It’s unusual that someone with my passions for geography, history, and social justice, and a strong belief in self-determination, hasn’t paid much attention to the Kurdish people’s struggle until now. This past indifference has transformed into deep admiration.
I recall seeing posters of a Kurdish leftist organization in Frankfurt in 2010 and being intrigued, but dismissed it as an isolated incident. The turmoil caused by Islamic fundamentalism made me view the Middle East and leftist politics as incompatible. This is especially poignant considering the numerous leftist groups that thrived in the region in the 1970s, from Palestine to Afghanistan, embracing Arab Socialism and Iranian communists, later decimated by Khomeini. Last May Day in Berlin, amidst the joyous celebrations, I encountered many booths from Kurdish leftist organizations (alongside Turkish ones, which was truly inspiring). However, my disinterest in the Kurdish people persisted.
It was only in recent weeks, witnessing the Kurdish Army and volunteers heroically battling the Islamic State, that my interest blossomed into admiration. Nearly half of the Kurdish troops are women – brave, unveiled women willing to sacrifice their lives fighting against a monstrosity unmatched since Nazi Germany (my uncle aptly compared the rise of the Islamic State to an alien invasion intent on enslaving and destroying humanity). PKK, the group labeled as terrorists by the Turkish government (that so-called “friend of the West” with its Islamist agenda, supporting Islamist terrorists in Syria, repressing Turkish leftist organizations, killing demonstrators, and denying the Armenian Genocide), helped rescue the Yazidis trapped on Mount Sinjar from the Islamic State’s brutality. Originally Marxist-Leninist, they’ve evolved into a modern leftist organization deeply committed to the freedom of diverse groups (Arabs, Christians, Yazidis) within their territory.
The developments in Syrian Kurditan, Rojava concerning the People Protection Units (YPG) are noteworthy. This democratically-run militia, like other Kurdish troops (PKK, Peshmerga), enjoys the support of the non-Kurdish population within its territory. While I’m generally not a fan of Vice News, this video is quite compelling.
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In recent months, Kurdish residents of Toulouse have been gathering at Place du Capitole to raise awareness about the plight of their homeland.
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While my knowledge is limited, Kurdish nationalism seems to have a leftist character, making it inclusive rather than exclusive – a sovereign movement more than a nationalistic one.
Finally, while I hold immense disdain for the current Turkish Islamist ultra-nationalist government, this feeling doesn’t extend to the Turkish people. Those who support Erdogan or deny the Armenian Genocide are despicable, but many secular, civilized Turks oppose and resist their tyrannical government. Even today, groups like hard-line far-left groups (which seem to embody a 1970s spirit) operate within Turkey.
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