Saleh Muslim: PYD is not a dogmatic party but a dynamic one

On the anniversary of the founding of the Democratic Union Party (PYD), the co-chair of the PYD, Saleh Muslim, stated to ANHA's agency about the circumstances surrounding the establishment of the party 21 years ago, the obstacles and difficulties they faced, the role the party played in the Qamishlo uprising in 2004, the Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue, and their determination to hold their tenth conference. 

 Regarding the circumstances under which the Democratic Union Party was founded, Saleh Muslim said: "The establishment of our party is similar to events that have occurred in history; it was founded under objective conditions, as the stage required the existence of a vanguard party to lead the people in Rojava and the region."

Saleh Muslim explained that there was a structure for struggle in the 1990s, which required strengthening its organization further. Any people with a cause who demand their rights need political organization. Based on this, there were previous attempts before the establishment of the party to create a movement that represents Rojava.

Muslim stated: "We took steps that did not succeed, so we made a decision with intellectuals and social figures in September 2003, and we held the first conference which resulted in the establishment of the Democratic Union Party."

Muslim explained that the goal of establishing the party was to create an organization that would be pioneering in work and struggle, to represent the rights of the people in Rojava. He stated, "Our struggle has been ongoing for 21 years based on training and organizing the people."

"We were able to protect the line we chose."

Regarding the pivotal role played by the Democratic Union Party in the Qamishlo uprising of 2004, Muslim noted: "The Qamishlo uprising was a test for us and for our people." The establishment of our party has not exceeded a few months, yet we have managed to organize our people. "We suffered a lot, as we were subjected to a violent attack by the regime and the enemies of the Kurdish people, in addition to some Kurdish political parties that were plagued by fear, which made us a target for them."

Saleh Muslim affirmed: "We have made many sacrifices, with martyrs during the uprising, our colleagues thrown into prisons, and thousands of our people tortured in detention centers, but we succeeded in that test." "Yes, we suffered and we were exhausted, but we did not give up and we triumphed. Since then, we have not been immune to the attacks that have not ceased until now, whether from the regime or the external assaults targeting us, and we have managed to protect the path we chose."

Muslim explained their ability to achieve numerous accomplishments and to organize the ranks of the people with high spirits. He said, "Regardless of what our party has done, we do not forget the efforts of the people of Rojava and what they have done and sacrificed alongside our party, and here we extend our gratitude to them."

Regarding the role of the Democratic Union Party in unifying the Kurdish political movement, Saleh Muslim said: "One of the fundamentals of our work is to bring together Kurdish forces at the level of Rojava and Kurdistan, so that we can together reach a common formula. This is what we emphasized during the Qamishlo uprising as well; we were pioneers in this matter and met with Kurdish political parties, wanting to raise our voice and unify our message in front of the regime, despite some attempts to hinder our efforts."

Saleh Muslim confirmed: "We have not cut off dialogue with any party; rather, we always strive to unite the Kurdish political parties. After the chaos that began in the Syrian arena in 2011, we played a pivotal and leading role in the Erbil and Duhok talks and other discussions. We have always been a part of them because we seek to bring together the political movement."

Salem Muslim added: "Currently, there are some organizations and political parties that lack free will, as they are plagued by fear and lack a revolutionary spirit." Muslim noted that the issue of national unity has not reached the desired level, but "if there is any effort to organize the Kurdish ranks at the level of Kurdistan or Rojava Kurdistan, we always strive to be the pioneers in that."

Saleh Muslim affirmed that the Democratic Union Party enjoys a struggle on both internal and external levels, and he clarified: "Everyone has their own capital; for a merchant, it is money, and for a politician, it is their people. In this regard, we are wealthy and are being listened to. Anyone who takes the Kurdish issue in Rojava Kurdistan into account cannot overlook the Democratic Union Party, as it is a vanguard party in organizing the people."

Saleh Muslim pointed out that the people believe in the Democratic Union Party, saying: "Our people have faith in us; we have been able to train them, open up their horizons, and change their mindset. All of this is capital for us; we are rich, and our people are with us and support us. We were pioneers in the context of Rojava and North and East Syria. We established a system, and when we established it, we did not do it for ourselves but for the entire people. We were pioneers in building autonomous administration and played a significant role in establishing institutions, and these institutions do not belong to us but to our people."

Muslim pointed out that some want to fish in troubled waters, and he clarified: "They want to show that the autonomous administration belongs to the Democratic Union Party; yes, we were pioneers in its establishment, but now there is the Syrian Democratic Council, political parties, and the autonomous administration. These are the ones who contributed to building its institutions and bodies, and the Autonomous Administration is no longer limited to our name. Yes, we have a role in the Autonomous Administration, and that is an honor for us."

The Democratic Union Party intends to hold its tenth conference tomorrow. Regarding the changes that will occur within the party, Saleh Muslim stated: "The conference is held every two years. We will review the decisions we have made previously and evaluate the mistakes, gaps, and shortcomings, as well as how to address them. We critique and offer self-criticism."

Muslim pointed to the possibility of reducing the members of the party's general council at the conference, changing the co-chairmanship of the party, and reconsidering the political program and internal regulations of the party. He stated, "We are not a dogmatic party; rather, we are a dynamic party that moves and renews itself according to the requirements and developments taking place, establishing new policies in light of the third world war, and reevaluating who is an ally and who is an enemy. Therefore, the decisions that will emerge from the conference will not only be significant for the party but will also be important for the region of Rojava, Kurdistan."

Muslim noted: "We hope to be pioneers for all of northern and eastern Syria, and we expect an increase in the number of representatives from all regions at this year's conference, as there are representatives from the party in Raqqa, Tabqa, Deir ez-Zor, and Manbij. We hope to come out with decisions that serve our people."

The co-chair of the Democratic Union Party, Saleh Muslim, affirmed that the current phase requires organizing the people according to the concept of revolutionary people's war, amidst what the Middle East is experiencing as a third world war.

T/ Satt.

ANHA