Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader, has decided to dissolve his organization, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). He has also called on Kurdish fighters to surrender their weapons and end the conflict against Turkey.
On Thursday (February 27), Kurdish lawmakers and leaders read Öcalan’s message at a press conference in Istanbul. They had visited him in prison earlier that day. The message stated, “Call a congress and decide; all groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must be dissolved.”
Öcalan was arrested in Kenya in 1999 and sentenced to life imprisonment in Turkey for treason. Despite being in prison, he has continued to serve as the ideological leader of the PKK.
In 2013, Turkey and the PKK initiated peace talks, and Öcalan called for a ceasefire. However, the talks collapsed in 2015, leading to renewed violence.
Four Decades of Bloodshed
Öcalan’s appeal has raised hopes for an end to the long-running Kurdish-Turkish conflict. The fighting, which began in the 1980s, has claimed nearly 40,000 lives.
Analysts suggest that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is keen to gain political support from the Kurds. As his presidential term ends in 2028, Kurdish support could provide him with an opportunity to stay in power. However, experts warn that the peace process remains fragile and could easily fail.
A Sign of Compromise?
The PKK has been under heavy pressure from Turkish military operations. Meanwhile, Erdoğan’s political ally, Devlet Bahçeli, has hinted at a softer stance toward the Kurds. He suggested that if Öcalan renounces violence and disbands the PKK, his release could be considered. Erdoğan has also described this process as a “historic opportunity.”
What Are the Challenges?
Experts believe that the biggest challenge for this peace initiative is how Kurdish forces in Syria will respond. The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which played a key role in the fight against ISIS, are considered an enemy by Turkey.
SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi has stated that Öcalan’s instructions apply only to the PKK, not to Syrian Kurdish fighters.
Political analysts believe that if Öcalan’s directive is implemented, it could be a major step toward resolving Turkey’s Kurdish crisis.