Kurdish PKK leader calls for abandoning armed struggle after 40-year conflict with Türkiye

BeirutThe founder and imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, has called for an end to armed struggle and a move towards the dissolution of the organisation. This move marks a milestone in the long and contentious confrontation between the Kurdish militia and the Turkish state. After more than four decades of struggle, this message, relayed on Tuesday, could drastically change the course of the relationship between the PKK and Turkey, as well as the dynamics in the Kurdish region and in Turkey's international relations.

The figure of Abdullah Öcalan, who has been synonymous with Kurdish resistance, has always been central to the PKK. His imprisonment in 1999 by Turkey was a turning point in the conflict, but it never weakened his influence over his followers. Indeed, his figure has remained a beacon for PKK operations, especially in Syria and Iraq. However, in an unexpected turn, Öcalan urged the organization to consider the option of ending the armed struggle and laying the foundations for a peace that until now seemed impossible.

This message is not an isolated gesture. The current geopolitical context has fostered an environment in which even the most intransigent actors are reconsidering their positions. In particular, Turkey's relations with its neighbors have changed. recent rapprochement with Syrian authorities and Iraqis has reduced the space in which the PKK can operate. Policies of cooperation between Turkey and these two countries, previously seen as allies of the PKK, have weakened the armed organisation's chances of survival.

Independence ambitions

The PKK, which emerged in the 1970s with the aim of creating an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey, has faced a Turkish government that considers it a terrorist group. The armed conflict has left thousands dead and has marked Turkey's recent history. Continued repressions, military attacks and fierce Kurdish resistance have turned the region into an almost constant battleground.

In this context, Öcalan's call represents a paradigm shift for both the PKK and Turkey, which has faced attacks and failed peace processes. The last serious negotiation took place in 2013, when Erdogan's government started a dialogue with the PKK, but failed in 2015 with the resumption of clashes.

The call for demobilization has profound implications for the Kurdish region, as it marks not only a shift in the PKK's strategy, but also in the power relationship with the Turkish state. However, doubts about its viability remain. Turkey has reacted cautiously to PKK calls for peace in the past, and many analysts suggest that Erdogan's government may not be willing to back down on its national security policies.

Turkish President, Known for his tough stance on the PKK, has a history of rejecting negotiation proposals when it sees them as not being a clear win for its country. Turkey's acceptance will depend on several factors. First, the Turkish government will demand clear guarantees that the PKK will actually comply with disarmament and disbandment, something difficult to verify given the decentralized nature of the group. On the other hand, Kurdish fighters themselves may not be willing to hand over their weapons without getting something in return, such as greater autonomy or guarantees of rights for the Kurdish population inside Turkey.

Many challenges ahead

The international response will also be crucial. The PKK is not only involved in conflicts within Turkey, but also in northern Syria, where it maintains close relations with the People's Protection Units (YPG), a US-backed Kurdish group in the fight against the Islamic State. Any peace agreement between the PKK and Turkey would have to take into account the broader regional picture, and the influence of external actors such as the United States, Russia and Iran will play a key role.

The looming peace process, though still uncertain, could be a long and complicated road. The PKK now faces the challenge of convincing its followers, many of whom are deeply rooted in the armed resistance, that peace is a viable option. For its part, Turkey will have to show a genuine willingness to negotiate with an organisation that has for years been its main internal enemy.