ISTANBUL — After four decades of conflict, Kurdish insurgents have proclaimed a ceasefire in Turkey as of Saturday, following an appeal for disarmament by their incarcerated leader earlier in the week.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, known internationally as the PKK, issued a statement through the Firat News Agency, an outlet known for its close ties to the militant group. In their declaration, they commemorated Abdullah Ocalan, detained by Turkish authorities since 1999, and explained their decision. “We declare a ceasefire effective today to pave the way for the implementation of Leader Apo’s Call for Peace and Democratic Society,” the statement noted. The group further emphasized that their forces would refrain from any military actions unless provoked.
This insurgency has been an ongoing source of strife, resulting in the loss of tens of thousands of lives since the conflict’s inception in 1984. The ceasefire marks a potentially significant step towards ending decades of violence and fostering a peaceful and democratic resolution.
