The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced a ceasefire in its 40-year conflict with Turkey, following a call from its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan to disarm and end the decades-long bloodshed. The group’s executive committee declared the ceasefire effective immediately, stating it would not take armed action unless attacked.
Ocalan, who has been held in near-total isolation since 1999, made a historic appeal for the party to lay down its arms and dissolve itself. The PKK hopes that Turkey will release Ocalan so he can lead the disarmament process.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed Ocalan’s call, describing it as a “historic opportunity” for peace. However, he warned that Turkey would remain vigilant and continue military operations if necessary to eliminate terrorist groups.
The PKK’s declaration is seen as a major step towards ending the conflict with Turkey. The group has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU, and has waged an armed uprising since 1984 with the aim of carving out a homeland for Kurds.
Ocalan, 75, continues to wield significant influence over the PKK despite being imprisoned on the island of Imrali. The group is ready to convene a congress as Ocalan wants, but only if a secure environment is created and he can personally direct and lead it.
Iraq has welcomed Ocalan’s call, saying it is a “positive and important step towards achieving stability in the region.” However, Turkey’s neighbor remains concerned about the PKK’s presence in northern Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/1/pkk-declares-ceasefire-in-40-year-conflict-with-turkiye-kurdish-media