Kurdish man wearing a mask flashes the v-sign as he holds up a flag with a picture of the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in Turkey. (Photo by Ulas Tosun/Getty Images)
(EPICSTORIAN) — Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has called on his followers to lay down their arms and dissolve the organization.
His statement, read by Turkish lawmakers, could mark a turning point in a conflict that has lasted nearly 50 years and claimed over 40,000 lives.
“I take on the historical responsibility of this call,” Ocalan declared. “All groups must lay their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.” He referenced a long history of Turkish-Kurdish cooperation, describing it as fractured over the past two centuries.
The PKK emerged in 1978, advocating for an independent Kurdish state before shifting toward demands for greater autonomy within Turkey.
Designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, the group has been locked in conflict with Turkish forces for decades.
Ocalan’s statement follows recent discussions in Turkey’s political circles. Devlet Bahceli, a nationalist leader aligned with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, recently suggested Ocalan be allowed to formally declare an end to the armed struggle.
A similar call from Ocalan in 2013 led to a ceasefire, though peace efforts collapsed two years later.
Military pressure on the PKK has intensified in recent years. Berkay Mandiraci, a Turkey analyst at the International Crisis Group, described the conflict as shifting in Turkey’s favor.
“Ankara is keeping up military pressure while engaging in political maneuvering,” he noted. “The message seems to be: lay down arms unconditionally or face the consequences.”
Regional implications of Ocalan’s call remain uncertain. The PKK-affiliated People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria continue to operate, while Turkey-backed militants engage in ongoing battles. SDF commander Mazloum Abdi clarified that Ocalan’s appeal applied to PKK fighters, not Kurdish forces in Syria.
Statements from Kurdish groups in Syria and Iraq suggest broader discussions could emerge. A YPG spokesperson described Ocalan’s message as “historic,” emphasizing its potential impact on the region’s unresolved conflicts.
Decades of violence have shaped Kurdish-Turkish relations. Ocalan, captured in 1999 and held in an isolated Turkish prison, has had limited contact with the outside world. Recent visits by delegations indicate renewed interest in engaging with his influence.
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The extent to which Turkey’s government will respond remains unclear. Kurdish groups have historically faced political restrictions, with crackdowns on pro-Kurdish parties intensifying in recent years.
