Following a call from its jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to lay down weapons and dissolve, the outlawed Kurdish group PKK has declared a ceasefire with Turkey. The announcement raises hopes for an end to the decades-long insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which has waged an armed struggle since 1984, initially sought an independent homeland for the Kurdish population in Turkey. Over time, its demands shifted toward greater autonomy and improved rights for the Kurdish minority, which constitutes about 20% of Turkey’s 85 million people. The group is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (US).
In a letter read by members of the pro-Kurdish Dem Party, Ocalan urged all factions to lay down their weapons, stating that the movement was originally formed because “the channels of democratic politics were closed.” He emphasized that the current political climate, influenced by nationalist MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, presented an opportunity to end the conflict.
The PKK leadership responded by issuing a statement declaring an immediate ceasefire, adding that its forces would not engage in armed action unless attacked. The group also called for improved prison conditions for Ocalan, who has been in solitary confinement on Imrali Island since 1999. They argued that he should be able to live freely and interact with his associates to facilitate the disarmament process.
While Kurdish leaders and supporters welcomed the development, skepticism remains on both sides. In Diyarbakir and Van, two cities with large Kurdish populations, thousands gathered to watch the announcement. However, senior PKK commander Duran Kalkan warned that Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was not genuinely interested in peace but aimed to dismantle the movement entirely.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to the ceasefire by stating that military operations would resume if the PKK failed to uphold its promises. The Turkish military has recently intensified its operations against Kurdish forces in northern Syria, targeting the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
With over 40,000 deaths since the conflict began, this ceasefire represents a critical moment in the long-running struggle. However, previous truces have collapsed, most notably between 2015 and 2017. Whether this latest initiative leads to lasting peace remains uncertain, as both sides weigh their next moves.
