A high-ranking commander from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has declared that the group will halt any further actions in the ongoing peace process with Turkey. Telegrammed from a secluded bunker in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq, the commander, Amed Malazgirt, emphasized that the onus now lies with the Turkish government to make meaningful advances. He urged Turkey to initiate negotiations by ensuring the release of the PKK’s founder, Abdullah Ocalan.
Malazgirt stated, “All the steps the leader Apo has initiated have been implemented… there will be no further actions taken.” He outlined two key demands from the PKK: the freedom of Ocalan and the constitutional recognition of the Kurdish people in Turkey. He asserted, “Without this, the process will not succeed.”
Inside the well-ventilated bunker, which is symbolic of the PKK’s military operations, commanders and fighters gathered, surrounded by murals of Ocalan and memorials for fallen companions. Safety protocols were strictly observed during interviews with AFP, as the use of external technical equipment was prohibited.
Another high-ranking female commander, Serda Mazlum Gabar, echoed Malazgirt’s sentiments, asserting that the freedom of Ocalan is crucial for both the Kurdish populace and the PKK fighters. She highlighted, “Our path to freedom passes through the freedom of our leadership,” while expressing the desire for Ocalan to engage with the wider Kurdish community.
Ocalan, now 76, has directed the peace dialogue from Imrali Island, where he has been imprisoned in solitary confinement since 1999. His involvement remains critical to the negotiations, which have varied in pace and intensity over the years.
In a noteworthy development earlier this week, Turkish lawmakers from a committee dedicated to advancing the peace process visited Ocalan. This follows several actions taken by the PKK in recent months, marking a significant pivot in their decades-long conflict with Turkey that has resulted in approximately 50,000 casualties.
Recent milestones include the PKK’s formal renunciation of armed struggle last May, showcased through a ceremony in northern Iraq where 30 fighters symbolically destroyed their weapons. Last month, the group began its withdrawal from Turkish territory into northern Iraq, claiming compliance with their commitment not to engage in armed actions against Turkey.
Ankara has initiated indirect dialogues with the PKK since late last year. Ocalan, in a February message, urged PKK militants to cease armed confrontations and pursue democratic avenues for addressing Kurdish rights. Furthermore, Turkey established a cross-party parliamentary committee to provide a legal framework for the integration of the PKK and its former combatants into the political landscape.
While acknowledging this initiative as a positive step, Malazgirt stressed that more actions are necessary to create a conducive environment for dialogue. He noted, “We are closely monitoring this mission,” affirming the PKK’s commitment to a democratic struggle for Kurdish rights.
Gabar also voiced her aspirations for expansive democratic engagement in Turkey, asserting the belief that many within the PKK would prefer to carry out their aims through political means. However, she maintained the importance of the guerrilla as an embodiment of freedom, insisting on the need for structural changes within the organization to adapt to evolving circumstances.
As the situation develops, the implications of the PKK’s stance and Turkey’s response will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Kurdish-Turkish relations and the broader regional dynamics.
