Turkey’s Kurds Maintain Skepticism Despite PKK’s Ceasefire Declaration

Turkey’s Kurds react cautiously to a ceasefire declaration by PKK following their leader Abdullah Ocalan’s call for disarmament. Skepticism remains as many lament past failures of peace processes, fearing the Turkish government’s true intentions. Despite local optimism in Iraq, doubts persist surrounding the nature of Ocalan’s peace bid.

Turkey’s recent ceasefire declaration by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) raises mixed feelings among Kurds in Turkey and northern Iraq, particularly in Diyarbakir, the country’s largest Kurdish-majority city. The PKK’s announcement follows a call from their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urging disarmament which could benefit President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. However, many Kurds express skepticism over the Turkish government’s commitment to peace, referencing past failures.

Local residents, like Turkan Duman, who lost family members in the conflict, voice distrust towards the government, recalling previous failed peace attempts in 2015. “We do not trust them… nothing has changed,” Duman stated, highlighting her sense of betrayal from past peace promises.

Kiymet Soresoglu of the Peace Mothers’ Association conveys similar fears, projecting that any demands for disarmament without reciprocity will be rejected. She insists that the sacrifices made by their children cannot be overlooked in the ongoing struggle for Kurdish rights.

The long-standing conflict since 1984 has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, complicating the path to any resolution. International Crisis Group estimates over 7,000 deaths since the resumption of fighting in July 2015. The recent ceasefire was largely influenced by Ocalan’s calls for peace, showing a significant shift in PKK leadership dynamics.

Experts like Vahap Coskun from Dicle University note that the PKK’s readiness to consider disarmament represents a major step forward. He anticipates a swift internal congress aimed at dissolution, emphasizing the critical nature of timing in this peace process.

In northern Iraq, reactions were more optimistic, with residents in Sulaymaniyah viewing the ceasefire as a potential turning point. Najmadin Bahaadin describes this moment as historic, differentiating it from previous agreements marred by mistrust and failure. However, some, like Awat Rashid, question whether Ocalan’s overtures were voluntary or coerced, highlighting a lingering need for cautious optimism.

The ceasefire by PKK offers a glimmer of hope for peace in the long-standing conflict affecting Turkey’s Kurdish population. While there is significant skepticism towards the Turkish government’s commitment, the calls for peace from imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan suggest a potential shift in dynamics. As both sides navigate this delicate situation, many await to see if tangible steps towards lasting peace can be realized, contrasting with historical precedents of failed agreements.

Original Source: apnews.com