KNK affirms national unity's importance for protecting Kurds' gains

The General Assembly of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) for the 2025–2026 session continued its work in the Dutch city of Venlo by holding its second meeting.

The session continued with speeches by Heval Abo Bakr; Governor of Sulaymaniyah, Merwan Saleh; representative of the Change Movement, representative of the Workers Movement, representative of Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), and Sultan Oghr; representative of Kurdish women in Europe. Representatives from various institutions and invited guests also delivered their remarks. Additionally, some members of the Kurdistan National Congress who were unable to attend due to visa issues participated online.

After that, the conference's work report for the period 2025–2027 and the recommendations report; notifications, criticisms, and proposals presented to the delegates.

Following the discussion of the report, the progress of the conference over its 27-year history was assessed, and amendments to the rules of procedures as well as the regulatory agenda were reviewed.

The main points and proposed solutions outlined in the report, which were adopted by the General Assembly, are as follows:

The balance of global powers and the Kurdish reality

The report described the situation in the Middle East as a "third world war," emphasizing that the struggle for hegemony between the Western and Eastern blocs is reshaping the region. It stressed that securing a permanent political status for the Kurds within this framework requires adopting a pragmatic and realistic foreign policy approach.

The report emphasized that international relations are built on interests and power, and that the Kurdish division has weakened the Kurds' position. Within the international system, no strategic or permanent alliances are formed with divided or weak parties; everyone seeks to engage with unified, strong powers that know their own objectives. For the Kurds to participate in decision-making as a geopolitical and geostrategic actor, this can only be achieved through democratic national unity.

The report also emphasized that Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria now treat the Kurdish issue as a matter of state policy rather than government policy, regardless of the ruling party or regime. It urged the Kurdish political movement to develop its strategy in light of this reality.

The report also emphasized the necessity for Kurdish movements to develop their methods and tools of struggle in accordance with the circumstances of "hybrid wars" in the twenty-first century.

The economic siege strategy

The report deemed the "Development Road" project between Turkey and Iraq as one of the most serious strategic threats to Kurdish gains. It further explained that Turkey, in coordination with the Interim Government in Syria, has begun developing an alternative trade corridor extending from the Ovakoy crossing through Rabia and Tel Afar to Baghdad.

The report pointed out that this project poses two major risks:

Military risk: The convert of Khansur and Shengal areas into permanent military operation zones under the pretext of protecting the road.

Economic risk: If the corridor is operated at full capacity, the economic significance of al-Khabur border crossing; one of the most vital trade hubs in Southern Kurdistan, will decline, potentially having a negative impact on the region's economy.

In Roj Ava: The pressures from Damascus and the political risks

The report clarified that the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is undergoing a critical phase, with a significant portion of the region's economic resources remaining under Damascus' control in exchange for efforts to safeguard military and security gains.

It considered that closer ties with Damascus could yield short-term benefits, but entail long-term risks such as economic, military, and civilian dependence. It also noted that the Syrian regime has allocated only four parliamentary seats to Kurds, a move that reflects the nature of its approach to the Kurdish issue.

In South Kurdistan: the threat of division and isolation

The report also noted that South Kurdistan, despite enjoying a constitutional status, is undergoing one of its most challenging political phases, and criticized the delayed formation of the government despite the long interval since the elections.

It pointed out that the disagreements between the Kurdistan Democratic Party and the Kurdistan National Union negatively impact the political and economic stability, and further exacerbate the region's vulnerability to external interventions.

It also warned that the failure to unify the Peshmerga forces under a common command could jeopardize international support, and that any potential rapprochement between the United States and Iran might create new geopolitical challenges for South Kurdistan.

In East Kurdistan: The weakness of the regime and the escalation of social movement

The report confirmed that Iran has suffered significant military and economic losses in recent times, and that the Iranian regime no longer possesses the same level of power as it once did.

It also noted that Iranian society is under immense economic, social, and psychological pressure, with demands for change, particularly among the youth, continuously growing. It predicted that popular protests would intensify following any ceasefire or peace agreement in the region.

Promoting dialogue in Turkey

The report also addressed the ongoing discussions in Turkey regarding dialogues and communications conducted via leader Abdullah Ocalan, deeming that they unequivocally demonstrate the impossibility of denying the Kurdish cause and the Kurdish political reality.

It noted that there are serious questions among the Kurdish public opinion regarding the nature of this process, whether it represents a democratic solution or merely part of another strategic agenda, and urged Kurdish political forces to develop a more effective political discourse and adopt a unified stance.

Evaluation of the Kurdistan National Congress' performance

The report reviewed the activities of the Kurdistan National Congress, noting the establishment of an official representative office for the Congress in Washington and identifying this as one of its most significant diplomatic achievements.

It also highlighted the establishment of diplomatic relations with several countries; France, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia, as well as ongoing efforts within European institutions in terms of leader Abdullah Ocalan's situation and implement the "right to hope."

On the other hand, the report criticized several committees, particularly the Committee of Language, Culture and Education, stating that they had failed to achieve the desired objectives in protecting the Kurdish language, improving educational policies, and enhancing cultural initiatives.

Solution proposals

The report outlined a series of measures to address the siege policies and pressures imposed on the Kurds, among which the most prominent are:

Any potential dialogue process in Turkey must be based on constitutional and legal guarantees.

Strengthening the joint strategic coordination among Kurdish political forces.

Complete the formation of the government in South Kurdistan and unify the Peshmerga forces within a unified national framework.

Reinforcing the political, economic, and social relations between Rojava and South Kurdistan.

Expanding efforts in the fields of language, culture, and arts, while strengthening societal resistance against assimilation policies.

In the conclusion of the report, it was emphasized that the Kurdish people today possess greater political expertise than ever before; however, ongoing divisions undermine this strength. Furthermore, transforming this expertise into lasting benefits requires achieving national unity, developing a professional diplomatic approach, reinforcing organization, and adopting a shared strategic vision.

At the conclusion of the session, delegates and representatives from various institutions presented their views on policies for the upcoming phase, the Congress' progress, and its priorities.