Outlawed Kurdish militants have officially declared a ceasefire with Turkey, responding to a significant appeal made by their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urging the group to disband and end a conflict that has persisted for more than 40 years. This announcement marks the first response from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) since Ocalan’s call to lay down arms earlier this week.
The PKK’s executive committee stated, “In order to pave the way for the implementation of leader Apo’s call for peace and democratic society, we are declaring a ceasefire effective from today.” They emphasized their commitment to follow and implement Ocalan’s guidance, stating that “none of our forces will take armed action unless attacked.” The committee is based in northern Iraq, where the group maintains a significant presence.
Designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, the PKK has engaged in an armed insurgency since 1984, originally seeking a separate homeland for the Kurdish population, which makes up approximately 20% of Turkey’s 85 million citizens. Over time, however, the group’s aspirations have shifted towards seeking greater autonomy and cultural rights rather than outright independence.
Various attempts to cease hostilities have occurred since Ocalan’s imprisonment in 1999, with more than 40,000 lives lost due to the ongoing conflict. After a series of discussions with Ocalan at his island prison, the pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DEM) relayed his plea for the PKK to disarm and hold a congress to announce its dissolution.
In their announcement, the PKK expressed readiness to convene this congress but stipulated that a secure environment conducive to such discussions must be established first. They stressed that Ocalan should be allowed to lead this process personally for it to succeed. Furthermore, they insisted on improved prison conditions for Ocalan, advocating for his right to live freely and maintain unrestricted contact with others.
Analysts have noted that a truce with the PKK could have significant implications for regional stability, particularly in Syria, where President Bashar al-Assad was ousted following a protracted civil war. Experts suggest that a peace accord with the PKK could facilitate a more stable atmosphere in Syria, which has been a target for cross-border terrorist activities and mass migration.
Anthony Skinner, director of research at Marlow Global, explained that a deal with the PKK aligns with Turkish governmental objectives to address persistent security threats. The Turkish military frequently targets Syrian Kurdish fighters, whom they claim are affiliated with the PKK.
Bayram Balci, an analyst from Sciences Po Paris University, remarked that the PKK acknowledges it lacks the robust support it once enjoyed, citing a transformation of the regional dynamics. He pointed out that support from Assad may have diminished and that the threat from Islamic State, while reduced, still exists, contributing to a sense of fatigue surrounding the conflict.
Following the collapse of peace talks in 2015, there was a long absence of communication with the PKK until a recent olive branch was extended by a hardline nationalist ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, encouraging Ocalan to renounce violence. Erdogan labeled Ocalan’s appeal as a “historic opportunity,” underscoring the Turkish government’s intent to ensure the negotiations aimed at resolving the insurgency reach a favorable outcome.
Moreover, the Iraqi government has welcomed Ocalan’s call, deeming it a “positive and important step” toward enhancing regional stability. The presence of the PKK in Iraq, particularly in the autonomous Kurdistan region, has historically caused friction between Baghdad and Ankara, elevating tensions as Turkey conducts military operations in pursuit of the Kurdish militants.
