The government and its structures, which have been built on repression and
denial of the identity of women, millions of Kurds, other ethnicities, and the
The exploitation of the working class and the lower strata of society for the benefit of exploitative capitalists and predatory corporations can no longer endure against the forward momentum of history through bullets and prison.
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The ongoing nationwide uprising on March 19 in Turkey, which erupted in protest against the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor, Ekrem İmamoğlu, a leader of CHP, is the culmination of social uprisings that have been repressed and left unanswered for years. Therefore, the current uprising in Turkey is not just a transient outburst, but rather a part of a larger social, political, and class struggle. In this process, political, social, and economic crises will intensify, becoming more concentrated, and can have an impact on Turkey as well as its international relations and the entire Middle East.
Although the ongoing uprising in Turkey may temporarily overshadow the peace talks and the freedom of Abdullah Öcalan, in the long term, it will deepen internal
contradictions within the ruling despotism, benefiting the advance towards a new
society and the underprivileged masses. In this context, social and the
exploited forces, who, according to the logic of modern capitalist class relations,
are under pressure and repression will be able to respond appropriately to the
calls of a modern society through unity and solidarity.
Thus, the current process can not only lead to positive developments in Turkey but also pave the way for peace talks, reconciliation, political freedoms, and the
realization of a new society.
In this path, awareness and solidarity among different segments of society, including
Kurds and other ethnic groups can offer an opportunity to rebuild and renew connections for a free life.
The ongoing social uprising is the direct result of the oppressive relations maintained by the ruling class and the economic policies of neoliberalism, which have brought about a crisis for peripheral countries surrounded by the expanding metropolitan powers. For a long time, the foundation of the authoritarian regime had been trembling. Now, the very system and government, which have maintained their power through economic, political, and military rents along with the production of chemical weapons and the perpetuation of war in the region, have, as history shows, become consumed by the same fire they ignited.
A government and a system that has been built on the repression and denial of the identity of millions of Kurds, other ethnicities, the exploitation of the working class, women, and the lower strata of society for the benefit of exploitative capitalists and predatory companies can no longer withstand the forward-moving force of history with bullets and prisons.
This uprising is not merely a simplification of the conflict between the “capitalist modernity” of Atatürkism and the “pre-modern feudalistic” and “Muslim Brotherhood” perspectives. Several factors, including class, economic, cultural, and identity factors, play an essential role in this movement.
Main Factors Behind the Uprising in Turkey:
1. Economic Crisis: Turkey, with a consumption-based economy dependent on energy and technology imports, is caught in an escalating inflationary crisis. According to IMF the consumer price index (CPI) forecast or inflation rate for 2024 has been raised to 60.9%, with growing unemployment, an unprecedented drop in the value of the Turkish lira, increased import costs, reduced foreign investment, rising external debts, astronomical war costs, and the ongoing war crimes in Syria, northeastern Syria, and the nearly 50-year-long war aimed at suppressing the Kurdish people’s freedom movement. These are among the key economic factors fueling the current uprising.
2. Authoritarianism and Political/Social Repression: Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his militaristic and security-oriented government, plagued by megalomania and neo-Ottomanism, have lost their legitimacy. Alongside this economic crisis, Erdoğan’s authoritarianism, the political and social repression of his military-security regime, have ignited public anger and disgust. With his delusions of grandeur through neo-Ottomanism, Erdoğan has turned Turkey into a center of terrorism, attracting jihadists, the Muslim Brotherhood, and interfering in the affairs of regional countries through proxy forces. These aggressive policies, aimed at reviving the Ottoman Empire in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, and beyond, conflict with the realities of the 21st century. The consolidation of authoritarianism against the advancement of repressive and regressive policies has generated widespread hatred and dissatisfaction in Turkey, the region, and across the globe.
3. Political Turmoil in the Government
The geopolitical changes in the Middle East and globally, especially after the end of the Cold War, have had a profound impact on Turkey’s position and strategy. The need for strategic adjustments in the region’s geopolitical landscape is at odds with Erdoğan’s destructive vision. Under Erdoğan’s leadership, the Turkish government is experiencing confusion and disarray, grappling with a series of escalating crises. In addition to the ongoing economic and political turmoil, the call for a resolution of the deadlock, sparked by Abdullah Öcalan’s bold and insightful appeal on February 27, 2025, has plunged the Turkish government deeper into internal contradictions and instability. Öcalan’s brave and courageous call, which was followed by a new response from the leadership council of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), highlights the pressing need for fundamental transformation in Turkey. This appeal not only advocates for political change within Turkey but also seeks to revive the ideals of ending the war and promoting solidarity to build a new future in the region.
4. The Majestic Rise of Resistance Forces and Oppressed Kurdish Masses: The resistance forces and oppressed Kurdish masses, celebrating Nowruz in 2025 with passion and enthusiasm, captivated the world. The recent historic observance of March 8 and Nowruz not only symbolized solidarity and social awareness but also represented the Kurdish people’s demand for freedom and rights based on a free, social, and equal life.
