The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) revealed plans for its dissolution on Monday, marking a potentially historic turning point that could end a decades-old insurgency in the Middle East and usher in a new era of regional stability.
According to a statement from the PKK, the group intends to dismantle its “organizational structure” and abandon “armed struggle” after over forty years of conflict. This announcement follows the PKK’s leader, Abdullah Ocalan, previously urging the group to hold a congress and decide on disbandment as an element of peace negotiations with Turkey. Earlier, in response to Ocalan’s call, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire on March 1.
Ocalan’s initiative emerged amidst significant regional shifts, such as the rearrangement of power in Syria post the fall of President Bashar Assad, a weakened Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the continued conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
This move towards peace in Turkey began in October, spearheaded by Devlet Bahceli, a staunch ultranationalist historically opposed to any acknowledgment of Kurdish identity or rights.
Welcoming the PKK’s declaration, the Turkish government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized that this dissolution should extend to all affiliated groups, including Kurdish fighters in Syria who have previously dismissed Ocalan’s directive as irrelevant to them.
The PKK’s Background
The PKK has waged a campaign against Turkey since 1984, initially seeking to create a Kurdish state in the southeastern region of the country. It has transitioned over time into advocating for Kurdish autonomy and rights within Turkey. The protracted conflict, which has swept into neighboring Iraq and Syria, has claimed thousands of lives. The PKK is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Abdullah Ocalan’s Influence
Abdullah Ocalan, a Marxist-leaning political science student activist in Ankara, founded the PKK in 1978. He sought refuge in Syria in 1979, remaining there until Syria expelled him in 1998 under Turkish pressure. Ocalan was captured in Kenya in 1999 and is currently imprisoned on Imrali Island in Turkey. Initially sentenced to death for treason, his sentence was commuted to life in prison following Turkey’s abolition of the death penalty. At 76, Ocalan continues to represent Kurdish aspirations, with his communications often resonating into regions like Iraq and Syria.
Renewed Peace Endeavors
In October, Bahceli, a close Erdogan ally, suggested the possibility of parole for Ocalan if he ceased violence and dissolved the PKK. This marked a significant departure for Bahceli, previously a firm proponent of military action against the PKK and its Syrian affiliates. Through the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), Ocalan reiterated his proposal for the PKK to disband and disarm in February.
Uncertain Concessions and Potential Splinters
It remains unclear what Kurdish groups might receive in exchange, and concerns linger about possible splinter factions within the PKK continuing attacks. Shortly after Bahceli’s declaration, the PKK claimed responsibility for an attack on an important Turkish aerospace company, highlighting the potential volatility of the situation.
Previous Peace Attempts
Past efforts for peace between Turkey and the PKK spanned secretive discussions in Oslo from 2009 to 2011, yielding no tangible results. The most recent attempt between 2013 and 2015 included negotiations involving Turkish officials and Ocalan, leading to a declared ceasefire and withdrawal of combatants to bases in Northern Iraq. Although some progress in Kurdish rights was achieved, the initiative faltered in July 2015 following violent incidents, including an ISIS attack on pro-Kurdish activists.
Since then, the Turkish government has intensified its actions against the pro-Kurdish movement, resulting in mass imprisonments, including Selahattin Demirtas, a prominent pro-Kurdish political leader charged with PKK affiliations.
Current Motivations
This latest push for peace arises amid mutual quests by Turkey and Kurdish groups for enhanced security facing Middle Eastern challenges. Observers speculate that Erdogan’s administration aims to secure Kurdish backing for a revised constitution, potentially extending Erdogan’s leadership past 2028. Bahceli has also advocated for such a constitutional overhaul, viewing Erdogan’s prolonged leadership as crucial for Turkey’s future, with active pursuits for legislative support from the DEM.