Greek communist MEPs call the EU to lift sanctions against earthquake-hit Syria

With a letter addressed to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, the MEPs of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), Kostas Papadakis and Lefteris Nikolaou-Alavanos, demand the immediate lift of the embargo against Syria.

More specifically, as 902 portal reported, the two KKE eurodeputies write:

Türkiye — Suriye halkları ile dayanışma | التضامن مع شعوب تركيا — سوريا | Solidarity with the people of Turkey and Syria

Greece's PAME calls for material aid to earthquake-hit people of Turkey and Syria: "You are not alone"

In a statement following the devastating earthquake that hit regions of South Eastern Turkey and Syria, the All-Workers Militant Front (PAME) expresses its full proletarian solidarity and calls for the collection of material aid for the earthquake-hit people:

"PAME stands by our brothers and sisters, the workers and the peoples of Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and all the neighboring countries affected by the massive earthquake in the morning of Monday, 6 February. We are shocked to see the images, especially from the region at the epicentre of the earthquake, where once again natural phenomena have victimised the poor people.

KKE expresses full solidarity with the earthquake-hit people of Turkey and Syria

Statement by Dimitris Koutsoumbas, General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), concerning the disastrous earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria:

"We express our full solidarity with the peoples of Turkey and Syria, who currently need urgent and coordinated international aid to rescue the missing persons and provide effective support to the people affected by the earthquake. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and our wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.

Trade unionist leader Muhammad Shaban Azouz dies

Muhammad Shaban Azouz, prominent trade unionist leader from Syria and former President of the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU), died on Monday in Damascus, aged 70. 

Azouz, a native of Aleppo, was a long-time member of the central leadership of Al-Baath Arab Socialist Party.

In a statement, the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) stresses out:

"With great sorrow, the WFTU informs about the passing away of comrade Mohammad Shaban Azouz who served as president of the WFTU.

Turkish communists condemn Erdogan's attack in Syria and north Iraq

In a statement concerning the air strikes of the Turkish Armed Forces on Kurdish settlements in Syria and Iraq, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) stresses out:

"Following the bombing attack on Istanbul’s Istiklal Street last week, the Turkish Armed Forces has been conducting air strikes on Kurdish settlements in Syria and Iraq since last night. Alleging that this operation is carried out on the pretext of “defense”, the AKP government is once again concealing the truth.

KKE denounces Turkey's air strikes in Syria, north Iraq

The new Turkish military offensive in Syria and northern Iraq consists a demonstration of power under the compliance of USA, EU and Russia, reads a statement issued by the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE).

More specifically, the statement reads (here in Greek):

"The KKE denounces Turkey's new unacceptable air strike on the Kurdish areas of Syria and Northern Iraq, which is added to the military operations of the previous period and the maintenance of the Turkish occupation of Syrian lands and military forces on Iraq's territory. 

KKE condemns U.S. air strikes in Syria: Those who cultivated expectations about the Biden presidency are exposed

U.S. President Joe Biden ordered on Thursday the launching of air strikes against buildings in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said were used by “Iranian-backed militias”, in retaliation for rocket attacks on American targets in Iraq. According to the London-based “Syrian Observatory for Human Rights”, at least 22 people have been killed by the strikes.

U.S. Pentagon press secretary John Kirby portrayed the bombing in Syria as “carefully calibrated” calling it “proportionate” and “defensive”. 

10 years after the illusion of the "Arab Spring"

It was like yesterday, 10 years ago, when an event that took place in Tunisia was to go down in history. It was the self-immolation, out of desperation, of young fruit seller Mohamed Bouazizi outside the local governor's office at the small town of Sidi Bouzid. It was an act which marked a wave of protests that the bourgeoisie named “Arab Spring” and which continued in Northern African countries, Libya, Egypt and crossed into Syria. In fact, opportunist forces, like SYRIZA in our country, talked about a “popular revolution”. 

Refugee Crisis: Militant intervention by Greek communists in the developments

The following article provides a thorough outline of the position and initiatives of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) regarding the ongoing refugee situation in the borders between Greece and Turkey and the Greek islands: 

Militant intervention by the communists in the developments concerning the Refugee question

By Nikos Sofianos*

Greece must not become EU's refugee prison, says KKE MEP Kostas Papadakis

Communist Party (KKE) eurodeputy Kostas Papadakis.

The immense responsibilities of the European Union and NATO in the creation and perpetuation of the refugee situation in the Greek-Turkish borders, as well as the need for the abolition of EU's Dublin Regulation and the EU-Turkey migrant deal, were highlighted by Kostas Papadakis, MEP for the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), during his intervention at the EU Parliament’s plenary in Brussels. 

