Artsakh Uprising: Low-Intensity Clashes, Heightened Tensions Between the Azeris and Kurdish Cadre
Taken from HPG Press Center
PKK fighters battling Turkish troops
Turkish-backed news agencies have reported that Kurdish PKK rebels fought for the side of Armenia in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, which ended last November.
PKK cadre member in Sepanakert, visiting an Armenian basket store
Layika Gultekin, who is part of the women’s group within the PKK, confirmed that there were in fact some 300 PKK advisors who went to train and fight alongside Armenian military and militia units.
Cadre with a local shopkeeper
Kurds have historically been seen with some cynicism from the Armenian population, as the Kurds populate western Armenia and differences in culture and religion, with some Kurds being Muslim and Armenians being Christian, caused some minor tension between the two groups. However, today the Kurdish people enjoy favorable relations with their Armenian neighbors in the region. In fact, the PKK has recognized the Armenian genocide and apologized for the Kurdis population partaking in the genocide.
An unknown number of PKK cadre are being sent to the hotly contested Artsakh region after the Armenian defeat in the Nagorno Karabakh war which ended last November. These şal-u-şepik clad Kurds were photographed partaking in the festivites in the Armenian side of Sepanakert.
“It’s good seeing festivities and life in a city just so recently affected by conflict,” said one PKK cadre in the town square, “the music, food, and fun can be felt by the citizens of Artsakh.”
Cadre member photographed with local performer and food vendor
Not all of their time is fun and games, however. Another PKK cadre member reminded that “We are here to help train the locals to fight the Turkish oppressors which have caused us pain as we experience back home.” The looming threat of terrorist attacks from Azeri backed militias is also a fear of the Armenian and Kurdish visitors. “We have reports that the enemy will disguise themselves as Kurdish militia to sow fear and destabilize the trust we have built with our Armenian bretheren.”
As the cadre enjoy the lively atmosphere of Sepanakert, they are equally as alert, working with local authorities to find any would be attackers, whether they be in Kurdish disguise or not.