Ocalan to urge PKK to disarm this week, say sources

According to Middle East Eye, two well-informed Turkish officials revealed that the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, is expected to call on the organization he founded to lay down its arms this week. If realized, this statement would mark a turning point in the decades-long conflict between the PKK and Turkey, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people in the past 40 years. Such a call could usher in a new era of stability.

Ankara, the European Union, and the United States have all designated the PKK as a terrorist organization due to its attacks on civilians. Negotiations between Öcalan and the Turkish government began last year and were publicly initiated by Devlet Bahçeli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In October, Bahçeli invited Öcalan to address parliament and formally call for the dissolution of the PKK, potentially opening the door for legal proceedings that could allow for his release under the "right to hope" principle. This represents a significant shift in Turkish politics.

Many insiders in Ankara believe that the government's motivation for negotiating with Öcalan is linked to escalating regional tensions between Israel and Iran. Turkish officials are reportedly concerned that the Kurdish issue could become a vulnerability and believe that resolving it is key to stabilizing Turkey and the wider region. As part of the discussions, insiders say, an understanding could be reached with Syrian Kurdish groups linked to the PKK, such as the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which has been a crucial partner for Washington in the fight against ISIS. This would address a major security concern.

Following Öcalan's anticipated call, the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party formed a liaison group called the "Imrali Delegation," which has visited Öcalan twice and conveyed his messages to Turkish political parties and Kurdish political groups in Iraq. The delegation submitted a request for a third visit on Wednesday. Öcalan has been imprisoned on İmralı Island in the Sea of Marmara since 1999. PKK leaders have repeatedly stated that they will heed Öcalan's messages and act accordingly. The delegation hopes to foster further dialogue.

Nevertheless, concerns have been expressed about the clarity of his statement, as Öcalan is known for issuing lengthy, obscure messages that can have multiple interpretations. Two Turkish officials said that his statement could be released via video, although Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç had previously ruled out the possibility of a visual address. A Turkish source familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye that Ankara largely expects the PKK to comply with Öcalan's call, although some factions may resist. "Those who refuse to comply will be hit with the full force of the army and the law," the source said. This highlights the potential for both progress and conflict.

Evkan Ala, deputy chairman of Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), stated: "We hope that Öcalan urges the PKK to lay down its arms. This will be a crucial test of the PKK's commitment to the peace process." Erdoğan has largely remained in the background throughout the process, allowing Bahçeli to bear the political risk. However, he has frequently issued statements indicating his involvement in the talks. At the same time, the Turkish government has intensified its crackdown on pro-Kurdish politicians and civil society leaders in recent months, raising concerns about the sincerity of its own peace efforts. These actions cast a shadow over the negotiations.

A Turkish official stated: "The government doesn't want to appear weak in front of the PKK. Its aim is to show that, while pursuing peace, it will continue to prosecute those who break the law." Officials also stated that a key component of any solution would involve the SDF and its leader, Mazloum Abdi, expelling PKK cadres from its ranks and integrating with a new Syrian government and its army in [Damascus](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/syria-turkey-erdogan-assad-meeting-moscow). In a recent statement, the SDF recognized Ahmed Chalabi as the president of Syria but insisted on joining the new army as a unified whole, rather than as individual officers. According to sources, Damascus has proposed that the SDF's political wing become a national political party and that local municipalities be strengthened to ensure Kurdish rights. The integration process remains complex and uncertain.