The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has been locked in a brutal conflict with Turkey for over four decades, announced on Monday that it would disband and cease its armed struggle, a decision hailed by Turkish leaders and foreign officials as a potential turning point for peace in the region.
Since its insurgency began in 1984, the PKK has caused the deaths of over 40,000 people and led to ongoing social and economic turmoil in Turkey. Initially fighting for an independent Kurdish state, the group’s goals evolved over time to focus on greater Kurdish rights and autonomy within Turkey.
The PKK’s decision, made during a congress held last week, could pave the way for political stability in Turkey and encourage efforts to ease tensions in neighboring Iraq and Syria, where Kurdish groups have long been aligned with U.S. forces.
In a statement following a cabinet meeting in Ankara, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the move as a “historic step” towards achieving a terrorism-free Turkey. He emphasized that the decision would open new doors for political and democratic advancements, benefiting not only Turkey but also the wider region.
“By disengaging from terror and violence, we will begin a new era of peace and development,” Erdogan declared. “The winners will be our people and our neighbors.”
The PKK’s congress, held in response to a call from jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, resolved to disband its military wing and cease all armed operations. A PKK official confirmed the decision, noting that weapon handovers would depend on Turkey’s approach to Kurdish rights and the future of PKK fighters.
The move comes at a time when the PKK has been pushed deep into Iraq, following years of Turkish military operations against its fighters. While this dissolution is seen as a positive development, the Turkish government faces the challenge of creating a legal framework for disarming the group, which is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies.
Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the decision as a potential gateway to lasting peace and stability in the region. He pledged that Turkey would closely monitor the situation, stressing the importance of practical steps to ensure the promises made are fulfilled.
The PKK’s dissolution could also affect Kurdish forces in Syria, notably the YPG militia, which has been a key U.S. ally in the fight against ISIS. While Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the PKK, the YPG has previously stated that Öcalan’s call does not apply to its forces, creating a complex regional dynamic.
Domestically, the decision could provide a boost to Erdogan’s political agenda, especially in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast, where decades of conflict have hindered economic development. The PKK has claimed that its struggle “broke the policy of denial” against Kurdish people and has now reached a point where the issue can be addressed through democratic means.
As Turkey contemplates the next steps, the international community, including the U.S., EU, Iraq, and Iran, has expressed cautious optimism that this development could lead to a broader regional peace. However, many uncertainties remain regarding the implementation of this decision and the future role of Öcalan in the peace process.
The PKK’s move to end its armed struggle is seen as a significant shift in a conflict that has defined Turkey’s political and social landscape for decades, offering hope for a new chapter in the country’s troubled history.