The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish militant group that has fought the Turkish state for over four decades, declared a ceasefire on Saturday following an unprecedented call from its jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan. This announcement marks the PKK’s first response after Öcalan urged the group to disband and seek peaceful political engagement.
“In order to pave the way for the implementation of leader Apo’s call for peace and democratic society, we are declaring a ceasefire effective from today,” the PKK executive committee stated. The declaration includes a commitment that PKK forces will refrain from armed actions unless attacked. However, the organization stopped short of immediate dissolution, insisting that such a move requires Öcalan’s direct involvement in a broader political process.
Since its inception in 1984, the PKK has fought for Kurdish autonomy, initially seeking an independent state before shifting its demands toward greater rights within Turkey. The insurgency has claimed more than 40,000 lives, making it one of the world’s longest-running conflicts. Past ceasefires, particularly during the 2013-2015 peace process, collapsed amid renewed violence, leaving skepticism about whether this latest development will lead to lasting peace.
The Political Climate and Turkey’s Response
Öcalan’s call for disarmament comes at a critical time in Turkey’s domestic politics. In October 2024, a hardline nationalist ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made an unexpected gesture, suggesting that peace could be possible if Öcalan rejected violence. Since then, several meetings with Öcalan in his island prison have resulted in the pro-Kurdish DEM party relaying his appeal for the PKK to convene a congress and formally dissolve.
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Erdoğan welcomed the development, calling it a “historic opportunity” for peace. “When the pressure of terrorism and arms is eliminated, the space for politics in democracy will naturally expand,” he stated, signaling his government’s intent to closely monitor the situation. However, while endorsing the ceasefire, Turkish authorities have simultaneously intensified crackdowns on Kurdish political movements, arresting hundreds of activists, journalists, and politicians.
The PKK also highlighted concerns regarding Öcalan’s prison conditions, arguing that for a genuine peace process to succeed, he must be able to lead discussions freely. “For the success of the congress, a suitable secure environment must be created,” the group stated, adding that Öcalan must be allowed to work in physical freedom and communicate with his associates.
Regional and International Reactions
The announcement has sparked reactions beyond Turkey. Iraq, where the PKK has established bases in the autonomous Kurdistan region, welcomed Öcalan’s call, describing it as “a positive and important step toward achieving stability in the region.” The PKK’s presence in Iraq has long been a source of tension between Baghdad and Ankara, with Turkey frequently conducting airstrikes and military operations against PKK strongholds.
Meanwhile, European officials have cautiously endorsed the move. Nacho Sánchez Amor, a Spanish socialist lawmaker and the European Parliament’s lead member on Turkey relations, described Öcalan’s appeal as a “historic step,” urging both sides to capitalize on the opportunity for a long-term resolution. However, Turkey has demanded that affiliated Kurdish groups in Iraq and Syria also disarm, complicating the broader regional dynamics.
Challenges to Lasting Peace
Despite the ceasefire declaration, significant obstacles remain. The PKK’s reluctance to immediately dissolve, citing the need for Öcalan’s direct involvement, raises concerns about the feasibility of complete disarmament. Turkey’s insistence that Kurdish groups in neighboring countries also follow suit further complicates negotiations.
Moreover, Erdoğan’s government has historically used peace talks as a political tool, particularly ahead of elections. The intensification of crackdowns on Kurdish political figures suggests that while Turkey is open to negotiations, it remains committed to controlling Kurdish political movements through legal and security measures.
The next steps in this process will be crucial in determining whether this ceasefire can finally bring an end to one of the most protracted insurgencies in modern history or if it will dissolve into another failed peace attempt.