Kurdish PKK militants have officially declared a ceasefire after 40 years of conflict with Turkey, following a call from their imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan to disarm. This marks the first positive development since peace talks collapsed in 2015, potentially signaling a new era for negotiations and reconciliation efforts in the region.
Kurdish militants, specifically the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), have announced a ceasefire in their four-decade conflict with Turkey. This announcement follows a call from their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urging the group to disarm. The ceasefire, reported by Firat News Agency, is intended to facilitate a route forward for peace and the establishment of a democratic society.
The PKK’s declaration noted, “We declare a ceasefire effective today to pave the way for the implementation of Leader Apo’s call for peace and democratic society. None of our forces will take armed action unless attacked.” Ocalan, imprisoned since 1999 for treason, continues to wield considerable influence over the PKK despite his incarceration.
The conflict, which erupted in 1984, has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands and has involved the PKK’s insurgent efforts aimed at establishing a Kurdish homeland across regions in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Notably, the situation escalated recently when a terror attack linked to the PKK resulted in multiple fatalities last year.
The ceasefire marks a significant development, being the first indication of a potential resolution since peace negotiations between the PKK and Ankara collapsed in 2015. This initiative follows calls from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s coalition partner, Devlet Bahceli, for the PKK to denounce violence and consider Ocalan’s potential release from prison.
The PKK’s statement suggested the dawn of a “new historical process” for both Kurdistan and the broader Middle East. The group continued to advocate for Ocalan’s release to personally oversee a party congress that could lead to decisive changes in their operations.
In summary, the Kurdish PKK has proclaimed a ceasefire in their long-standing conflict with Turkey, signaling hope for potential peace talks after years of violence. This ceasefire arises following a call by their leader Abdullah Ocalan for disarmament, raising expectations for a new phase of negotiations. Although the conflict remains deeply rooted, this development could pave the way for significant changes in the region’s political landscape.
Original Source: news.sky.com
