The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a militant group that has fought Turkey for over 40 years, announced on Monday its decision to dissolve, potentially ending a conflict that has killed over 40,000 people.

The PKK’s statement, driven by imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, declared an end to “all activities” and the group’s armed struggle, emphasizing a shift to resolving the Kurdish issue through democratic politics.

The decision, described as historic, follows a March ceasefire and Ocalan’s call to disarm.

The PKK cited regional developments and the need to rebuild Turkish-Kurdish ties but did not clarify the fate of affiliates in Iraq, Syria, and Iran or the disarmament process.

The group urged President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government to join the “peace and democratic society process.”

Turkey’s presidency called the move a milestone in its “Terror-Free Turkey” campaign, vowing to ensure progress.

AK Party spokesperson Omer Celik said it could open a “new era” if fully implemented.

The conflict, rooted in the PKK’s push for Kurdish autonomy, has cost Turkey $300–450 billion economically.

The announcement follows political shifts, including a 2024 proposal by Erdogan’s ally Devlet Bahceli to involve Ocalan in peace talks.

However, challenges remain, including distrust from past failed peace efforts and Turkey’s crackdown on pro-Kurdish parties.

In Syria, the PKK-linked SDF denied the decision applies to them, complicating regional dynamics.

Kurds, Turkey’s largest minority at 15–20% of the population, expressed cautious optimism in Diyarbakir.

The international community, including the EU, welcomed the move. As one X post stated, “PKK’s dissolution is a historic step for peace in Turkey and the region.”

The success of this process hinges on disarmament logistics and political reconciliation.

A ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which held overnight into Sunday, followed accusations of “violations” by both nations just hours after the US-brokered deal was reached.

Days of cross-border military strikes had preceded the agreement, marking the worst confrontation between the two rivals in decades.

US President Donald Trump, in fresh comments on Sunday morning, praised the leaders of India and Pakistan for agreeing to the ceasefire, noting that millions of lives could have been lost without it.

Explosions were reported in Indian-administered Kashmir hours after the deal was announced, with both sides accusing each other of breaching the agreement.

The conflict began when India conducted strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in response to a deadly militant attack in Pahalgam last month, which Pakistan denies involvement in.

On Saturday, Trump announced the “full and immediate” ceasefire on his Truth Social Platform, stating it was brokered by the US.

Pakistan’s foreign minister confirmed the agreement, noting that “three dozen countries” were involved in the diplomatic efforts.

However, hours later, residents and BBC reporters in Srinagar and Jammu, major cities in Indian-administered Kashmir, reported hearing explosions and seeing flashes in the sky.

Indian Foreign Secretary Misri accused Pakistan of “repeated violations” of the ceasefire, stating that India’s armed forces would respond appropriately.

A spokesman for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to the deal, despite “violations being committed by India in some areas,” urging troops to “exercise restraint.”

Kashmir, claimed in full by both India and Pakistan but partially administered by each since the 1947 partition following independence from the UK, has been a longstanding flashpoint, sparking two wars between the nuclear-armed nations.

India’s external affairs minister, S Jaishankar, confirmed the ceasefire, stating that both nations had reached an understanding to stop firing and military action.

He emphasized India’s “firm and uncompromising stance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” adding that this policy would continue.

In a national address, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the ceasefire was reached “for the benefit of everybody.”

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that India and Pakistan had agreed to begin talks on a broad range of issues at a neutral site.

Rubio revealed that he and US Vice-President JD Vance had spent 48 hours engaging with senior officials, including Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Shehbaz Sharif.

In another Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump reiterated praise for the leaders of India and Pakistan for recognizing it was “time to stop the current aggression.”

He added, “I am proud that the USA was able to help you arrive at this historic and heroic decision.”

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed “all efforts to de-escalate the conflict.”

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer noted that the UK had been “engaged” in talks for “some days,” with Foreign Secretary David Lammy speaking to both sides.

“I’m pleased to see today that there’s a ceasefire,” Sir Keir said. “The task now is to make sure that that is enduring and is lasting.”

The recent escalation followed two weeks of tension after a militant attack on 22 April in Pahalgam, Indian-administered Kashmir, killed 26 tourists, including 25 Indians and one Nepali.

Survivors reported that the militants targeted Hindu men.

India’s defence ministry said its strikes this week were part of a “commitment” to hold those responsible for the attack “accountable.” Pakistan called the strikes “unprovoked.”

Pakistan reported that Indian air strikes and cross-border fire since Wednesday killed 36 people in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while India’s army reported at least 21 civilian deaths from Pakistani shelling.

Fighting intensified overnight on Friday, with both nations accusing each other of targeting airbases and other military sites.