In a development that has raised a spectrum of reactions across southeast Turkey and northern Iraq, a ceasefire declaration by Kurdish militants was announced on Saturday, potentially signaling a pivotal moment in the long-running conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The announcement follows a plea from the PKK’s jailed leader for the group to disarm, posing a possible advantage for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration. However, skepticism remains rife among the local populace who are intimately familiar with the consequences of this decades-old strife.
In Diyarbakir, a major city in Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish southeast, the announcement was met with mixed feelings. Residents like Turkan Duman, who have lost family members to the conflict, remain cautious about being hopeful. Duman recounted her disappointment from past peace pledges that unraveled, highlighting her son’s current imprisonment for association with the PKK after he fought against the Islamic State group in Kobani. She also mourns the loss of two brothers in the conflict, revealing a deep personal toll and pervasive distrust towards historical promises of peace.
Another voice echoing these concerns is Kiymet Soresoglu, a member of the Peace Mothers’ Association. Despite the longing for peace, she expressed fear and distrust toward the intentions behind the ceasefire, especially given her son’s incarceration linked to the PKK. Her skepticism is fueled by the remembrance of past ceasefires that collapsed violently, reflecting the enduring scars left by the conflict.
The PKK’s insurgency, which began in 1984, has claimed numerous lives over the years. Though exact figures vary, reports indicate significant casualties since 2015 alone, affecting civilians, security forces, and militants alike. This latest ceasefire follows a call to disarm by Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK’s imprisoned leader, an indicator of potential shifts within the organization. Law lecturer Vahap Coskun from Diyarbakir’s Dicle University noted the significant implications of this threshold being crossed and anticipates swift organizational changes within the PKK.
Across the border in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, which is near the PKK’s Qandil mountain base, the ceasefire has generated hopeful anticipation. Kurds in the region, familiar with the group’s historical maneuvers, view the current moment as potentially transformative compared to previous negotiations. However, some remain cautious, pondering the extent of influence Ocalan’s imprisonment has on his decision-making.
These developments could signify a new chapter in the long-standing conflict, one marked by potential for peace but underscored by historical skepticism and the region’s challenging history. For many, the hope is that this ceasefire might endure beyond previous attempts, fostering a genuine and lasting peace that can heal long-standing wounds.
