The Kurdistan Workers’ Party has declared a ceasefire with Turkey effective March 1, following calls from leader Abdullah Öcalan for disarmament. This development may lead to improved relations, possibly reducing a conflict that has resulted in over 40,000 deaths since 1984. President Erdoğan stands to gain politically if the ceasefire is successful.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced a ceasefire with Turkey, which took effect on the morning of March 1. This announcement was reported by Hurriyet. The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States, has been engaged in armed conflict with Turkey since 1984, seeking greater autonomy for the Kurdish population in Turkey.
The Kurdish community, primarily located in eastern Turkey, western Iran, northern Iraq, and northern Syria, comprises mainly Muslim individuals, alongside Yazidis, Christians, and Jewish minorities. The aspiration for an independent Kurdistan has persisted since the 20th century, particularly after the First and Second World Wars; however, a sovereign Kurdish state has not yet been established.
On February 27, Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK leader currently serving a life sentence in a Turkish prison, urged his supporters to disarm and cease their armed activities. He also called upon Turkish authorities to respect ethnic minorities and the rights to freedom of expression and democratic self-organization. In response, the PKK stated, “We agree with the call of Leader Öcalan and declare that … we will abide by [the agreements] and fulfill the demands.”
According to The New York Times, neutralizing the PKK would represent a significant political achievement for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, enhancing his security agenda and potentially facilitating constitutional revisions that would enable him to seek a third term in office. Should Turkey accept the PKK’s ceasefire, it might bring to a close a conflict that has claimed approximately 40,000 lives over the past decade.
Relations between Erdoğan and the PKK have shown signs of improvement in recent years, particularly following suggestions from Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, regarding Öcalan’s opportunity to speak in parliament. In December 2024, Öcalan expressed a willingness to take positive action in response to such proposals, indicating a potential shift towards peace.
The declaration of a ceasefire by the PKK marks a pivotal turn in Turkish-Kurdish relations, potentially paving the way for a resolution of a long-standing conflict. The PKK’s commitment to disarmament, alongside Öcalan’s calls for respect towards ethnic minorities, signifies an opening for dialogue. If maintained, this ceasefire could lead to a significant decrease in violence and help reshape Turkey’s political landscape under Erdoğan’s leadership.
Original Source: babel.ua
