News Center_ The Coordination of Kongra Star highlighted the pivotal role of Kurdish politician Salih Muslim in the path of the Kurdish liberation struggle and his deep impact on the revolution and society during his years of political and social work.

In a statement issued today, Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Coordination of Kongra Star mourned the prominent Kurdish politician and diplomat Salih Muslim, known as “Abu Welat.” The statement noted that he was one of the figures who left a profound mark on the Kurdish struggle from the 1980s until the day of his passing.

The Coordination affirmed that his passing represents a great loss for the Kurdish political movement and for everyone who knew him and accompanied his journey. He carried out a long struggle marked by steadfastness and determination, facing various forms of repression and targeting without ever abandoning his principles.

The Coordination added that Salih Muslim “devoted nearly five decades of his life to defending the freedom of Kurdistan and the values of its people, standing against the attacks of the Ba’ath regime and the Turkish state while maintaining his principled stance under all circumstances.”

The statement added: “During the early years when leader Abdullah Öcalan entered the Syrian and Rojava arena, Salih Muslim was among the first to stand by his side, engaging in political and organizational work despite arrest campaigns, torture, and psychological warfare aimed at distancing him from the struggle. However, he faced these pressures with remarkable steadfastness and remained committed to his path of struggle.”

The Coordination explained that, as a sociologist, he played a prominent role within society in Rojava and left a clear mark during the fourteen years of the revolution. He also emerged as an influential politician who was able to bring the Kurdish people’s cause to the international stage and defend it with confidence and knowledge. The statement noted that “during the years of the revolution, he was subjected to political and media attacks by the Turkish state targeting his character and status, yet he confronted them with calm language and great patience, maintaining his steadfastness and principles.”

According to the statement, Salih Muslim served as co-chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) for two terms, during which he earned the love and respect of his people due to his role in strengthening national awareness and promoting values of mutual respect, in addition to his constant belief in peace and democracy and his hope to see leader Abdullah Öcalan again to continue the path toward a solution.

The statement also emphasized that his connection to the project of Abdullah Öcalan was deeply rooted and that he was among the strongest defenders of it in the face of attacks. It added: “He was close to the people, simple in his dealings, able to communicate with children with a loving spirit and with women in a sincere comradely manner, always striving to build a democratic family. These qualities gave him a special place in the hearts of people across different regions.”

The Coordination noted that “speaking about him cannot fully do him justice. He was among those who lived the pain of their people, confronted policies of denial until the very last moment, and worked tirelessly to introduce the world to the Kurdish people’s cause.”

In conclusion, the Coordination of Kongra Star commemorated politician Salih Muslim, describing him as a great diplomat, a companion of women, a friend of peoples, and a man of deep thought with firm belief in the philosophy of leader Öcalan, affirming:
“We will continue his struggle until his dreams are realized.”