The outlawed Kurdish group, the PKK, has officially declared its intention to disband and cease hostilities after a protracted 40-year insurgency against Turkey. This significant announcement follows a call from the group’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, made earlier this year.
Initially established to advocate for an independent Kurdish homeland, the PKK’s objectives have evolved over time, now advocating for greater autonomy and enhanced rights for Kurds, who make up approximately 20% of Turkey’s population. Throughout the conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of over 40,000 individuals, the PKK has been designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, the UK, and the US.
Ocalan’s call for peaceful resolution
In a letter sent from his solitary confinement in a prison on an island in the Sea of Marmara, Ocalan, now 76, urged the PKK to disarm and dissolve. He stated,
“there is no alternative to democracy in the pursuit and realisation of a political system. Democratic consensus is the fundamental way.”
This call for disbandment has raised questions about what concessions might be offered in return, with speculation suggesting that Ocalan could be granted parole.
Political implications and potential for dialogue
Kurdish politicians are optimistic that this development may pave the way for renewed political dialogue and a pathway toward achieving greater rights for the Kurdish population. Both the PKK and the Turkish government may find this moment opportune for a resolution. The PKK has faced significant military setbacks at the hands of the Turkish armed forces in recent years, and geopolitical shifts have constrained their operations in Iraq and Syria.
Moreover, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may need the backing of pro-Kurdish political factions as he prepares for the next presidential election in Turkey, scheduled for 2028. A spokesperson for Erdogan’s ruling AK Party remarked that the decision to disband is a crucial step towards a “terror-free Turkey,” emphasizing that the process will be overseen by state institutions.
Winthrop Rodgers, an expert from the international affairs think tank Chatham House, noted that realizing the demands of Kurdish political parties would require a significant democratic transition within Turkey. He acknowledged a recent willingness among some Turkish leaders to engage constructively, saying, “But whether that extends to the major changes needed to ensure full Kurdish participation in politics and society is far less clear. In a lot of ways, the ball is in Turkey’s court.”