PKK Declares Ceasefire Following Ocalan’s Disarmament Call

The PKK has declared a unilateral ceasefire in response to Abdullah Ocalan’s call for disarmament, marking a possible shift in Turkey’s long-standing insurgency. The group stresses the need for political conditions for successful disarmament and seeks Ocalan’s release from prison to lead the process. President Erdogan acknowledged this call as a new phase in efforts for a terror-free Turkey, while previous peace talks remain unresolved.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), engaged in an insurgency in Turkey since 1984, announced a unilateral ceasefire on Saturday, agreeing to heed the disarmament call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan. This historic declaration follows Ocalan’s urging for the group to abandon arms and dismantle itself, potentially altering one of the Middle East’s longest-standing conflicts and impacting regional dynamics.

In their statement, released via the PKK-aligned Firat news agency, the group expressed hope for Ocalan’s release from prison, where he has been held since 1999, to facilitate the disarmament process. The PKK highlighted the necessity of favorable political and democratic conditions for the success of this initiative, stating, “We declare a ceasefire effective today to pave the way for the implementation of leader Apo’s call for peace and a democratic society.”

The group affirmed that its forces would remain non-combative unless provoked, emphasizing the need for a secure environment for the planned congressional activities. Disarmament, along with a sustainable ceasefire, could potentially terminate the PKK’s 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths. The PKK is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU.

In response to Ocalan’s call, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that efforts toward a “terror-free Turkey” have entered a new phase and characterized the situation as an opportunity for historical progress against terrorism. Previous engagements between Erdogan and Ocalan to reach a peace agreement in 2015 ended without resolution, leading to further violence.

Erdogan has shown fluctuating support toward Kurdish peace dialogues, recently endorsing the idea of Ocalan facilitating peace but continuing to remove Kurdish mayors on terrorism-related grounds. The PKK currently faces challenges as they are mainly situated in Iraq’s Qandil mountains and are not supported by local Kurdish officials, leaving disarmament as a likely course of action.

The PKK’s declaration of a ceasefire marks a significant potential turning point in the long-standing conflict with Turkey. Ocalan’s call for disarmament raises hopes for renewed peace efforts, contingent on political developments and Ocalan’s possible release. Meanwhile, Turkish leadership continues to navigate a complex relationship with Kurdish political dynamics and militant groups in the region.

Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com