In recent developments, Turkish security forces have reported the elimination of 26 Kurdish militants over the past week, according to a statement released on Thursday by the Turkish Defense Ministry. This occurred even as imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan called on the Kurdish militant group to disband and encouraged his fighters to declare a ceasefire.
The Defense Ministry’s statement detailed that the militants were neutralized during military operations in the northern regions of Iraq and Syria, although it did not delve into the precise circumstances surrounding the clashes. “Our Turkish Armed Forces will persist with operations and security measures to ensure our country’s safety and survival,” the ministry stated. It also emphasized their strong stance against terrorism, vowing relentless pursuit until all threats are eradicated.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, announced a ceasefire in its four-decade-long uprising against the Turkish state on Saturday. This move was in response to a disarmament appeal from Ocalan on February 27, marking a potential shift towards resolving the conflict. This initiative was part of a broader effort kicked off in October by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political ally, Devlet Bahceli, who leads Turkey’s nationalist party.
Ocalan has been incarcerated since 1999 on a prison island near Istanbul. He has called on the PKK to convene a congress to consider dissolving the organization. Furthermore, the PKK has requested Ocalan’s release from imprisonment so he can lead and oversee the proposed congress directly.
On another front, the head of the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces stated that Ocalan’s ceasefire request does not extend to their operations in Syria. Nonetheless, the Turkish government maintains that all Kurdish factions that it associates with the PKK, regardless of their geographical location in Turkey, Syria, or Iraq, need to cease their activities.
President Erdogan recently cautioned that Turkey remains vigilant, ready to respond should diplomatic efforts fail. He affirmed that Turkey’s military campaign would persist if deemed necessary.
Historically, the conflict between Turkey and the PKK has resulted in considerable casualties since its inception in 1984. The current ceasefire is seen as a hopeful indication, forming the first significant breakthrough since peace negotiations between the PKK and Ankara ceased in the summer of 2015. The Turkish government and its western allies classify the PKK as a terrorist organization.
