• Ceasefire
• PKK
• Turkey

KURDISTAN PEOPLE’S PARTY ANNOUNCES PLAN TO DISARM AND END INSURGENCY AGAINST TURKEY

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  CapitalTimesNews / 1 week
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• 2 min read

The Kurdistan People’s Party (PKK) has declared its intention to disarm, disband, and end its decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state. This historic decision was made during the party’s 12th session in Northern Iraq, where the group has maintained a strong military presence. The PKK, founded by jailed leader Abdullah Öcalan, has been waging a war for Kurdistan autonomy and independence since 1978. However, after 41 years of violent struggle that resulted in thousands of deaths on both sides, the party has decided to lay down its arms. According to sources, Öcalan’s call for a party congress to end the conflict earlier this year paved the way for this decision. His letter, read during Nowruz celebrations in Diyarbakır on March 21, 2013, previously called for an end to armed struggle, and it seems his efforts have finally borne fruit. The decision is seen as a major breakthrough in the conflict that has strained Turkey’s relations with Iraq and the United States. Both countries, along with the European Union, have classified the PKK as a terrorist organization. Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz welcomed the development, stating, “A new phase has been entered towards the goal of a terror-free Turkey. We hope that this opportunity will be seized, this effort will be concluded quickly and successfully.” While the PKK’s executive committee has declared an immediate ceasefire, the group has not specified a timeline for disarming and disbanding. Analysts believe that if the ceasefire holds, it could have far-reaching implications beyond Turkey’s borders. The Syrian Democratic Forces, which Turkey views as linked to the PKK, has welcomed the ceasefire but clarified that it doesn’t apply to them. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: this announcement marks a significant shift in the decades-long conflict between the PKK and Turkey. With Öcalan’s influence and the PKK’s willingness to disarm, there’s hope for a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish question in Turkey.