PKK leader discusses regional 'third world war'

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, October 13, 2026

PKK leader Murat Karayilan described Middle Eastern conflicts as part of a wider "Third World War" involving regional sectarian rivalries and global power struggles, linking these to recent events such as the Hamas attacks and U.S. military withdrawals. He emphasized the PKK's push for democratic reforms and disarmament amid shifting alliances, highlighting ongoing uncertainty about the future status of Kurds and Turkey's political landscape.

Murat Karayilan, a co-founder and current leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has described the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East as part of a broader "Third World War," in an exclusive interview published on October 12. Speaking to Kamal Chomani of The Amargi news outlet, Karayilan characterized this war as a global struggle for dominance that manifests regionally through sectarian and geopolitical rivalries.

Karayilan outlined the conflict as involving multiple dimensions: a regional struggle between Shia and Sunni factions, a contest between Iran and the Arab Gulf states, and a broader confrontation influenced by major global powers seeking control over the Middle East. He attributed these dynamics to a "supremacist mentality" aimed at shaping the region’s future governance and control. The interview comes amid significant shifts in Kurdish politics and the region, with the PKK reportedly moving toward disarmament and potential reconciliation with the Turkish government.

The interview, Chomani’s first with Karayilan in over a decade, was conducted after an extended stint inside PKK-held areas. Karayilan addressed the repercussions of recent events, including the Hamas-led attacks on October 7 and the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq and Syria earlier this year. He emphasized that the global contest for power extends beyond the Middle East and includes the conflict in Ukraine, characterizing the current struggles as part of a prolonged and evolving Third World War marked by competition among capitalist powers, particularly the United States and its allies against China and Russia.

Karayilan pointed to strategic efforts by Western powers to establish a geopolitical corridor stretching from Egypt to Kazakhstan aimed at countering China's influence, highlighting the importance of energy resources and rare earth minerals as key strategic assets in this competition. He noted that war today, in his view, does not serve the populations affected by these conflicts, and he advocated for democratic solutions, positioning the PKK as a force promoting democracy rather than ongoing violence.

The PKK leader also spoke about regional dynamics involving Turkey, Israel, Iran, and Gulf states. He acknowledged growing tensions among U.S. allies, including disputes between Turkey and Greece, and noted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s recent remarks about preventing conflicts between NATO partners from escalating into full-scale war. Karayilan underscored the fragmented nature of alliances in the region, citing competing interests that complicate the broader geopolitical landscape.

At the heart of the PKK’s current agenda is the call for democratic reform within Turkey and the release of Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned PKK founder known as "Apo." Karayilan detailed ongoing efforts toward disarmament, which he said pose significant challenges for the movement. While Ankara has shown some flexibility, uncertainties remain about the full implications of these developments, particularly concerning the future of the Kurdish population and their political status.

The interview provides a rare glimpse into the strategic outlook of the PKK’s leadership amid a period of regional realignment and increasing international focus on Kurdish political issues.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.