ANKARA, Turkey (AP) 鈥 The Kurdish militant group PKK announced Monday that it is disbanding and renouncing armed conflict as part of a new peace initiative with Turkey, ending four decades of hostilities.
The decision by the PKK, or Kurdistan Workers鈥 Party, promises to end one of the longest insurgencies in the Middle East and could have significant impact in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. It was announced by the Firat News Agency, a media outlet close to the group, days after the PKK convened in northern Iraq.
In February, PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999, urged his group to convene a congress and formally decide to disband and disarm.
The call by Ocalan, 76, who continues to wields significant influence in the Kurdish movement despite his 25-year imprisonment, marked a pivotal step toward ending the decades-long conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s.
Building on the momentum, the PKK announced but attached conditions, including the creation of a legal framework for peace negotiations.
The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has spilled over into northern Iraq and northern Syria, with Turkey carrying out numerous incursions into the neighboring regions. The PKK is listed as a terror group by Turkey and its Western allies.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the PKK鈥檚 latest announcement, saying it would lead to stronger security and regional peace.
鈥淲e have crossed another critical threshold in the process toward a terror-free Turkey,鈥 he said.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the PKK announcement, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. 鈥淭his decision, if implemented, represents another important step towards the peaceful resolution of a long-standing conflict.鈥
PKK says group has completed its 鈥榟istorical mission鈥
In a statement carried by Firat, the PKK announced its decision to end its 鈥渙rganizational structure” and suggested that its armed struggle has successfully challenged policies that sought to suppress Kurdish rights.
The congress assessed that the PKK鈥檚 struggle had 鈥渂rought the Kurdish issue to the point of resolution through democratic politics, thus completing its historical mission,鈥 according to the statement.
“As a result, activities carried out under the name 鈥楶KK鈥 were formally terminated,鈥 the statement said.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the decision as 鈥渉istoric,鈥 but said the government would closely monitor the steps the group takes.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the peace agreement “will also contribute to the stability of the region.鈥
Turkey says decision should apply to all PKK affiliates
Erdogan said the declaration should apply to all PKK-affiliated groups: 鈥淲e consider this announcement to encompass all of the organization鈥檚 branches, including those in northern Iraq, Syria and Europe.”
Kurdish fighters in Syria have ties to the PKK and have been involved in intense fighting with Turkish-backed forces there. The leader of the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces previously said Ocalan鈥檚 call for a dissolution does not apply to his group in Syria. The group then reached an agreement with the central government in Damascus for a nationwide ceasefire and its merger into the Syrian army.
Details of the PKK’s peace initiative have not been made public. The future of its fighters remains uncertain, including whether they may be relocated to third countries.
Some analysts have suggested the Kurdish movement could potentially receive concessions including improvement in Ocalan’s prison conditions, release or amnesty for jailed Kurdish politicians 鈥 including Selahattin Demirtas, the former leader of the country’s pro-Kurdish party 鈥 and guarantees against the removal from office of Kurdish mayors.
Previous peace efforts between Turkey and the group 鈥 most recently in 2015 鈥 ended in failure.
Dozens of people gathered Monday outside a mosque in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, celebrating the announcement with a traditional dance.
鈥淭he people of this region are tired of this war,鈥 said resident Tekin Ergin. 鈥淭he PKK鈥檚 decision to disband is the right decision and a timely decision.鈥
Why is the peace initiative happening now?
In recent years, the PKK has been limited to isolated attacks inside Turkey as the Turkish military, backed by armed drones, has pushed its insurgents increasingly across the mountainous border into Iraq.
The latest peace initiative was launched in October by Erdogan鈥檚 coalition partner, , a far-right politician who suggested that Ocalan could be granted parole if his group renounces violence and disbands.
Some believe the main aim of the reconciliation effort is for Erdogan鈥檚 government to garner Kurdish support for a new constitution that would allow him to remain in power beyond 2028, when his term ends.
Bahceli has called for a new constitution, saying it is essential for Turkey鈥檚 future that Erdogan remain in power. Erdogan and Bahceli are reportedly seeking parliamentary support from the pro-Kurdish People鈥檚 Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM.
The PKK鈥檚 declaration could mark a major gain for Erdogan, whose government is grappling with political tensions following the arrest of Istanbul鈥檚 on corruption charges. Many see the imprisonment of the mayor, who is the opposition鈥檚 strongest challenger to Erdogan鈥檚 more than two-decade rule, as politically motivated. The government insists Turkey鈥檚 judiciary operates independently.
Sinan Ulgen, director of the Istanbul-based Edam think tank, cited both domestic and international drivers for the new peace initiative.
鈥淭he domestic driver can be explained by Erdogan鈥檚 aspiration to secure additional support in parliament in order to pave the path to his potential candidacy for the next round of presidential elections,鈥 Ulgen said.
Internationally, Ulgen said, factors such as the change of administration in Syria and Iran鈥檚 weakening after being targeted by Israel, had left the PKK 鈥渕ore vulnerable than in the past.鈥
Could the PKK splinter?
“This does not mean that the road is clear of all hurdles,鈥 Ulgen added, warning of possible splits within the PKK.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen this sort of dynamics around the world,鈥 Ulgen said. 鈥淲hether it is IRA or other entities that have decided to lay down arms, there is the prospect of a split, with one wing being in compliance with the objective, but the more radical wing continuing with the fight.鈥
Bahceli said he hoped 鈥渢he bloody chapter will be closed forever, never to be reopened.鈥
The politician called for careful consideration of the steps to follow, including the timing and method of arms collection, monitoring the possible transitions of PKK members into groups in Syria, distinguishing members involved in criminal activities from those who were not, and deciding the appropriate course action concerning the group鈥檚 leadership.
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Associated Press writers Cinar Kiper in Bodrum, Turkey, Mucahit Ceylan in Diyarbakir, Turkey, and Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
