Quick Read
- Abdullah Öcalan renews his call for PKK disarmament, marking a historic shift.
- A symbolic disarmament ceremony begins in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, on July 11, 2025.
- The PKK has formally disbanded, following Öcalan’s February appeal.
- Turkey’s ruling AK Party emphasizes the importance of completing disarmament within five months.
- This initiative could lead to broader democratic reforms in Turkey.
The decades-long conflict between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish state appears to be entering a transformative phase. On July 10, 2025, Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned founder of the PKK, reiterated his call for the group to disarm, emphasizing the need for political and social peace over armed struggle. This historic appeal coincides with a symbolic disarmament ceremony scheduled in Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq, marking the first tangible step in a peace process that could reshape the region.
The Context: A Conflict Rooted in History
The PKK’s insurgency, which began in 1984, has claimed over 40,000 lives and deeply strained Turkey’s political and economic fabric. Initially aimed at creating an independent Kurdish state, the group later shifted its focus to securing greater autonomy and rights for Turkey’s Kurdish minority, which constitutes about 20% of the population. Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on Imrali Island since 1999, has long been a polarizing figure, designated as a terrorist by Turkey, the US, and the EU. However, his recent statements signal a shift in strategy. In a video message dated June 19, 2025, Öcalan declared that the PKK’s “national liberation war strategy has come to an end.”
According to The National, Öcalan’s announcement aligns with his earlier calls for the PKK to dissolve, a move formalized in May 2025. His message was hailed by Dr. Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, as a “courageous decision” that could pave the way for regional stability.
Disarmament in Action
The disarmament process is set to begin on July 11, 2025, in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, under the supervision of Turkish intelligence and armed forces. Omer Celik, a spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling AK Party, emphasized the importance of completing the process within three to five months to avoid potential provocations. Speaking to broadcaster NTV, Celik noted, “If it exceeds this period, it will become vulnerable to provocations.” The symbolic ceremony will see 20 to 30 PKK fighters lay down their arms, a gesture described by Aysegul Dogan of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish People’s Democracy and Equality Party (DEM) as a “significant step toward peace.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also expressed optimism about the initiative, stating, “The winners of this process will be the whole of Turkey — Turks, Kurds, and Arabs.” Erdogan’s comments underscore the broader implications of the disarmament effort, which aims to dismantle one of the region’s most entrenched conflicts.
A Broader Regional Shift
Öcalan’s call for peace resonates beyond Turkey’s borders, reflecting a broader Kurdish push for recognition and stability in West Asia. As highlighted by Observer Research Foundation, the Kurdish struggle for autonomy dates back to the aftermath of World War I, when the Sykes-Picot Agreement and subsequent treaties denied them official status and partitioned their homeland among Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. Despite a century of systemic denial and persecution, the Kurds have emerged as key players in the region, particularly through their role in defeating ISIS in Syria and Iraq.
In February 2025, Öcalan laid the groundwork for the current peace initiative by calling on the PKK to disband and urging the Turkish state to implement democratic reforms. His appeal coincided with a memorandum of understanding signed by Kurdish commander Mazloum Abdi and the Syrian interim government, further emphasizing the Kurds’ commitment to a democratic and inclusive regional order.
While the disarmament process represents a significant milestone, challenges remain. The PKK’s transition from armed struggle to political engagement will require robust mechanisms to ensure accountability and public trust. Öcalan has called for the establishment of a parliamentary commission to oversee the process, a proposal that has garnered mixed reactions within Turkey’s political landscape.
Moreover, the success of this initiative depends on broader democratic reforms within Turkey. Discussions are already underway about a new constitution, the release of political prisoners, and an end to military campaigns against the Kurds. As SOFX reported, Öcalan emphasized the need for a legislative framework to address Kurdish grievances and foster national unity.
The symbolic disarmament ceremony in Sulaymaniyah marks not just the end of an era but the beginning of a new chapter in Kurdish-Turkish relations. If successful, this peace process could serve as a model for resolving other long-standing conflicts in the region, offering a glimmer of hope in a landscape often overshadowed by violence and instability.