The Situation in Kurdistan and the Middle East From a Revolutionary Perspective: Widerstandsvernetzung Switzerland

Following the developments of recent months, we as revolutionary internationalists are confronted
with various questions and contradictions that need to be analysed. First and foremost, we would like
to point out that the geopolitical situation in the wake of the imperialist wars is developing at a speed
that makes it impossible for us to make precise predictions. It is important for us to recognise and
understand what ishappening in general and to develop our next steps from this.

– The general development –

Abdullah Öcalan’s appeal calls for the dissolution and disarmament of the PKK. However, this is by no
means unconditional and is not aimed at ending the struggle, but at a process of renewal of the
movement. As a result, the military forces in the mountains have withdrawn and moved into a position
of defence. Of course, they continue to exercise their right to self-defence. “We are capable of
attacking Ankara if necessary,” as the commander Murat Karayılan clearly expressed the guerrillas’
capabilities. Meanwhile, Turkey’s attacks are not only continuing unabated, they have even intensified. The whole thing has to be understood as a process, and in order to assess it correctly, we have to look at the current situation of the guerrillas in the mountains of Kurdistan, in Rojava, but also at the overall situation in the Middle East and geopolitical developments.

A lot has happened in the Middle East in the last year and a half: the collapse of the Syrian regime and the takeover by the jihadist militias of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) under al-Dscholani, the genocide in Gaza by the Israeli army and its Western allies and the war in Lebanon, to name but a few. The weakening of the axis of resistance in turn led to the further isolation of the Iranian regime. The new order in the region has not yet been established.

Turkey is increasingly losing its role as the strongest regional power to the Israeli state, which in turn
is supported by US imperialism. This development raises the question for Turkey of how to position
itself in the Middle East in the future. Turkish fascism is responding to its political and economic crisis
in an attempt to close its own ranks, i.e. to strengthen its internal front. The arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu
– the mayor of Istanbul – shows just how precarious the situation is inside Turkey. This arrest was just
the last drop of oil that ignited the anger of the masses. Since then, they have taken to the streets and
turned against Turkish fascism.

– The free mountains of Kurdistan –

The process that has been set in motion is not only the result of geopolitical developments in the
region, but also of the direct military confrontation between the Turkish state and the guerrillas.
Overall, the war situation in the mountains can be seen as a stalemate, which in itself represents a
huge success for the guerrilla forces. The guerrillas have not only managed to hold their own ground
against the second largest NATO army for several decades. It has also succeeded in developing its
strategic and operational capabilities to the point where it is able to confront the enemy offensively.
Recent successes in the field of air operations and air defence bear witness to this. The guerrillas are
also capable of operating under the enemy’s nose and penetrating its heart.

Despite numerous announcements, the Turkish army has failed to crush the guerrillas and to advance
to Kandil. It is openly showing its desperation by repeatedly attacking the guerrillas’ war tunnels with
chemical weapons. This situation has not come about overnight, but over many years. It is sufficient
proof of the ability of the armed forces to constantly evolve, not to shy away from criticism and self-
criticism and to draw consequences from them.

– The revolutionary process –

The revolutionary process unites two sides – the military and the political. One cannot exist without the
other and yet one must be the leading side. Therefore, it is important to recognise when which side
must be the leading one. A shift can open up political spaces that can be filled with content. This is the
case in Syria, for example, with the fall of the Assad regime. It remains to be seen who will prevail there and how. Basically, we trust that our friends on the ground will do everything in their power to ensure that everything that has been built and fought for in Rojava in recent years is defended with all their might.

The history of revolutionary movements also shows that the revolutionary process has more sides than the military one. Moreover, negotiations and ceasefires have always been a part of war. Dogmatic clinging to the old is bound to fail. . The art of developing the old into the new is not achieved in one fell swoop, but through a process – adapting to the circumstances while preserving the revolutionary content.

As revolutionary internationalists in Europe, we must support progressive movements worldwide with
all our strength and stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with all oppressed peoples in the struggle
against fascism and imperialism. We must trust in our own strength and develop our own political line.
The enemy – the war profiteers and warmongers – is still in our own country. Let us act according to
this maxim!

Widerstandsvernetzung Switzerland, March 2025

https://abolitionmedia.noblogs.org/?p=18505

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Weekly highlight from your anarchist comrades in #NES
31.03.25 - 06.04.25

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# ISRAEL ATTACKS AND TENSIONS WITH TURKEY
Israeli troops in southern Syria were met with resistance when some armed individuals confronted their advances with light weapons. After a brief exchange of fire IDF soldiers withdrew from the area, hitting back with artillery shells and airstrikes leaving at least 9 dead. Several Israeli airstrikes hit locations in Damascus, Hama and Homs, where Turkey aimed to build a military air base. Israeli state sources said the attacks are a warning against Turkish expansion in Syria, referring to reported Turkish plans to take control of Tiyas airbase in Homs countryside with a view to deploy air defense batteries and drones. Turkish official channels strongly denounced the Israeli attacks, but also stated that Turkey has no intentions to escalate conflict and risk war with Israel. Thousands of Syrians from Daraa gathered at the funeral of those killed by Israeli airstrikes and elsewhere protests were held to denounce the Israeli aggression.

