In a significant development that could mark the end of a decades-long insurgency, Abdullah Öcalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has urged his followers to lay down their arms and dissolve the militant group. The conflict between the PKK and Turkey, which has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives since the 1980s, could see a historic turning point if the call is heeded.
Öcalan, who is serving a life sentence in a Turkish prison, issued the statement on Thursday through Turkish lawmakers. “I am making a call for the laying down of arms, and I take on the historical responsibility of this call,” he said. “All groups must lay their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.”
The PKK leader emphasized the need to rebuild the historically fragile relationship between Turks and Kurds, which he described as having been rooted in cooperation and alliance for over a millennium before deteriorating in the past two centuries. “Today, the main task is to restructure the historical relationship, which has become extremely fragile,” he added.
A Decades-Long Struggle for Autonomy
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has waged a bloody insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984. Initially seeking an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey, the group has shifted its demands in recent years to greater autonomy within the country.
Öcalan’s latest appeal echoes a similar call he made in 2013, which led to a brief ceasefire and peace talks. However, the process collapsed in 2015, reigniting hostilities and plunging the region back into violence. The 75-year-old leader, captured by Turkish forces in Kenya in 1999, has since been imprisoned on İmralı Island, south of Istanbul.
Regional Implications and Challenges
The PKK’s influence extends beyond Turkey, particularly in Syria, where its affiliate, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), has played a key role in the fight against ISIS and now controls large parts of northeastern Syria. Öcalan’s statement could further complicate the SDF’s position, as it faces ongoing clashes with Turkish-backed militias and frequent airstrikes by Turkish forces.
The PKK is also engaged in talks with Syria’s new authorities following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad, negotiating its role in the region’s future and a potential nationwide military force. Öcalan’s call for disarmament may intensify pressure on the SDF, potentially isolating it further in the complex geopolitical landscape of the region.
While the announcement raises hopes for a lasting resolution to one of the world’s longest-running conflicts, skepticism remains high given the failure of past peace efforts. Whether Öcalan’s latest appeal will lead to a tangible shift in the PKK’s strategy, or be met with resistance from within the group, remains to be seen.