The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced a ceasefire against Turkey, effective immediately, according to Hurriyet. The PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in armed conflict against Turkey since 1984 in pursuit of autonomy for Kurds living in the country.
On February 27, Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, called on his supporters to disarm and halt hostilities. He also urged the Turkish government to “respect ethnic minorities and their right to free expression and democratic self-organization.”
According to The New York Times, the disarmament of the PKK could be a major political victory for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Ending the PKK’s armed struggle would eliminate a key domestic security threat and improve Erdoğan’s chances of pushing forward constitutional reforms that could allow him to run for a third term as president.
Previously, Erdoğan stated that Turkey needs a new constitution to replace the one enacted after the 1980 military coup, emphasizing that it should be inclusive and liberal.
Hande Fırat, a journalist close to the Turkish government, reported that new mechanisms will be introduced to ensure a successful disarmament process and guarantee real de-escalation.
The PKK has been fighting against the Turkish state since 1984 and is recognized as a terrorist organization by Ankara and its Western allies. The Kurdish insurgency in Turkey has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The Kurdish population in Turkey is estimated to be around 15 million.
Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of the PKK, has been imprisoned on İmralı Island in the Sea of Marmara since 1999.
