Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), has called on the group to disarm and dissolve itself, potentially ending four decades of guerrilla warfare in Turkey. The message, read out by allies in Istanbul, marks a significant shift that could reshape the conflict.
Öcalan, 75, is serving a life sentence on a remote Turkish island after his capture in 1999. In his statement, he said: 'I am making a call for the laying down of arms, and I take on the historical responsibility for this call. All groups must lay down their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself.'
The announcement was met with joy by Kurdish activists in Istanbul, but the Turkish government responded cautiously. A deputy head of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling party said: 'We will look at the result.' The government has sought unilateral disarmament and quashed suggestions of peace talks.
The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the UK and the US, has been responsible for numerous attacks since its founding in 1978. A ceasefire collapsed in 2015, leading to renewed Turkish offensives. The International Crisis Group estimates over 7,150 people have been killed since then.
Öcalan's call could have far-reaching implications across the Middle East, particularly in Syria, where the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control territory. The SDF commander, Mazloum Abdi, said the call only concerns the PKK and not his group, but acknowledged it could remove pretexts for Turkish attacks.
Analysts say the move could open a path to peace if democratic politics are recognised and legal support is provided. Pro-Kurdish politicians hope for a reprieve from government pressure, which has seen mayors replaced in the Kurdish-majority south-east.
