In a statement from İmrali Prison, Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has called for the group’s voluntary dissolution. His message, titled “Call for Peace and Democratic Society,” urges a shift from armed struggle to political engagement to resolve the Kurdish issue in Turkey. This unprecedented appeal has drawn mixed reactions, with the Turkish government, Kurdish politicians, and regional actors weighing its potential impact on Turkey’s internal stability and broader regional politics.
A Shift from Armed Struggle to Political Resolution
Ocalan began his message by reflecting on the PKK’s origins, stating that the group emerged in response to the suppression of Kurdish identity and basic freedoms. However, he acknowledged that changing political conditions have made armed struggle obsolete. He emphasized that democracy is the only viable path to resolving the Kurdish issue, arguing that it allows for self-expression, respect for identities, and true political representation.
He also pointed to the historical unity between Turks and Kurds, asserting that their cooperation was once essential for survival against external threats. According to Ocalan, capitalist modernity has worked over the past two centuries to divide this alliance through class-based and nationalist divisions. To counteract this, he advocates for a democratic society where diverse communities can coexist peacefully.
Ocalan’s shift from militancy to a political solution is not new, but this direct call for disbandment signals his firm commitment to ending armed resistance. He argues that nationalist proposals such as separate nation-states, federalism, or autonomy fail to address Kurdish aspirations effectively, reiterating that democracy is the only sustainable solution.
“The second century of the Republic can achieve and assure permanent and fraternal continuity only if it is crowned with democracy. There is no alternative to democracy in the pursuit and realization of a political system.”
This statement suggests that Ocalan envisions a future where Kurds attain their rights through democratic participation rather than armed conflict.
A Direct Call for Disarmament and Dissolution
The most significant part of Ocalan’s statement is his explicit call for the PKK to lay down its arms and dissolve. He referenced political calls from Turkish leaders, particularly Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as key factors shaping his decision.
“The call made by Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, along with the will expressed by Mr. President, and the positive responses from the other political parties towards the known call, has created an environment in which I am making a call for the laying down of arms, and I take on the historical responsibility of this call.”
Ocalan’s statement aligns with previous peace efforts, notably the failed 2013-2015 peace process between the Turkish government and the PKK. However, this time, he takes a more definitive stance, urging the PKK leadership to convene a congress and voluntarily dissolve itself:
“As in the case with any modern community and party whose existence has not been abolished by force, [the PKK] should voluntarily convene a congress and make a decision. All groups must lay down their arms, and the PKK must dissolve itself.”
This statement, if acted upon, could mark the end of a four-decade insurgency that has claimed over 40,000 lives. However, whether the PKK leadership, which operates from the Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq, will heed this call remains uncertain.
Political and Regional Implications
Ocalan’s call for disarmament comes amid renewed discussions on Kurdish political rights in Turkey. The pro-Kurdish opposition party, DEM, which has facilitated communication between Ocalan and Turkish authorities, has been advocating for increased Kurdish representation and cultural rights. However, the party has yet to issue an official stance on Ocalan’s latest message.
Based on Reuters, For President Erdogan, an end to the PKK insurgency would be a major political achievement. Erdogan has previously framed the conflict as an obstacle to Turkey’s vision of becoming a “great and powerful” nation. Ocalan’s call could also serve Erdogan’s political ambitions, as he seeks to extend his rule beyond 2028. Gaining Kurdish support, particularly from DEM, could help him push for constitutional amendments to prolong his presidency.
The statement also has implications beyond Turkey. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls northeastern Syria, has longstanding ties with the PKK. Ankara has demanded that the SDF sever these connections. If Ocalan’s call is heeded, it could lead to a restructuring of Kurdish forces in Syria, potentially reducing tensions between Turkey and the SDF.
Meanwhile, opposition to Ocalan’s statement is emerging from Turkish nationalist circles. Mehmet Guner, head of the Martyrs’ Families Association, expressed anger over the government’s willingness to entertain Ocalan’s calls.
“For 40 years, this country has fought against terrorism, sacrificing thousands of martyrs and veterans… We absolutely do not find it appropriate to negotiate with the leader of the terrorists in this manner.”
On the Kurdish side, skepticism remains. Many Kurds distrust the Turkish state due to previous peace process failures. Some analysts argue that Turkey must first offer guarantees of Kurdish political and cultural rights before disarmament can realistically take place.
Responses from Kurdish Leaders and Future Prospects
Ocalan’s call has elicited mixed reactions among Kurdish political leaders. Bafel Talabani, President of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), welcomed the statement and described it as a responsible and necessary step toward Kurdish unity and peaceful dialogue.
“We welcome Abdullah Ocalan’s statement. We think it is a responsible and necessary call at this stage to unite the Kurds and resolve issues through peaceful dialogue based on partnership and solidarity, paving the way for a brighter and more peaceful future for our people.”
Talabani reaffirmed the PUK’s commitment to supporting any initiative that fosters unity between Kurds and Turks, emphasizing that his late father, Mam Jalal Talabani, had laid the foundation for such efforts as early as 1993.
Despite these endorsements, there is no immediate response from the PKK leadership in the Qandil Mountains. Historically, PKK commanders have exercised autonomy in decision-making, sometimes diverging from Ocalan’s directives. If the PKK leadership rejects the call, the conflict could persist, deepening Kurdish divisions and prolonging instability.
If the PKK does agree to disarm, it could transform Kurdish politics in Turkey. The pro-Kurdish DEM party could gain more legitimacy in mainstream politics, potentially reversing years of crackdowns and legal challenges. In turn, Kurdish voters might shift from supporting insurgency-linked factions to engaging fully in Turkish democracy.
Internationally, the United States, which has backed the SDF in Syria while labeling the PKK as a terrorist organization, might view Ocalan’s statement as an opportunity to reset U.S.-Turkey relations. The removal of the PKK from Syria’s political landscape could facilitate closer cooperation between Ankara and Washington on counterterrorism, Syria’s reconstruction, and regional security.
A Defining Moment in Kurdish-Turkish Relations
Abdullah Ocalan’s latest call for the dissolution of the PKK marks a turning point in the decades-long Kurdish-Turkish conflict. If heeded, it could pave the way for peace, democratic reforms, and a new political order in Turkey’s Kurdish regions. However, the reaction from the PKK leadership remains uncertain, and deep-seated mistrust between Kurds and the Turkish government complicates the path forward.
As Kurdish and Turkish leaders weigh their responses, Ocalan’s message has set the stage for a critical period in Kurdish politics—one that could determine the future of the movement and its role in shaping Turkey’s democratic trajectory.
