Leader Ocalan: Let new year be year of peace, not war

The People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM) published the annual message of Leader Abdullah Ocalan. The message includes key positions on the peace process, the democratic society, and the March 10 agreement signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syria’s transitional government.

The text of Leader Ocalan’s message is as follows:

“As we enter a new year, we must once again remember that imperialist and racist assaults over the past century have intertwined and plunged the Middle East into harsh wars and conflicts. These wars paved the way to destruction and social collapse. The sectarianism and ethnic nationalism seen across the region today all draw their roots from this recent and painful history. Unfortunately, the dominant system’s strategy of ‘divide, provoke, and rule’ continues in various forms.

For this very reason, the perspective of peace and democratic society that we have developed is not merely an option, but a historical necessity before us. If this perspective is understood and assessed correctly, it can prevent the outbreak of wars and conflicts. It is an antidote capable of laying the foundations for a shared, peaceful, and free life. Our primary responsibility in the coming period is to prevent the emergence of a new potential conflict in the near future and to avoid irreversible consequences.

The deepening crises and political conflicts in the Middle East are the inevitable result of the stagnation of an authoritarian, statist civilization mentality that has persisted for thousands of years.

Resolving the Kurdish issue, which lies at the heart of these crises, is only possible through social peace and democratic consensus. Addressing this issue on a democratic basis that respects the will of peoples, rather than through conflict, war, or military and security methods, is of vital importance.

We must not forget: unless women are liberated, society cannot be liberated, and this is impossible. Unless the problem of the dominant, patriarchal mentality is resolved, the culture of war will not end and peace will not endure. For this reason, I see women’s freedom as the foundation of a democratic society and an indispensable principle.

In Syria, a chaotic situation has also emerged. It is very clear that there is an urgent need for a democratic solution. The mentality of a system that for many years relied on centralism, repression, and the denial of identities can no longer continue. This has strengthened demands for equality and freedom among Kurds, Arabs, Alawites, and all peoples. The March 10 agreement was signed between the Syrian Democratic Forces and the administration in Damascus. The demands set out within the framework of this agreement aim to establish a democratic political model in which all peoples, or nations, govern themselves. This approach, through negotiations with the central administration, can pave the way for democratic integration. Implementing the March 10 agreement will open the path for this process and advance it simultaneously.

It is very important for Turkey to play a constructive role that facilitates this process and opens the door to dialogue. This is of great significance for regional peace and for strengthening internal peace.

The modern history of the Middle East is largely a history of ‘negative revolutions’: war, tyranny, denial, and destruction. In contrast, what we propose is a ‘positive revolution’, the rebuilding of society through democratic, peaceful, and ethical methods. The peace we steadfastly defend is not an end result, it must be a new beginning. The struggle for rights, law, and the consolidation of democracy, waged within the framework of peace, will eliminate hatred, hostility, and anger, and open the door to a new life for all.

With this awareness, I hope that the new year will not be a year of war, destruction, and division, but a year that brings the will of peoples to build a shared future, peace, and democratic consensus.

My wish is that the new year opens the way for peace, freedom, and a democratic future in Turkey, the Middle East, and the world. I congratulate all friends, foremost the struggling peoples, on the new year.

I hope the new year brings peace and a dignified life to our people as a whole. I send them my love and greetings.

This new era will be strengthened by women’s freedom, and peoples will unite in peace through democratic transformation.

30 December 2025

Abdullah Ocalan

Imrali”

A-H

ANHA