The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced a ceasefire in its long-standing conflict with Turkey. The move follows a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, for the group to disarm. The declaration, reported by the pro-PKK Firat News Agency (ANF), marks a significant step in a 40-year conflict with the Turkish government.
Öcalan and the peace process
The PKK’s executive committee stated, “We are declaring a ceasefire from today to implement Leader Apo’s call for peace and a democratic society.” They expressed full support for Öcalan’s message. The committee also made it clear that no armed action would take place unless provoked.
The PKK hopes Turkey will release Öcalan, who has been in isolation since 1999. They believe his release is essential for the disarmament process and creating the political conditions needed for peace. The group did not specify when it plans to disband.
Regional reactions to the ceasefire
Öcalan recently made a historic appeal from prison. He urged the PKK to end its armed struggle and dissolve the group. Despite being jailed since 1999 for treason, Öcalan, now 75, still has significant influence over the PKK, which he founded in 1978.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Öcalan’s call. He called it a “historic opportunity” for peace. Erdoğan promised that Turkey would monitor the process closely to ensure the peace talks succeed. He added that once the threat of terrorism and violence is removed, democracy can expand.
The PKK, labelled a terrorist group by Turkey, the US, and the EU, has fought since 1984 for Kurdish autonomy in Turkey. The conflict has caused over 40,000 deaths. Previous peace talks have failed, including those in 2015.
The PKK is ready to hold a congress, as Öcalan suggested. However, the group stressed that a secure environment must be in place first. Öcalan’s involvement is crucial to ensure the congress’s success.
Iraq has also praised Öcalan’s call, calling it an important step toward regional stability. The PKK’s presence in northern Iraq remains a source of tension between Baghdad and Ankara. Turkey regularly targets PKK positions in the region through military operations.
