Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has urged his group to disarm in a new effort to resolve the long-standing conflict with Turkey. In a message sent from his prison on an island near Istanbul, Ocalan called for the PKK to hold a congress and officially agree to disband.
Ocalan’s appeal came during a visit from pro-Kurdish politicians, where he stated that members should "lay down their arms" and that the PKK "must dissolve itself." This call for disarmament is part of a renewed peace initiative aimed at ending decades of violence between the PKK and the Turkish government.
The peace efforts began in October, led by Devlet Bahceli, an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As part of these talks, there is a possibility that Ocalan could be granted parole if the PKK renounces violence and disbands. Despite being incarcerated since 1999 for treason, Ocalan still holds significant influence over the PKK.
The PKK was founded by Ocalan in 1978 and has been involved in an armed struggle against the Turkish state since 1984, seeking greater rights for the Kurdish population. The group is considered a terrorist organization by Turkey and its allies. Previous attempts at peace have failed, and tensions remain high, especially as Erdogan’s government has intensified crackdowns on dissent, including the arrest of journalists and political opponents.
Ocalan’s latest message represents a critical moment in the ongoing peace process, as both sides seek a way to move forward after years of conflict.