The PKK’s ceasefire announcement has generated mixed emotions among Kurds in Turkey and Iraq, with some expressing skepticism about the Turkish government’s commitment to peace. Residents of Diyarbakir reflect on a history of broken promises, while experts note possible shifts within the PKK’s leadership. Meanwhile, reactions in Sulaymaniyah are cautiously optimistic, suggesting a potential turning point in negotiations despite underlying doubts.
On Saturday, a significant ceasefire declaration from the PKK, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, has ignited a complex mix of hope and skepticism among Kurds in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq. This development follows a call from their imprisoned leader for disarmament and presents an opportunity for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government. However, many locals remain wary due to a history of broken promises regarding peace, particularly the collapse of a previous ceasefire in 2015.
Residents in Diyarbakir, a city heavily impacted by the conflict, voiced their distrust towards the Turkish government. “We do not trust them, they said the same things before, nothing has changed,” expressed Turkan Duman, who has lost family members to the conflict. Similar sentiments were echoed by Kiymet Soresoglu, who mirrors Duman’s fears, emphasizing a desire for peace yet concern over potential government manipulation.
Duman noted her son’s imprisonment for PKK membership, while Soresoglu lamented the wounds inflicted by previous hostilities in Kurdish regions. “If they tell us to lay down our weapons without expecting anything in return, we would not accept this,” warned Soresoglu. The long history of violence has taken a significant toll, with tens of thousands reported dead since the initiation of armed conflict in 1984.
Legal expert Vahap Coskun remarked on the implications of the PKK’s recent moves, noting that leadership appears unified despite Abdullah Ocalan’s long imprisonment. Coskun suggested that the current ceasefire process is being approached with a sensitivity absent in prior negotiations, which might facilitate real progress toward a peaceful resolution.
Meanwhile, reactions from Kurds in the Iraqi region of Sulaymaniyah were more optimistic. Local leader Najmadin Bahaadin hailed the ceasefire as “a historical moment,” indicating a potential shift in the approach of both the PKK and the Turkish government. However, some, like Awat Rashid, questioned the credibility of Ocalan’s leadership from prison and pondered the authenticity of the peace proposal.
The recent ceasefire declaration by the PKK has sparked a complex reaction among Kurds in southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq, revealing deep-seated skepticism about the Turkish government’s commitment to peace. Local sentiments reflect a mixture of hope and caution, underscoring the historical context of failed agreements and ongoing strife. While some perceive this as a potential turning point for peace, others await tangible actions from the government before fully embracing the ceasefire. The future of Kurdish-Turkish relations remains uncertain as discussions about the peace process continue.
Original Source: www.click2houston.com