# AGREEMENT ON YPG AND YPJ WITHDRAWAL FROM ALEPPO
Following agreements between the provisional government and SDF, negotiations to normalize the situation in the Kurdish neighborhoods of Aleppo became the first visible step of the military reorganization of Northern Syria. A convoy of hundreds of fighters left the historic Kurdish neighborhoods of Şêx Meqsûd and Eşrefiyê, waving YPG and YPJ flags, escorted by forces of the Ministry of Defense. The convoy moved to Tabqa and other areas under control of SDF. The negotiations included exchange of prisoners, with around 100 prisoners from each side already transferred. Political agreements include certain autonomy of the local political institutions and organizations, as well as representation in the political organs of the region. Military forces connected with the Ministry of Defense will have presence in the area, but local Kurdish security forces (Asayish) will remain in the neighborhoods to ensure protection of the population, with agreements to integrate them in the security and police institutions of Aleppo in the future. Local structures will persist until a permanent solution is reached within the ongoing negotiations for all north-east Syria and freedom of movement in the city will be ensured for all residents. Observers suggest that the Aleppo Agreement could serve as a template for similar understandings in other contested regions of Syria, particularly where different military and political actors maintain overlapping spheres of control.

# ASSYRIAN NEW YEAR AND DECLARATIONS AGAINST THE NEW CONSTITUTION
The Assyrian new year - Akito - was celebrated all along northern Syria on the first of April, with Assyrians, Syriacs and Chaldeans gathering to dance and celebrate. The Assyrian community also made clear at those events that they are not sufficiently represented in the new Syrian state, with declarations and statements denouncing the lack of diversity and inclusivity in the new constitution. Major Assyrian cultural organizations believe minorities are under threat due to the salafist ideology underlying the new government.

CELEBRATIONS FOR ÖCALAN'S BIRTHDAY AND THE FOUNDATION OF YPJ
On April 4th many people celebrated the birthday of Abdullah Öcalan. In Rojava it is common to organize reforestation events, planting trees to restore forests and celebrate nature. This is also the day that YPJ was founded, marking 13 years of struggle in defense of the people of north-east Syria and against patriarchy. YPJ organized events highlighting the importance of women resistance and struggle and the value of Öcalan’s ideas in the revolution of north-east Syria. In Bakur, northern Kurdistan, people marched to Amara village, the birth place of Öcalan. On their arrival to Amara village they called for the Turkish state to act following the message of Öcalan and take steps towards democratization and engagement with the Kurdish political question.

# REHABILITATION WORKS IN TISHRIN DAM
Technical teams have begun maintenance and repair operations at Tishrin Dam, paving the way for the restoration of its services and electricity generation. The dam has been a strategic point in the clashes between SDF and SNA Turkish proxies, suffering critical damage from Turkish bombs and attacks against SDF. As the military conflict slows down and negotiations advance, the rehabilitation of such critical infrastructure is a major step that can help provide electricity to the Syrian people. Clashes between Turkish proxies and SDF are not totally halted, but such initiative may suggest that agreements can make way for restoring Syria energy capacity. This would not have been possible without the efforts and sacrifices of the many civilian convoys that kept vigil on Tishrin dam, preventing further damage to it by Turkish attacks. The vigil goes on after several months of uninterrupted presence, keeping watch on the dam and supporting the resistance of SDF against Turkish attacks.

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24.03.25-30.03.25
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# RENEWED CLASHES WITH TURKISH PROXIES
Turkish attacks against SDF continued. The intensity of Turksih attacks decreased since the beginning of March, as negotiations about a ceasefire took place and negotiations for the integration of SDF in the new Syrian army developed. Nevertheless, new attacks in the west bank of the Euphrates river from SNA Turkish proxies this last week, proved that the end of hostilities is not yet a reality. SDF also published footage of three new Turkish military bases being build in Manbij countryside, with videos of alleged Turkish military convoys that include armored vehicles and advanced military equipment such as radars, circulating at night in areas under control of Turkish proxy forces. Rumors about direct negotiations between AKP (Turkish ruling party) and SDF circulate on social networks together with speculations about steps for peace talks between Turkish state and PKK, but until now there are no official announcements in such direction.

