“Why Don’t We Unite?” – Call for Kurdish national umbrella

On January 6, 2026, in cooperation with several regional and international states, factions of the Syrian Interim Government, backed by the Turkish occupying state, attacked the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods of Aleppo. These attacks continued until January 29 in areas including Deir Hafer, Tabqa, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor in North and East Syria. Cities in Rojava such as Kobani, Hasakah, and Derik were also subjected to intense attacks.

The Kurdish people described these attacks as a “second international conspiracy” following the October 9 conspiracy. Kurds in all four parts of Kurdistan and abroad entered a state of high alert against the attacks and called on Kurdish political parties to unite. Calls for unity also emerged from Kurdish artistic, cultural, and literary circles.

In this context, Kurdish writer and University of Rojava professor Bashir Mala Nawaf spoke to our agency about the importance of Kurdish unity.

“We Must Place This Month-Long Process Under Review and Self-Criticism”

Bashir Mala Nawaf drew attention to the Lausanne and Sykes-Picot agreements, signed a century ago against the existence of the Kurdish people. He said: “The attacks and resistance that took place in Rojava over the past month are the result of a hundred years of history. They have produced both positive and negative outcomes. It is necessary, whether from a literary or political perspective, to place this process under research and self-criticism in order to protect the gains achieved through blood and hard work.”

He stated that the violations committed by mercenaries shocked the Kurdish conscience, adding: “Kurds have clearly understood that any people without political and social status will always remain vulnerable to such immoral objectives.”

“Intellectuals Must Stand with the Street”

Bashir Mala Nawaf recalled how the enemies of the Kurds unite for eradication and called on Kurdish parties to learn lessons from them, saying: “When the Kurdish issue appears on the stage, the states occupying Kurdistan unite despite their ongoing differences and hostilities. They attack like rabid dogs. Kurdish parties must look at their enemies and ask: Why do they unite over an unjust cause, and why don’t we unite for our legitimate rights? Why can’t we establish a national umbrella? For this reason, we intellectuals and academics have a moral duty to stand with the Kurdish street, so it can hold the parties accountable and bring them toward unity and Kurdish national unity. It has been proven that what brought recent changes and transformations was Kurdish unity. Without unity, we have no other means to impose our political and diplomatic recognition.”

He also stressed the importance of equality and coexistence among peoples, saying: “We are not ashamed of wanting peace among peoples. We have not held grudges against them, as they lived together for long years, even before Islam. Intellectuals from these peoples must also raise awareness among the poor who are exploited and prevent them from becoming fuel for such schemes.”

Highlighting the role of intellectuals in leading society, Bashir Mala Nawaf concluded: “Enlightened thinkers and intellectuals appeal to conscience and human emotions. We must call upon the conscience of our people and other peoples and say that our homeland is the cradle of humanity. On the basis of building sincere relations, we will be able to live together. The blessings of this homeland are sufficient for us all.”

ANHA