Habibe Eren 

 

ISTANBUL - Reacting to the KDP's joint operation in Metina in cooperation with the TSK, the Peace Mothers stated that they did not accept any reason that could cause to war. Reminding the words of KDP leader Mesut Barzani that "Kurdish blood will not be shed by Kurdish hands," the mothers called for him to keep his word.

 

The operation launched by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) in the Zap, Avaşin and Metina regions in the Federated Kurdistan Region is about to leave its second month behind. While many villages on the border line were evacuated due to the operation, it was revealed to the public that the groups involved in the operation were cutting trees in the region. The cut trees were brought to Turkey by companies and sold. On the other hand, the forest fires in the Deşîşê, Teşîşê villages and Qumriye areas of Metina, where the operation continue. In a process where the conflict between the Turkish army and People’s Defense Forces (HPG) in Metina became widespread, the partnership of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) with the Turkish Armed Forces increased public concerns and increased the reactions against the KDP.

 

Istanbul Peace Mothers Initiative reacted to the attitude of the KDP and called for it to abandon its wrong decision.

 

‘We do not accept any reason that may cause war’

 

Stating that they do not accept any reason to cause war among the Kurds, Emine Duman drew attention to the fact that thousands of political prisoners are being held in prisons today. She said: "Our villages were burned and evacuated. They drove us from our homes. Now, why does Barzani agree with those who do these things?" Emine stated that the Kurdish people have been fighting for 40 years and said: "I am calling out to Barzani, that he withdraws his soldiers in front of the people. We do not want soldiers, peshmerga or guerrillas to die. Mothers are burning inside."

 

‘Barzani said he will not shed Kurdish blood, let’s keep his word’

 

Drawing attention to the ongoing hunger strikes demanding the end of isolation in prisons, Emine said: Mothers cannot sleep. What do they want from the Kurds? We wanted peace. Barzani must fight for this. "Before the PKK emerged, they were in a constant state of war. The PKK became a dove of peace among them. Barzani should first ask Turkey to account for why it sent our politicians to prison."

Reacting to the felling of trees in the region as a result of the operation, Emine said: "A mother said, 'They took away our trees, our honor is the same thing.' She says right. Its cutting down trees before her eyes. The lands of Kurdistan are not ownerless. Barzani had previously said, "Kurdish blood will not be shed by Kurdish hands." Let’s keep his words. We raised our children with the stories of the peshmerga. Don't let your sibling shed your sibling’s blood. The guerrillas defend their land. Why is the Turkish state going there and bombing the mountains?

 

‘Women in Başȗr should oppose men who want war’

 

Saying, "Kurds should give roses to each other," Emine pointed out that women would bring peace and stated: "Let's do it now, just as women could get into and settle an argument in the past. Our call is also to the mothers in Başȗr. Let them take to the streets to oppose the men who want war. And let the peshmerga not harm your own sibling."

 

‘Barzani needs to see this game’

 

Medine Bektaş also stated that they do not want the blood of the Kurds to be shed and said: “Why does Barzani shed the blood of his siblings? We do not want war. Barzani is playing a game but does not know how to play it. He is fighting against the PKK as one with Turkey. We do not accept Barzani's help to Erdoğan. This partnership will also harm Barzani the day after tomorrow. All states have united against the Kurds. Barzani should see this game well. Let the guerrilla and the peshmerga unite in Başȗr Kurdistan. Our children are in prison for this right now. We don't want war."

 

‘Barzani does not follow his father’s path’

 

Saying, "We want this war to stop," Fatma also addressed the Iraqi Regional Government and stated: "If Barzani had a conscience, he wouldn't be in this situation. Barzani does not follow his father's path. He is hostile to his sibling. If he is not helping the guerrilla, he should not cooperate with others. If they do not feel like asking for peace, let them stay at home and not cause any other harm. Everyone should speak up in the face of this situation."

 

‘People of Başȗr should stand against Barzani’

 

Feride Ertuğrul, on the other hand, called on all those who do not want war not to remain silent against this situation. Feride said: "Let Barzani help the guerrilla, not the Turks. Many years has Barzani been helping the Turks for their interests. The Kurds have not confiscated anyone's land so far. This is cruelty. Barzani should see this. The people of Başȗr should stand against Barzani. The Turkish state should not allow it to enter those lands."