PKK announces disbandment and end of armed conflict with Turkey

Monday 12 May 2025 - 08:31

By: Zahouani Ilham

PKK announces disbandment and end of armed conflict with Turkey

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has announced its decision to disband and end its long-standing armed conflict with Turkey, marking a significant shift after more than four decades of struggle. This announcement was made by the Firat News Agency, which has close ties with the PKK.

The resolution, made during the 12th PKK Congress, marks the formal conclusion of its military operations. The group revealed that it would dissolve its organizational structure and abandon its method of armed resistance.

This decision aligns with the long-standing call of PKK's leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999. Öcalan, in a letter released earlier this year, urged the group’s militants to disarm and disband. Following this plea, the PKK's leadership agreed to pursue peace, announcing a ceasefire shortly thereafter.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan responded to the news, suggesting that the PKK's disbandment might be imminent. He emphasized that the government’s primary focus remains the eradication of terrorism, stating, “We are advancing with firm steps on the path to a terror-free Turkey.”

The PKK, classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union, has waged an insurgency since 1984, initially seeking to establish an independent Kurdish state. The conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives. Despite various peace attempts, including the recent call for an end to the violence, the road to reconciliation remains challenging.