PKK Announces Ceasefire with Turkey Following Leader’s Call for Peace

The PKK declared a ceasefire with Turkey following a call from imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan to disarm. The announcement was made through pro-PKK ANF news agency, and the group stated their forces would only engage if provoked. This marks a significant shift in an ongoing conflict that has lasted for decades, calling for Ocalan’s release to facilitate peace discussions amidst growing governmental pressure on Kurdish political representatives.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a designated terrorist group, announced a ceasefire with Turkey on March 1, 2025. This declaration followed a call from their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urging the group to disarm. The PKK has engaged in an armed insurgency since 1984, advocating for Kurdish autonomy within Turkey, where Kurds comprise about 20% of the population.

The ceasefire announcement was disseminated by the pro-PKK news agency ANF. The statement emphasized that the ceasefire aims to facilitate the realization of Ocalan’s peace initiative and that PKK forces will refrain from military actions unless provoked.

Ocalan, who has been incarcerated since 1999, is recognized as a pivotal figure in the conflict. His recent call for peace represents a notable shift after decades of violence, which has resulted in over 40,000 fatalities. The last peace negotiations between the PKK and the Turkish government collapsed in 2015, although recent discussions between Kurdish politicians and Ocalan have led to this new ceasefire.

The PKK views Ocalan’s call as the beginning of a significant historical process for Kurds, emphasizing the need for a conducive political environment for democratic change. They also insist on Ocalan’s release to lead a party congress that would disenfranchise armed militants.

This ceasefire comes amid intensified scrutiny of Turkey’s principal pro-Kurdish political party, which has faced government-imposed appointments of mayors in place of elected officials. Although President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed support for reconciliation, he has simultaneously heightened pressure on opposition members, leading to the arrests of numerous political figures, activists, and journalists.

The PKK’s announcement of a ceasefire represents a crucial step toward peace following decades of conflict. The leadership of Abdullah Ocalan is seen as vital for ongoing negotiations, and the demand for his release reflects the group’s commitment to democratic processes. However, the increasing pressure on pro-Kurdish politicians and activists in Turkey poses significant challenges to achieving lasting peace.

Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com