5. Geopolitical Factors: During the Cold War, Turkey was regarded as one of the most important and strategically critical allies of the West in the Middle East and Central Asia. Due to its geopolitical location, bordering Eastern bloc countries, Turkey held special strategic importance in global security and economic policies. During that period, Turkey played a pivotal role in NATO’s military bases, including Incirlik, one of the primary air force bases for the United States and NATO. However, with the end of the Cold War and the collapse of real socialism, Turkey’s role diminished, and many of those dependencies ended. Turkey’s shift towards new alliances and its growing relations with China, Russia, and the formation of new blocs like Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, and the recent Syrian government have created a new challenge for Turkey’s relationship with the West and global public opinion. On the international stage, Erdoğan’s policies in relations with Iran, Russia, Israel, and Western powers have always been accompanied by contradictions and complexities. Turkey, due to its contradictory foreign policies, including aligning with Putin and the war in Ukraine in the context of Russia’s unstable position, and politically supporting Hamas against Israel, has found itself in a sensitive and precarious situation.
These geopolitical shifts and policies have had a profound impact, both directly and indirectly, on Turkey’s internal and foreign strategies, thus contributing to the political and social uprisings in Turkey. As a result, Turkey has not only forged tactical alliances with Putin’s Russia but has also become one of Russia’s allies. Despite being a NATO member, Turkey has purchased the S-400 defense system from Russia, supported Putin in the war with Ukraine, backed Hamas against Israel, and escalated the deployment of proxy jihadist forces in Syria to new heights.
The transformation of Turkey from a purely strategic NATO ally to a conflicted regional actor, at odds with NATO, has resulted in internal tensions within political parties and rival groups in Turkey. These conflicts, along with other factors mentioned above, are leading to the ongoing uprising and the need for change in Turkey’s governmental structure.
Erdogan’s Self-Inflicted Damage and the Kurdish Peace Process
Erdogan, through the arrest of Ekrem Imamoglu, took a self-destructive step at a time when, more than ever in his autocratic reign, he was losing credibility and support among the masses. The arrest occurred at a time when both domestic public opinion and global sentiment were waiting for Turkey’s response to Abdullah Öcalan’s call, the theorist and advocate of a new society, who had been in solitary confinement for 26 years. Öcalan’s call, in which he urged the Turkish government to engage in peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and other Kurdish groups, marked a critical turning point in the relationship between Kurds, Turks, and other ethnic groups in Turkey and the region, as well as with the Turkish state.
This call, especially considering Turkey’s regional and political crises and the decades-long internal wars with the Kurds, garnered significant attention. In such a context, Erdogan’s arrest of Imamoglu, the mayor of Istanbul and one of his most prominent critics, was indicative of his disarray and the tense political situation in Turkey. Imamoglu’s arrest intensified the internal political crisis, sparked widespread international reactions, and further harmed Erdogan and his coalition government.
The peace dialogue proposal with Öcalan, initially initiated by the Bahçeli-led government, was not a solution to the historical Kurdish question but rather a reflection of a tactical political move to buy time and avoid escalating governmental crises. This proposal, followed by Öcalan’s insightful ten-point response, was received with political insight by Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK, the resistance fighters, especially the women in Kurdish regions and northeastern Syria.
The eight-point agreement between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), signed by their self-administration leaders in northern Syria and Ahmed al-Shara in Damascus, further trapped the Turkish government in a corner. This process is now at risk and holds serious implications not only for Turkey but for the security of the broader Middle East.
Future Outlook:
Given the deep crises in Erdogan’s government, led by Erdogan, Hakan Fidan, and Devlet Bahçeli, and the majority of the governed as well as the opposition, led by Ekrem Imamoglu, the possibility of regime changes in Turkey, despite Erdogan’s show of power, has made Turkey face the more serious challenges. With the involvement of socialist and radical forces, labor movements, women, youth, students, the unemployed, and the oppressed masses in street protests and general strikes, Turkey will move toward revolutionary conditions.
In this context, the PKK should focus on peace negotiations, pushing for Abdollah Öcalan’s unconditional freedom, as well as dialogues with the opposition. Solidarity between Kurds, Turks, and the broader populace should focus on building a new, free, and equal society based on human, cultural, and environmental values, and the philosophy of “Women, Life, Freedom.”
Erdogan and his allies continue to grapple with political competition, polarization, and repression. Suppressing this movement through violence, force, and mass arrests may provide temporary relief, but the collapse of Erdogan’s legitimacy means that the political and economic crises cannot be resolved. With increased pressure and destructive power, Erdogan’s government will ultimately collapse, leading to its demise.
Dr. Abbas Mansouran, bacteriologist and epidemiologist. He has conducted independent research in North and East Syria, investigating medical facilities and providing treatment to the wounded, amid allegations of chemical weapons use by Turkey.
25 March 2025
