President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, expressed on Monday that the decision for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disband was an important step “for maintaining peace and brotherhood” and emphasized that Ankara will closely monitor this process to avoid any issues.
The PKK, which has been in conflict with the Turkish state for over four decades, has decided to disband and end its armed insurgency. The PKK’s decision is expected to have far-reaching political and security implications for the region, including Syria, where Kurdish forces are allies of U.S. troops.
Speaking after the cabinet meeting in Ankara, Erdogan stated that a new era would begin once the PKK surrenders its weapons, calling it a significant step toward Turkey’s goal of a country free from terrorism.
He also added that Turkey sees this step as part of a broader process involving Kurdish militants in Iraq, Syria, and Europe.
The PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, began its insurgency in 1984 with the initial aim of creating an independent Kurdish state. In recent years, its demands have shifted toward greater autonomy and rights for Kurds within Turkey.
More than 40,000 people have been killed during the conflict since the PKK started its insurgency in 1984.
Turkey and its Western allies have declared the PKK a terrorist organization.
The PKK stated that the practical process of disbandment and disarmament would be managed and supervised by Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999.
Wladimir van Wilgenburg, a political analyst specializing in Kurdish issues, told Radio Free Europe that the Kurdish community in Turkey is “tired of the conflict and hoping for peace.” However, he added that Kurds are unsure if they can trust the Turkish government and are questioning whether Ankara will take steps toward reconciliation, such as releasing Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtash and recognizing Kurdish rights.
“They are somewhat distrustful and uncertain about what may happen,” said van Wilgenburg.
According to the congress’s statement, the PKK’s struggle “has brought the Kurdish issue to the point of resolution through democratic politics, fulfilling its historical mission.”
The group did not provide further details on exactly what this means, but van Wilgenburg said it is unlikely that PKK commanders will be involved in Turkish politics since there is already an active pro-Kurdish party in Turkey – the People’s Democratic Party (HDP).
“It is most likely that they mean that from now on, Kurdish politics will develop through legal politics and the Turkish Parliament, not through guerrilla warfare,” said Wladimir van Wilgenburg.
