Ahmet Karamus, Co-Chair of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), spoke to ANF about the symbolic weapon-burning ceremony organized by the Peace and Democratic Society Group in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî). In his remarks, he addressed the central role of Abdullah Öcalan in the peace process, the strategic significance of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement’s call to lay down arms, the pressures Kurds have faced, the importance of unity among Kurdish parties, and the geopolitical risks and opportunities carried by the geography of Kurdistan.
Karamus emphasized the century-long struggle of the Kurds, one of the oldest peoples of the Middle East and Mesopotamia, against statelessness and assimilation, stating that this historic process has now entered a new phase.
He noted that a just and lasting solution in Northern Kurdistan (Bakur) would only be possible if the call made by Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February is taken as its foundation. He stressed that this call should be embraced across all four parts of Kurdistan within a coherent and realistic framework grounded in national unity.
Karamus said, “The Kurdish Freedom Movement has reached this point through more than fifty years of political and organizational struggle, and through forty-five years of armed resistance. Mr. Öcalan’s leadership and political interlocutorship is now recognized not only by the Kurdish people, but also by international actors and regional powers, particularly Turkey. This is grounded in historical, sociological, and political reality. Therefore, the only legitimate interlocutor for a lasting peace and meaningful negotiation process is Mr. Öcalan.”
Karamus also drew attention to the dialogue process conducted with Öcalan during 2024, stating that the government’s failure to adequately inform the public about the content of these meetings and any possible agreements has created a serious problem of transparency and trust.
He emphasized that the demands put forward by Öcalan, grounded in a vision of peace and a democratic society, are clear and concrete, focused on establishing a legal framework and building democratic laws. However, Karamus noted that there remains uncertainty about how seriously the Turkish state is taking these demands.
Karamus warned, “If this process is once again concealed from society after reaching certain stages. The legitimacy of the dialogue and its societal support may be at risk.”
The message of burning weapons is for peace
Karamus described Abdullah Öcalan’s call for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to convene a congress and end the armed struggle against Turkey as a strategic turning point for Kurdish politics. He stated that the coming period would be shaped by a struggle grounded in this perspective.
Karamus referred to the symbolic weapon-burning ceremony held in the Casenê Cave in Sulaymaniyah and emphasized that this step clearly conveyed the Kurdish side’s message to the world: “We are ready for peace and democratic politics under all conditions; we are removing weapons from the equation.”
He underscored that this move was not an act of surrender but rather a strategic decision taken through the will of the Kurdistan Freedom Movement. Karamus stated:
“This is a reflection of the Kurdish people’s will for self-determination and their profound desire for peace. It is in no way a surrender. What the Kurdish side is saying here is: We are burying the weapons in the ground. We are removing weapons from the equation. We are removing weapons from the path in pursuit of peace and democracy. It is with this aim that we have burned our weapons.”
Karamus added that as long as the Kurdish question remains unresolved in a just manner and no agreement is reached in line with international norms, they will continue to view the Turkish state as “a force of threat and occupation against the Kurdish people.” He stressed that while the weapon-burning ceremony was a gesture of goodwill, the presence of guerrilla forces in the mountains continues and this should not be interpreted as a retreat or surrender.
Kurdistan’s geographical importance, risks, and regional dynamics
Karamus highlighted the geopolitical significance of the geography of Kurdistan within the Middle East, noting that this strategic location presents both historical opportunities and serious threats for the Kurdish people. He explained:
“The lands of the Kurds, divided into four parts, lie at the very center of energy sources, water routes, and trade corridors. It is the heart of Mesopotamia, the crossroads of oil and gas reserves. This geography makes the Kurds a constant point of interest for regional and global powers. However, this interest often turns not into respect for the Kurdish people’s right to self-determination, but into attempts at manipulation aligned with their own interests.
The recent attacks on oil and gas regions in Southern Kurdistan (Başur) are, according to Karamus, among the most concrete examples of this dynamic. He stated that the federal government of Iraq and especially Iran harbor deep intolerance toward the status and political presence Kurds have gained under the Iraqi Constitution. These attacks, he said, are a clear message from powers that cannot tolerate the Kurds’ growing regional influence and international relations.
Karamus added that the relationships Kurds have developed with global actors such as the United States, Israel, and even Russia have the potential to upend traditional power balances in the region. Some regional states perceive this not only as the rise of the Kurdish people, but also as a development that threatens their own security strategies and international standing.”
Karamus also commented on the Rojava region, emphasizing that the Democratic Autonomous Administration is a democratic model not only for the Kurds, but for all peoples of the Middle East. Karamus stated that this model remains under constant threat of attack and continued:
“Unfortunately, most of the forces currently in power in Syria, whether openly or covertly, follow an anti-Kurdish line. After the collapse of the Assad regime, jihadist and radical elements were legitimized and brought to power under a new guise. Their goal is the complete dismantling of the gains made by the Kurds in Rojava.
The attacks on Druze regions are a rehearsal for this broader campaign. Alawites, Druze, and other ethnic and religious groups are also being subjected to pressure through massacres and assaults. What they are waiting for is the right moment, the right conditions, an opportunity to launch a full-scale attack on the Kurds.
This trajectory does not only threaten the Kurds but also casts a dark shadow over all peoples and faith groups in Syria. But there is something that must not be forgotten: the Kurds possess both the strength and the position to protect their gains. Around the achievements in Rojava, the Kurdish people have the power to unite across the world.”
Ahmet Karamus continued his remarks by stressing that the intensifying pressure on Kurds in Eastern Kurdistan (Rojhilat) can no longer be ignored:
“The Iranian regime responds to the cultural and political demands of the Kurdish people with harsh repression, creating a persistent source of instability in the region. The regime’s inability to solve its internal problems remains a serious issue, driving its threats toward Kurdish movements in Rojhilat and its broader pressure on the people.
One of the main reasons behind Iran-backed attacks on the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq is precisely this repression, aimed at weakening unity among the Kurds. Iran’s strategy is to divide and control the Kurds from within.
Therefore, the repression in Rojhilat is not a localized matter, it directly affects all Kurds across the four parts of Kurdistan. The greatest weakness of the Kurdish people is the lack of internal unity. Political rivalries and divisions across the four parts of Kurdistan only strengthen the hand of hostile forces and block the development of a national strategy.
The absence of a shared will between the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) especially facilitates external interventions against the Kurds. The lack of political solidarity and joint governance among Kurdish actors opens the door to attacks on the region and paves the way for the erosion of hard-won gains. History makes it clear: the Kurds can only resist external threats by acting in unity.
Considering all these complex and sensitive dynamics, the only path toward a lasting and meaningful solution for the Kurdish people is through strong national unity and a shared strategy. Achieving the political, social, and cultural rights of all four parts of Kurdistan is only possible by this means.
If this unity is not established soon and no common strategy is formed, the gains made in Rojava, Southern Kurdistan, and Eastern Kurdistan will face serious threats. The current achievements of the Kurdish people are the guarantee of their right to self-determination and their continued existence.
No matter how important external support may be, nothing can replace the value of internal Kurdish unity. The Kurdish people, now facing a historic responsibility, can only attain the freedom and secure future they deserve by embracing national unity.”
Source: ANF News
