The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced on Saturday a complete ceasefire and future disarmament. The announcement comes two days after the founder and imprisoned leader of the Kurdish militia, Abdullah Öcalan calls to abandon armed struggle and move towards dissolving the organisation. "To pave the way for the call of leader Apo (Ocalan's nickname) for peace and democratic society, we declare a ceasefire, effective as of today," said a statement from the PKK. "None of our forces will carry out armed actions unless we are attacked," added the text, released by the news agency linked to the organisation ANF.

The 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.