Iraqi Kurds Support Erdogan

Erdogan has talked about reconciliation with the Kurds and has made attempts to reach complete agreement with them. But recently, the protests against the approaches of Erdogan’s government have increased and there has even been some talk about his stepping down from power. Will the shaky position of Erdogan’s status impact the issue of reconciliation with the Kurds?

With regard to the issue of reconciliation between Turkey and the Kurds, I must say that the majority of people in Turkey agree with this matter and perhaps a few among the opposition have stated their opposition. Therefore, it does not seem that those people who oppose the present Erdogan government could play a role in the issue of the Kurds or even impact Erdogan’s policies.

The biggest concern is that in the case of Erdogan’s resignation, the issue of the Kurds would be forgotten and reconciliation would be postponed.

Under conditions when the head of a government seeks peace and security, it will certainly have positive effects on all of the domestic issues of the country. But sometimes the opposition intends to take advantage of the situation and, besides the problems which exist in the country, uses another issue to use against the head of the government. Of course it must be noted that there are few opponents. If Erdogan retreats from his position of reconciliation and peace with the Kurds and does not take positive steps in this regard, it will certainly impact this trend. But as long as Erdogan can establish good relations with the Islamists of his country and since many of the Kurds in Turkey are Muslims, Erdogan will win over his opponents. In other words, it must be said that Erdogan has many supporters and as long as he is able to resist against his opposition, no damage will be done to his government. But if he retreats from his position and becomes indifferent towards the issue of peace with the Kurds, his supporters will also join his opponents and then remaining in power would be difficult.

The Kurds of Erbil have expressed their support for Erdogan. To what extent, in your opinion, is this support to Erdogan’s benefit and could help his success?

Today, anyone in the world who thinks about the Kurds and seeks their peace and security will certainly be supported by them. These supports are mainly spiritual and will bring the Kurds of Turkey and Iraq closer to each other. The two countries also have good economic and social relations and this trend will lead the Turks and the Turkish companies to be welcomed in Iraq.

How are relations between the Kurds in Turkey and Iraq at the present time?

There are good relations between the Kurds of the two countries within the framework of the laws and relations of Turkey and Iraq.

To what extent can the Kurds be influential in Turkey’s policies?

The Kurds cannot intervene in the macro-issues of a country, or even impact them. There is only spiritual approval and support and they can only have a psychological effect. In Turkey, they will certainly support a government which attempts to solve their problems. At the present time, it must be said that the Kurds are in the waiting period, for the issue of peace and reconciliation has been proposed but no practical step has yet been taken. Therefore, we must wait for the measures of the government based on the agreements which were made between the government of Turkey and the Kurds. It seems that this trend that has begun will lead to positive results.

Considering the developments which have been seen in Turkey, can it be said that the issue of the Iraqi Kurds will also be affected by these developments?

The security of the regional and neighboring countries impacts each other. It means that if any of these countries is faced with problems and insecurity, it will have negative effects on the neighboring country and its people. It must also be mentioned that the Iraqi Kurds, considering their government, system and ideology, are different from the Turkish Kurds. The Kurds of the two countries are only related to each other spiritually. Since the present government of Turkey has proposed the issue of reconciliation with the Kurds, the Iraqi Kurds support it for they assume that it is their friend and not their enemy.

Considering the same support of the Kurds for Erdogan, if his government weakens and he is forced to resign, is it possible that the Iraqi Kurds might take their spiritual support into action?

What we saw in Erbil cannot be considered within the framework of this kind of support. The Kurds residing in Iraq’s Kurdistan are rather placed in a circle where the roles of other neighbors are also important. The Iraqi Kurds always seek unity and peace and not hostility. Therefore, the Iraqi Kurds are neither after supporting the Turkish Kurds nor the government of Turkey; they only seek friendship, unity, cooperation, and collaboration. The support of the government is considered as a positive step in solving the problems of the region and establishing security.