan region Masrour Barzani met his British counterpart Boris Johnson earlier this month where the pair discussed bilateral trade, including the sale of oil. 

But he faced a hostile reception from a group of Kurdish diaspora who pelted his car with eggs, angered over alleged corruption and  oil deals struck with Turkey behind the backs of both parliament and the people.

Turkey insists its operation is aimed at defeating the PKK with the country’s armed forces claiming they want to take control of its Qandil stronghold and build a permanent presence 

But thousands of Kurdish villagers have been forced from their homes while Turkey is accused of war crimes including the bombing of hospitals, a UN-administered refugee camp and using chemical weapons.   

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