# FORMATION OF THE 'SYRIAN EQUAL CITIZENSHIP ALLIANCE' or 'TAMASUK'
In reaction to the provisional constitution that the transitional government recently presented, an alliance of more than 30 diverse political parties and civil society organized groups was formed. The main aim of this alliance, including the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) and other Kurdish, Christian, and Druze-affiliated groups, is to demand a new Syrian constitution that respects the diversity of Syria as well as promoting a decentralized and democratic Syrian State. The alliance founding statement present itself not as direct opposition to the government but working towards a unified Syria, willing to engage with all political forces, including the government of al-Sharaa.

# NEW APPOINTED FATWA SUPREME COUNCIL AND RENEWED TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT
On Friday March 28 al-Sharaa appointed 15 members to the newly formed supreme Fatwa council. The council will oversee religious rulings on critical issues and will be lead by Osama al-Rifai, who have close connections with Turkish president Erdogan and the Muslim Brotherhood. Al-Rifai was appointed as Grand Mufti of Syria in 2021 and have been a prominent Islamic scholar in the opposition to al-Assad regime. Several notable HTS-affiliated scholars, including Sheikh Abdul Rahim Atun, former HTS-backed Supreme Fatwa Council member Anas Ayrut, and new Minister of Justice Mazhar al Wais, also sit on the new council.
On Saturday March 29 al-Sharaa also announced the list of the ministers of the new transitional government. HTS loyalists and other men close to al-Sharaa keep their positions in key cabinets, with some new names of technocrats that join the government in less critical ministries. The government remains therefore arab, suni and HTS dominated, including some tokenized members from ethnic minority groups. The Syrian Democratic Council (SDC, political body aligned with the DAANES) made a statement denouncing this new government as a continuation of the exclusion politics of the Syrian State, declaring that the DAANES have no obligation to implement the decisions of such government and that it will continue working for a democratic Syria.

# FIRST KURDISH WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN NORTH-EAST SYRIA
The inaugural Kurdish Women's Conference was held in North-East Syria on March 23rd, aimed at amplifying the voices of Kurdish women within the evolving Syrian society and fostering a path toward a unified, democratic future. Approximately 300 delegates are participating, including representatives from political parties, intellectuals, authors, artists, journalists, and women from diverse organizations and movements. The conference features representatives from the women's committees of the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) as well as from Aleppo and Damascus. Among the topics was the importance of the continuation of YPJ and womens self-defense as well as rejecting the Damascus constitution. Suad Mistefa, mother of Martyr Hevrin Xelef, said that women cannot be deceived by this constitution and that the slogan “Jin, Jiyan, Azadi” will always win.

# INTERNATIONAL SEHIDS MEMORIAL
On March 24 a commemoration for international sehids took place in Qamsihlo, gathering dozens of internationals to remember the struggle of our internationalist fallen comrades. March 24 is the date that Elefteria Fortulakis, a woman from Greece, burned herself in 2006 to protest for the imprisonment of Abdullah Ocalan. It was the 5th year this commemoration took place in Rojava, with delegates from “families for peace” from Germany as well as other groups and organizations. The event also hosted the screening of the movie “Legerin – In search of Alina”, exploring the life of sehid Legerin, a doctor from Argentina who joined the guerilla in the Kurdish mountains and lost her life in a car accident in Rojava in 2018.

# EID CELEBRATIONS
At the end of March, closing the Ramadan, the celebrations of Eid become an important event in all Muslim world. In Syria Eid started on March 31st, and for 3 days families will be visiting relatives and friends, eating sweets and strengthening social bonds. Political organizations also celebrate eid visiting each other and building diplomatic relations. The new transitional government made a televised prayer all together from the presidential palace.

# (SOME THOUGHTS, NOT SO MUCH OF) ANALYSIS
The celebrations of eid are an important reminder of the value of social bonds in this society, with kurdish and arab mothers and grandmothers spreading sweets and candies among kids on the streets. Every receiving guests and going to visiting their relatives and neighbors for three days. It also comes with the arrival of the spring, as well as the recent celebrations of newroz dancing around the fire. It also come together with the celebrations of Akito, the Assyrian new year, making a very lively days and cheerful days. News of agreements and peace talks combine good with the atmosphere of this festivity, combining well with hopes of peaceful times and the end of bloodshed in Syria.

For us it’s also an important time to join the local rhythm of this society, to visit friends and neighbors and receive the guests that come to visit us, putting in practice the lessons of hospitality and cultural fluency we learned over the years living and taking part of this revolutionary society. And yes, it’s true that there is a religious component in these celebrations, as Christmas does in christian countries, but we also learned to not focus on that aspect and to value these days for the human and social aspect they bring. Social relations are the key to sustain the networks of mutual aid that are foundational in our anarchist values, and every opportunity to strengthen these bonds of friendship and solidarity should be cherished and celebrated.

Revolutionary greetings!
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