PKK Set to Disband Following Leader’s Historic Call

ANKARA, Turkey — The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) is expected to announce the end of its armed struggle against Turkey and disband itself as early as Friday, according to sources familiar with the matter. This decision follows a significant call from the group’s jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, who urged the organization he founded more than 40 years ago to lay down its arms.

During a recent congress held from May 5 to 7 in the Qandil Mountains of Iraq, the PKK reportedly discussed Ocalan’s message. The group stated that it would soon share substantial documents and information confirming its decision, which it describes as being of historical importance.

In a February statement, Ocalan characterized the armed struggle as outdated, arguing that it was initially justified due to Turkish state policies that suppressed Kurdish cultural identity. He noted, “All groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.” Ocalan’s comments were widely interpreted as inclusive of the PKK’s various affiliates and offshoots throughout Turkey and Iraq.

The movement towards disarmament comes in the wake of apparent shifts in Turkish government policies toward Kurdish rights and ongoing negotiations between Ocalan and Turkish officials. Since March, the PKK had publicly declared a ceasefire, in line with Ocalan’s directive.

Additionally, analysts suggest that Turkey’s military successes against the PKK, especially in Iraq, have played a role in this transformative decision. The Turkish military has effectively used advanced technology to limit PKK movements in the region, leading to increased pressure on the group.

How the PKK will manage the disarmament process remains uncertain. Some reports indicate that the Iraqi government may assist in the collection and registration of weapons, potentially in cooperation with neighboring states.

The PKK’s potential disbanding marks a potentially significant turning point in Turkey’s long-standing conflict with Kurdish groups, with implications likely extending into neighboring Iraq and its Kurdish autonomous region.

As the announcement approaches, political representatives from various Kurdish parties, including the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, have expressed optimism about the prospects of peace and integration.