PKK declares ceasefire following Öcalan’s call for disarmament
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced on Saturday a ceasefire in response to a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who urged the party to dissolve itself and convene a congress to formally lay down arms.
“A ceasefire is in effect as of today,” the PKK’s executive committee declared in a statement. “However, the process of disarmament can only be implemented under the direct leadership of Öcalan.”
The statement also emphasized that PKK forces would refrain from carrying out armed operations “unless attacked.”
The PKK leadership expressed its willingness to hold a party congress but stressed that “appropriate conditions must be established” for the initiative to succeed. The statement insisted that Öcalan himself must oversee the congress to ensure a successful outcome.
Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on İmralı Island in Turkey since 1999, issued his historic call on Feb. 27, urging the PKK leadership to disarm and disband the organization after four decades of armed struggle.
His statement was read in Istanbul by representatives of the Equality and Democracy of Peoples Party (DEM Party), a pro-Kurdish political group that has recently visited Öcalan multiple times in prison.
Öcalan’s declaration signals the beginning of a potential new peace process with Turkey. Turkish political leaders have welcomed the initiative, and observers are now anticipating concrete steps from both the PKK and the Turkish government to implement the peace process.