More specifically Papadakis pointed out the following:

Dimitris Koutsoumbas on refugee crisis: "Dublin Regulation, EU-Turkey deal must be abolished"

The General Secretary of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) Dimitris Koutsoumbas gave an interview to “Real News” newspaper where, among other things, he refered to the ongoing refugee situation in the Greek-Turkish borders. Below you can read the excerpts of his answers:

“There is no greatest depravity than using uprooted, tortured people for your own aspirations, like Erdogan does, who blackmails for more support by the EU and NATO for his intervention in Northern Syria as well as in his other plans. For that reason, the needed protection of the borders can neither target the refugees nor acquitting EU and NATO which uproot people and have led to the entrapment of thousands of refugees in the Aegean islands and in Evros, thus playing Erdogan’s game. And certainly it cannot be utilized for the emboldenment of reactionary, racist voices”.

Statement of the Political Bureau of the KKE on the refugee crisis in Greek-Turkish borders

On March 3, 2020, the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) issued a statement regarding the refugee situation in the Greek-Turkish borders and the measures announced by the government. You can read previous statements by the KKE about the issue here and here. 

The statement is the following:

The latest developments, with the entrapment of thousands of refugees and immigrants on the Aegean islands and at the Greek-Turkish border in Evros, confirm once again that the EU and NATO policy that the Greek governments have followed and are fervently adhering to now is, on the one hand, responsible for the dissolution of countries and the uprooting of peoples and on the other,  for the entrapment of uprooted peoples on islands and at borders. This policy has paved the way for Erdogan to try to impose his own objectives, using the refugee situation as a vehicle.

Refugee flows are a result of the interventions by US-NATO-EU and Turkey in Syria — KKE

During the last 48 hours, the tension in the Greek-Turkish borders in Evros has been escalated, with thousands of refugees and migrants gathering at Kastanies/Pazarkule border gate. “We will no longer keep the doors closed for refugees who want to go to Europe”, a senior Turkish official said as a response to the killing of 33 Turkish soldiers in Idlib Province, Syria. 

At the same time, the Greek government decided yesterday to suspend border crossing at Kastanies, sending additional riot police forces to the area. In a message, Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis wrote: “I want to be clear: no illegal entries into Greece will be tolerated”, announcing the increase of border security. 

"This war must be ended!": Turkey's Communist Party (TKP) reacts to the Idlib massacre

At least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed and 36 wounded in an airstrike in the Syrian province of Idlib, Turkish officials announced on February 27. The Turkish government has decided to open its southwestern border with Syria for the next 72 hours. 

On this occasion, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) has issued a statement on the war waged by Erdogan's government in Syria. 

Israeli communists condemn air strikes against Gaza and Damascus - الشيوعي والجبهة يدينان العدوان الإسرائيلي الإجرامي على غزة ودمشق

The Communist Party of Israel and the Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Al-jabha/Hadash) unequivocally condemn Israel's criminal acts of aggression against both Damascus and Gaza, the latter of which were initiated by the Israeli military beginning at dawn on Tuesday, November 12, resulting in 5 deaths. 

The CPI and Al-jabha/Hadash counsel against the Israel's resumption of targeted assassinations aimed at escalating the situation, as was made so clear today in the statements released by Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Chief of Staff of the Israeli military, and the head of the Israel Security Agency ("Shin Bet").

Hands Off Syria! Communist and Workers' Parties condemn Turkey's offensive in Syria

Communist and workers' parties across the world have issued statements condemning Turkey's military operation in northeastern Syria. 

In previous posts we have published the statements of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), as well as the one of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) which you can read below.

"Erdogan and the USA are partners in crime in Syria" — Communist Party of Turkey (TKP)

The Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) has released a statement regarding the military offensive into northern Syria, on which Turkey carrying out ground attacks and airstrikes. Shouting "hands off Syria!", TKP says AKP and the United States are partners in crime in Syria for the last eight years. The statement is the following:

"Syria has been suffering for eight years.

About eight years ago, anti-government demonstrations commenced in Syria. These demonstrations soon turned into an armed uprising and clashes in certain cities. Then together with the involvement of foreign forces, the civil war and the occupation of imperialist powers led by the US started.

Hands Off the people of Syria! KKE condemns Turkey's new military invasion in Syria

In a statement published in 902 portal, the Press Office of the CC of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE) condemns the new invasion of the Turkish armed forces in Syria and expresses solidarity with the people of Syria and the Kurdish population of the region. 

More specifically, the statement reads:

Turkish communists respond to Donald Trump: "Loser, liar and a tyrant servant of imperialism"

"As I have stated strongly before, and just to reiterate, if Turkey does anything that I, in my great and unmatched wisdom, consider to be off limits, I will totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey (I’ve done before!)”, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter, commenting on a possible military operation of the Turkish army in northern Syria. 

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Turkey (TKP) has released a statement regarding the tweet of the President of the United States threatening Turkey. The full statement is as follows: