The Birth of Kurdish National Unity and a New Resistance

 A New Chapter for an Independent, Unified, and Free Kurdistan

The Dissolution of the PKK and a Historical Turning Point

In 2027, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) decided to end its half-century-long armed struggle. The leadership announced the organization's dissolution at an international press conference. For the Kurdish people in Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria, this declaration marked the end of an era and the beginning of an uncertain future.

However, Kurdish nationalism was rooted in an idea and the historical consciousness of a people. The PKK's disarmament did not signify the end of this idea. On the contrary, national consciousness began to reshape itself more clearly and in a more organized manner.

The Anger of the New Generation: United Kurdistan National Movement (UKNM)

In the vacuum following the PKK, a young, educated, and radical cadre emerged from all four parts of Kurdistan (Bakur, Başûr, Rojhilat, Rojava), including the diaspora. This new structure, named the "United Kurdistan National Movement (UKNM)," adopted a confederal, secular, and nationalist approach, distancing itself from centralized ideology.

UKNM declared a "People's Armed Resistance," arguing that peaceful means could not achieve their goals. Their objective was to weaken central authorities through simultaneous armed actions in Kurdish regions, draw international attention, and ultimately establish an independent Kurdish state.

A New Doctrine in Armed Struggle

The armed wing of the new movement, the Kurdistan National Resistance Forces (KNRF), adopted hybrid warfare methods instead of classical guerrilla tactics:

• Coordinated attacks in urban centers,

• Sabotage of energy infrastructure,

• Cyber warfare and propaganda activities,

• Financial and logistical support from the international Kurdish diaspora.

The initial actions were simultaneously carried out in Diyarbakır, Mahabad, Qamishli, and Erbil against enemies of the Kurds. In the operation called "4 Cities in 4 Hours," security units of occupying forces in Kurdistan were targeted, with a primary principle of avoiding harm to civilians. The movement maintained a disciplined yet decentralized cellular structure.

A New Unity in Kurdish Nationalism

This new wave aimed to build a pan-Kurdish national unity project, differing from the leftist ideological Kurdish movements of the 20th century. It sought to end the long-standing ideological and organizational divisions among the HDP line in Turkey, the KDP and PUK in Iraq, PJAK in Iran, and PYD in Syria.

With the slogan "One flag, four parts, one nation," UKNM aimed to become an umbrella movement that did not exclude ideological diversity but united on Kurdish identity and the idea of independence.

International Reactions and Regional Transformation

The USA, EU, and Russia responded cautiously to this new armed movement. While some countries supported the Kurdish struggle for rights, they refrained from openly endorsing armed actions.

Regional countries perceived these developments as a "national security threat" and initiated counter-operations. Martial law was declared in southeastern Turkey, while Iran and Syria launched joint border operations.

Kurds at the Threshold of History

The new Kurdish nationalism presents a more strategic, unified, and international profile, drawing from past experiences. How this movement evolves will profoundly affect not only the Kurdish people but also the futures of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria.

This new balance between armed struggle and political objectives could rewrite the destiny of a people. It may herald a new catastrophe or lead a revolution that changes the borders of the modern Middle East.

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Source: Cahit Çağabey, "Kurdish National Unity and the Birth of the New Resistance", January 8, 2016.

https://cahit-cagabey.blogspot.com/2016/01/kizil-kurdistan-rojava.html