KNK Report: The greatest guarantee for Kurds is national unity and institutionalization

The 2025–2026 General Assembly Meeting of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK), held in Venlo, the Netherlands, continued with its second day of sessions. During the meeting, where global power balances, geopolitical developments in the Middle East, and the future of Kurdish politics were discussed, the institution’s activity and final report was presented to delegates for approval.

The report presented at the assembly included comprehensive assessments of the current achievements of Kurdish politics, new economic and military encirclement efforts by regional states, institutional weaknesses, and the importance of national unity. It also outlined the regional and international risks confronting Kurds and proposed common strategies to address them.

The meeting continued with speeches by Sulaymaniyah Governor Heval Ebubekir, GORAN representative Meran Saleh, a representative of the Tevgera Zahmetkeşan movement, a PJAK representative, and Sultan Öger speaking on behalf of Kurdish women in Europe. Institutional representatives and invited guests later shared their assessments. Some KNK members unable to attend due to visa issues participated online.

Later, the KNK’s activity report for the 2025–2027 period, along with a final report containing criticisms and recommendations, was presented to delegates. Following discussions, KNK’s 27-year historical process was evaluated, and views were exchanged on proposed amendments to the organization’s statute and program.

The report adopted by the General Assembly highlighted the following main issues and recommendations:

Global power balances and the Kurdish reality

The report described the current process unfolding in the Middle East as a “Third World War.” It argued that the struggle for hegemony between Western and Eastern blocs is shaping the region and stressed that Kurds must pursue a rational and pragmatic foreign diplomacy in order to secure a lasting political status within this equation.

Emphasizing that international relations are entirely driven by interests and power, the report described the vulnerability created by Kurdish fragmentation as follows: “In the international system, no one forms lasting and strategic alliances with actors that are internally fragmented and weak. Every power wants to see strong actors that are united and know what they want. The Kurdish people can only take their place at the table as a geopolitical and geostrategic actor through Democratic National Unity.”

The report also stressed that the Kurdish policies of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria function as state policies independent of whichever government is in power. It noted that changes in ruling parties or regimes do not alter this approach and argued that Kurdish politics must shape its strategy accordingly.

The report further highlighted the conditions of 21st-century “hybrid warfare,” stressing that Kurdish movements must restructure their methods and tools of struggle to adapt to the new era.

A strategy of economic strangulation

The report identified the “Development Road” project between Turkey and Iraq as one of the most significant strategic threats to Kurdish gains. It stated that Turkey, coordinating with the Syrian government, has effectively begun operating an alternative trade corridor running through Ovaköy, Rabia, and Tal Afar to Baghdad.

According to the report, this development creates two major risks:

Military risk: The permanent transformation of the Xanesor and Shengal regions into military operation zones under the pretext of road security.

Economic risk: If the corridor becomes fully operational, the weakening of the Xabur Border Crossing—one of Southern Kurdistan’s key economic gateways—could have serious consequences for the regional economy.

Rojava: Damascus’ grip and political risks

The report stated that the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria is undergoing a critical phase. It noted that an important share of the region’s economic resources has been left under the control of Damascus, while military and security gains are being preserved.

It warned that while relations with Damascus may buy time in the short term, they also carry the long-term risk of political and civil pressure through economic dependency. Damascus’ proposal to allocate only four parliamentary seats to Kurds was cited as evidence of this approach.

Division and the threat of isolation in South Kurdistan

The report stated that despite its constitutional status, Southern Kurdistan (Başûr) is going through one of the most fragile periods in its history. It criticized the failure to form a joint government despite a long period having passed since elections.

Disagreements between the KDP and PUK were described as undermining political and economic stability and increasing vulnerability to outside interference.

The report also warned that the failure to unify the Peshmerga forces under a common command poses risks in terms of international support, while a possible U.S.–Iran rapprochement could create new geopolitical problems for the region.

Regime weakness and social mobilization in East Kurdistan

The report stated that Iran has suffered serious military and economic setbacks in recent years and is no longer as strong as in previous periods.

It noted that society is under immense economic, social, and psychological pressure, while demands for change—especially among younger generations—continue to grow. The report suggested that a possible regional ceasefire could make social mobilization more visible.

Dialogue debates in Turkey

The report also addressed discussions in Turkey regarding contacts and dialogue surrounding Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. It stated that these discussions demonstrate that the Kurdish question and Kurdish political reality can no longer be denied.

However, it noted that serious questions remain among the Kurdish public regarding whether the process represents a democratic solution or part of another political strategy. Kurdish political institutions were urged to develop a stronger political language capable of informing society accurately and building common positions.

KNK’s institutional self-criticism

The General Assembly also evaluated KNK’s recent institutional activities. The report highlighted the opening of an official representation office in Washington under the name KNC as an important diplomatic achievement.

Diplomatic contacts in France, Canada, the United Kingdom, India, and Australia were also mentioned, along with initiatives at European institutions regarding Abdullah Öcalan’s status and the “right to hope.”

At the same time, the report included self-criticism regarding institutional shortcomings. In particular, it acknowledged that the Language, Culture, and Education Commission had failed to meet desired goals in preserving Kurdish, developing educational policies, and strengthening cultural initiatives.

Proposed solutions

The report also outlined a roadmap for addressing the multidimensional siege and pressure policies facing the Kurdish people.

According to the report, this includes:

– Ensuring that any dialogue processes in Turkey are based on constitutional and legal guarantees;

– Developing a common strategic coordination among Kurdish political movements;

– Completing institutional government-building in Southern Kurdistan and unifying Peshmerga forces under a common national structure;

– Strengthening political, economic, and social relations between Rojava and Southern Kurdistan;

– Expanding efforts in language, culture, and the arts to increase social resilience against assimilation policies.

Finally, the report stressed that while the Kurdish people possess greater political experience and accumulated knowledge than in previous eras, their fragmented structure remains a major weakness. Transforming historical experience into lasting gains, it argued, will only be possible through national unity, professional diplomacy, institutionalization, and a shared strategic vision.

Delegates and institutional representatives later took the floor to express their views on KNK’s policies, shortcomings, and priorities for the coming period.