The PKK is committing suicide


The PKK suddenly set the world on fire. But what happened? What is the design of the organization? Does Qandil carry out these attacks independently? And, perhaps most importantly, where does Öcalan stand in this equation? Why has the PKK started to kill members of the Turkish security forces, not in combat but rather in their most vulnerable moments? When asleep, waiting in traffic, assisting people in their daily affairs or talking on the phone. These are despicable acts that no one can excuse. But to what purpose is the organization carrying out such attacks?From Diyarbakır to Istanbul and Ankara, I have spoken with various individuals who have been living in this environment for years, or have dedicated their lives to ease this ever-lasting conflict but never let their emotions to cloud their reason. Among them, there were Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) members and people who know Öcalan quite well. I have revised the statements that have been made and gathered them before and after the June 7 elections and together they present one clear picture: The fully-fledged war that the PKK is currently waging against the Turkish state can be regarded as its last bid for survival, because the success of the reconciliation process and ultimate disarmament will annul Qandil's long-standing position. Hence, Qandil wants to maintain its position and therefore, is making a last move to the best of its ability. However, the only one who can defy Qandil is Öcalan. In this respect, the ongoing violence led by Qandil aims to neutralize Öcalan's influence. The June 7 victory was won by İmralı's isolation. The Turkish state continues its talks with Öcalan, but Öcalan thinks it is too soon for him to become involved. He does not want to be seen as ineffective because of any hasty attempt.When it comes to Qandil, its current position is not very familiar because for the first time, the Turkish state enjoys a legitimate position. For the first time, the Turkish state is offering to negotiate in the absence of armed conflict. In the past, there was a state preventing pro-Kurdish parties taking part in civil politics, killing people just because of their ethnic orientation. Back then, the organization used to easily justify its fight. But there is no such state now. Therefore, the organization tries to justify its fight with absurd pretexts like the construction of roads and barrages. There is even now a Kurdish party that supports an independent Kurdistan and that party had 13 percent support in the election by commending the PKK and Öcalan. That is why the PKK cannot justify its violence on any platform. After the Suruç attack, Turkey actively started a fight against ISIS and opened its İncirlik base for the use of the U.S. This also invalidates the "Turkey supports ISIS" thesis. That is why the PKK launches violent attacks just to provoke the Turkish state. It tries to provoke the Turkish state with the most treacherous and despicable attacks. It tries to re-invent the chaotic atmosphere of the 1990's. This particular design has to be seen by the politicians. So far the Turkish state has retaliated, but let's not forget that the PKK will try to play the victim with unrealistic agitations.Of course, the HDP's position is also quite problematic. But to point fingers at the HDP as this violence's chief actor and reiterating the party's closure, or lifting its members immunity will ultimately provide the PKK with the motive it wants so much to sustain this fight.