Erdogan’s War Against Democracy in Turkey: Interview with Mehmet Yuksel of HDP
by Jerry Gordon (March 2015)
enabling the US-led coalition to fly more frequent and shorter missions in support of Syrian PYD-YPG forces fighting ISIS. However, instead of fighting ISIS, Erdogan sent his air force to bomb PKK bases in northern Iraq.
Meanwhile, the AKP functioned as a minority caretaker government until Erdogan subsequently called for a snap election on November 1st. Exacerbating the situation, Russia entered the Syrian civil war on September 24, 2015 supporting the Assad regime bombing Turkmen and other opposition backed by Erdogan. On October 24th, a Turkish F-16 shot down a Russian Sukhoi 24 bomber resulting in a complete break off in diplomatic relations between the two countries and the loss of billions of dollars in gas and agricultural trade for Turkey.
Across the border in Syria, PYD-YPG Kurdish forces were making significant headway with US air strikes against ISIS in northern Syria ironically threatening to block Turkish and Saudi trained opposition forces. Erdogan, who had called for establishment of a buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border, drew red lines threatening actions should the PYD-YPG led Syrian Democratic Forces succeed in crossing the Euphrates River after they seized a strategic dam on the east bank. In Mid February 2016, PYD-YPG forces crossed the Euphrates and took the strategic Menagh air base with Russian air support not far from the Turkish border. When US special envoy Bret McGurk met with PYD-YPG leaders in Syria that led Foreign Policy Magazine to pose the question whether the Kurds were the power brokers in the Syrian conflict between the Russians and Americans.
In retaliation, Turkish military crossed the Syrian border and entered the Afrin Kurdish enclave establishing a foothold for creation of a possible barrier to prevent further Kurdish PYD-PYG advances. The PYD-YPG had wrested control of Rojava, the Kurdish northeast of Syria, which became a virtual autonomous self-governing region. Because the YPG is an affiliate of the Kurdish Workers’ party (PKK) Erdogan had accused it of using arms provided by the US-led coalition in the War against ISIS against Turkish security forces. The PKK had been designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the EU and the US, despite the latter relying on the YPG in Syria as the effective ground force fighting ISIS.
Erdogan’s AKP achieved a comeback victory at the polls on November 1, 2015 winning almost 50 percent of the vote, 325 out of 550 seats in parliament and reclaiming control, but not a super majority, thwarting his plans for a national referendum. HDP’s slate following the November 1, 2015 election fell to 59 seats or 10 percent in the Ankara parliament. There were accusations that the AKP’s assertion of majority control had been achieved through fraudulent balloting. Following the November 1, 2015 election results, HDP co-leader Demirtas was cited in Time Magazine, saying:
He went on to say:
“I am in charge of administering one of the most difficult parties in the world,” [he admitted]. But, he continues, “We have our principles. We are against armed struggle and against violence. We are also against the state’s violations. We defend universal human rights.”
As a teenager, Demirtas opted not to join the PKK as his brother did. Instead he became a lawyer and ultimately co-head of the HDP. He doesn’t believe that violence will achieve the ultimate end of a stable, democratic Turkey tolerant of minorities and others. Demirtas holds these beliefs despite the violent actions by Erdogan against Kurds in both Turkey and Syria.
Against this background, we had the opportunity to interview the Washington, DC representative of the HDP, Mehmet Yuksel on the February 21, 2016 Lisa Benson Show. Mr. Yuksel, born in Turkey, grew up in Denmark where he obtained a degree in conflict resolution. He is a talented linguist speaking over six languages. What follows is a subsequent interview following the broadcast.
Jerry Gordon: Mehmet Yuksel, thank you for consenting to this interview.
Mehmet Yuksel: Thank you for inviting me
Gordon: How large is the Kurdish population in Turkey and where is the largest concentration located?
Gordon: What is the significance of the Kurdish-led Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) delegation in Turkey’s Ankara Parliament?
Yuksel: Our goal in the Ankara Parliament is to start the decentralization of power in Turkey so that the minorities can be represented and will be allowed to represent themselves. The HDP represents 21 minorities including Kurds, Armenians, Yazidis, Assyrians and Turks. They will have a strong participation and a strong democracy.
Gordon: What is the history of Kurdish sectarian resistance in Turkey and how does the HDP differ in objectives from the PKK (Kurdish Workers Party), a designated terrorist group by Turkey, the EU and the US?
Since then we have tried to build a peaceful political space in Turkey, but paid a high price for it. For us a non-violent solution is the most important goal to achieve Kurdish objectives. Unfortunately weapons speak louder than non-violence and make our work much harder. However, we will push forward because only a peaceful solution works for everyone.
Gordon: There have been several dramatic bombings with hundreds of casualties in Ankara, Istanbul, Suruc and Diyarbakir in the Kurdish southeast of Turkey. Who are the groups behind them?
Yuksel: First of all we have to see who has benefited from these bombings. They happened during the elections and were meant to intimidate people supporting the HDP. The attacks helped the AKP during elections to marginalize the HDP. The bombings were perpetrated by members of ISIL. This means that ISIL made the bombings to strengthen the AKP inside Turkey. However, they never claimed responsibility for these attacks.
Gordon: Erdogan has accused the Syrian Kurdish PYD-YPG forces of providing US arms to PKK forces in Turkey. What evidence, if any, is there to support his allegations?
Yuksel: There is no evidence of it. Erdogan is trying to show that PYD’s are Kurds and PKK are Kurds as well. Being Kurdish is enough evidence for Erdogan, to claim that they have given weapons. I don’t think the PKK need weapons from the PYD. PKK has enough of their own weapons.
Gordon: With Turkish military shelling of Syrian Kurdish PYD/YPG units and the provocative crossing of the Syrian frontier into the Kurdish enclave of Afrin, could that trigger intervention by the Russians despite NATO and US complaints lodged with Erdogan?
Gordon: How extensive is the corruption in the AKP government and the family of President Erdogan?
Yuksel: His family has become very wealthy. His son in law is energy minister, and is going to control all of the bilateral agreements between Turkey and other countries in energy matters. Everyone knows that Erdogan is doing energy business benefitting his family with Iraqi Kurdistan (KRG).
Gordon: Foreign Policy Magazine had an article promoting the view that the Kurds have become the new power broker in Syria and that Erdogan’s war against them could trigger a civil war inside Turkey. What is the view of the HDP about Erdogan’s actions?
Gordon: What is the message that the Kurdish community in Turkey wants to convey to Americans and the World?
Gordon: Mehmet Yuksel thank you for expressing the views of the HDP.
Yuksel: My pleasure.
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