By Surkew Mohammed
The security forces affiliated with the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) closed down all offices of Tavgari Azadi, a party seen as affiliated with the Turkish Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) armed group, throughout the Kurdistan region. The government cites the lack of an official license as the pretext, while Tavgar leaders claim the move is somewhat political than legal.
Deputy prime minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Qubad Talabani (PUK) issued a decree earlier this week to close down all premises of unlicensed parties overnight.
Turkey has long considered Tavgar to be "an extension of PKK" and welcomed the decision to close their offices. While rejecting Turkey's claim, Tavgar applied for an official license three years ago, claiming to have all requested documents filed to relevant government institutions. However, it was not given a permit, although it obtained a license from Baghdad.
Turkey has accused PUK of supporting PKK on the highest level, especially when two Turkish intelligence operatives were abducted in Sulaimaniyah province by the PKK. The move had a huge backlash, with the closure of PUK office in Ankara and dismissal of its representative, and last but not least, a total flight ban between Turkey and Sulaimaniyah.
Talabani's decision to close Tavgar offices might normalise the relations between PUK and Turkey. On 29 November, Turkish General-Consul Hakan Karacay said concerning his country and PUK, "This terrorism issue has been resolved, which works as positive support to our mutual relations."
24 difficult hours for Tavgar
Tavgari Azadi (Freedom Current) was founded four years ago, with offices inside Sulaimaniyah city and the province's districts. It faced a difficult situation this week, with 24 hours set as a deadline to close down its offices.
Tavgar did not close down its offices until they were closed down forcibly PUK's Asayish (security). Some members of the party were also detained for a short while.
The co-chairman of Tavgar, Muhammad Abdulla confirmed to Peregraf, "All of our headquarters in the KRG-controlled areas are closed." However, he said, since they have an official permit from Baghdad, "We'll try to officialise our offices here through Baghdad's permit."
He denied the "legal" pretext for the closure, "Indeed the issue is not legal but political." He cited their "political stand" as the reason behind the closure and said the closure of their offices "is illegal, as we have taken every step to have our official permit".
He asked the authorities, "They have halted the process, and they do not say why? They do not say we won't give you, and they do not say we will give you the permit."
Kurdish electoral body did not allow Tavgar to take part in the parliamentary election of 30 September, but Tavgar won one seat through an alliance with the newly-established New Generation in the Iraqi parliamentary election of 12 May. Its officials cite "Turkish pressure" as the direct reason behind the closure of their offices.
Turkey is pleased
Turkey considers Tavgar "a terrorist" group, due to alleged affiliation with the PKK. Karacay spoke to the press in Erbil on 29 November, "We see PUK's move as a step towards a good path." However, he said concerning the reason, "We should not forget that this is a terrorist organisation, Tavgari Azadi and other groups of such, are an extension fo a terrorist organisation."
Tavgar also had an office in Erbil, but closed down a year ago by the security forces, with giving any reason.
The co-chairman of Tavgar rejects Karacay's claims, "We reject Turkish claims in entirety," he followed, "A terrorist force should have an accusation against it, an armed force or people with masks." Abdulla said they merely do "civil strife" and Tavgar's members have not been arrested whatsoever, "Turkey is uncomfortable with the fact that Tavgar has a national stand against Turkish occupation."
According to Abdulla, they have been "the most active" party against Turkish airstrikes and border crossing operations into the Kurdistan region where civilians were targeted.
Security forces deployed outside Tavgar offices in different areas. Photo: Roj News
The reason they are accused of being affiliated with PKK, Abdulla said, is that they benefit from the thought and philosophy of Abdulla Ocalan, the imprisoned PKK leader, "Our relation with PKK, or any other Kurdish party, has certain measures," he added, "We approach those which have a national and democratic stand."
However, he said, they enjoy a comfortable relation with all Kurdish parties in the Middle East. Tavgar, according to its co-chairman, takes diplomatic measures to reopen its offices in the Kurdistan region.
Turkish pressure after the arrest of two operatives
Arrest two Turkish agents early August 2017 enraged Turkey. At first, Turkey attempted to free its agents through pressuring Kurdish parties in the Kurdistan region. When it failed, Turkey started a number of sanctions against PUK, a ruling party where the two agents were taken.
Turkish foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, publicly accused PUK and Gorran of supporting PKK. However, both parties rejected the accusation. Both ran the province of Sulaimaniyah.
Peregraf, in its earlier investigation, showed that the two agents had direct communication with the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The agents were in Sulaimaniyah to plan a special operation targeting the commander of PKK, Cemil Bayik through using helicopters. However, the plan failed when PKK could abduct them in Dukan, a city 80km west of Sulaimaniyah. Their abduction was kept secret by PKK for 20 days. It only broke out after Turkey dismissed PUK's representative in Ankara, Bahroz Gallalli. He was serving in his office for 17 years and arrived in Sulaimaniyah on 24 August 2017.
Arhan Pekcettin and Aydin Gunel were two Turkish agents, working 20 yeas in the Kurdistan region, in different positions. Concerning their situation after the abduction, the spokesman of Kurdistan Communities Union, an umbrella group which includes PKK, Serhat Varto said on 8 September, "Their health is good." Varto is the only person who is allowed to talk to the media.
Arhan Pekcettin and Aydin Gunel, the two Turkish agents working for 20 years in the Kurdistan region in different ranks.
Varto said Turkey has exterted efforts, indirectly, to free its operatives. However, they have rejected, as they have no plan to do so.
It is too early to claim that normalisation would return between PUK and Turkey after the closure of Tavgar, but Karacay's remarks are a sign in that direction.