Kurdish PKK Announces Dissolution, Ending Decades of Conflict with Turkey

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.