PUK recalls twenty-eighth anniversary of August 31

 The Political Bureau of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) published a message on the occasion of the 28th anniversary of the August 31 betrayal where it stressed that the PUK restates its call for a united, accountable, and democratic endeavour.

The PUK Political Bureau's full message said: 

"Twenty-eight years passed since the August 31st betrayal, the most significant disaster in the political history of our people. This event involved the official invitation of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to the fascist Ba'ath army to invade Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan. By refraining from imposing treason and non-national supremacy, opting for a Kurdish call and peaceful concern would have effectively resolved the internal conflict, and a significant amount of bloodshed and suffering could have been spared. Additionally, the international reputation of our experience, which was already established at the outset, could have been safeguarded.

The consequences of this betrayal were not limited to the harm inflicted against the PUK and the Peshmerga forces, the loss of life, injuries, and displacement of numerous PUK and Kurdistan fighters, the killing and expulsion of Iraqi opposition forces opposing Saddam's dictatorial rule, but also inflicted a profound wound on the Kurdish nation that has persisted for twenty-eight years, leaving lasting political, social, economic, and cultural imprints on our region. For an extended period, it damaged the reputation and authentic and independence-oriented identity of being a Kurd in the global community. Regrettably, the frequent implementation of unfavourable policies by the KDP consistently rekindles the memories of the summer of betrayal and the trauma experienced in the occupied city on the dreadful day of August 31st.

 Over the past 28 years, the resilient and patient Kurdish nation and the PUK have chosen to leave this unfortunate day of Kurdistan in history of Kurdistan for the future of our country and enhance opportunities for unity and tolerance. They have endured the denial of many legitimate rights for the sake of the martyrs and the years of struggle for Kurds. We have, instead, promoted peace and initiated a new chapter of sustaining and developing our experience through peaceful politics and dialogue, ultimately achieving our goals despite the profound wounds of betrayal. Regrettably, the KDP, rather than examining their errors and facilitating the resolution of historical grievances, exacerbate the suffering of the nation and the country whenever internally disputed situations arise. Drawing upon the unjust equilibrium of power and dominance acquired during the period after August 31, they want to shift the blame of treachery and deceit onto others. This party has adopted a prevailing discourse of political crisis and the disgraceful practice of attributing blame to others for purported treason, national grievances, manipulation of history, and denial of the sovereignty of all those who participated in the extensive struggle of the Kurdistan People's Liberation Movement. This vile phenomena has hindered a candid evaluation of events and fails to address any future concerns that seek to spare the dark history of betrayal to a promising future for our people.

On this sad, bitter, and sorrowful day and reflecting on its previous sacrifices for freedom, social peace, and the future of Kurdish generations, the PUK reaffirms its call for a united, responsible, and democratic effort to revive the new Kurdish struggle, rectify the governance, restore the balance of power in Kurdistan, and eradicate all factors contributing to monopoly, discrimination, oppression, and more.  The betrayal of August, particularly in the backdrop of a backward immoral culture that still acknowledges this political misdeed as a supposed national accomplishment and shamelessly defends it, has deprived many aspects of our experience of its national, democratic, and just content.

 On the occasion of the twenty-eighth anniversary of the August wound,

 Allow us to halt this national horror by means of unwavering civic and peaceful resistance, facilitated by transparent elections overseen by both Iraq and international entities to give solace to the souls of our martyrs, particularly those who opposed the occupation of the capital, Hawlêr.

a.k

ANHA