Turkey Vows to Continue Ground Operations Despite PKK’s Announced Dissolution
By Kardo Roj
ANKARA, Turkey (North Press) – Turkey’s Ministry of Defense announced Thursday that it will continue ground operations targeting alleged positions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), despite the group’s recent declaration of dissolution.
On Monday, the PKK formally announced its decision to dissolve after more than four decades of armed struggle against the Turkish state—a conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives. The announcement, which marks a historic turning point in one of the region’s most protracted conflicts, has yet to result in a change in Turkish military posture.
A spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that “operations will persist in regions previously used by the separatists of the PKK organization with determination, until it is ensured the area no longer poses a threat to Turkey.” The statement added that these operations would include land surveys, mine and IED clearance, and the destruction of hideouts and tunnels.
A defense official, speaking to Turkish media on condition of anonymity, indicated that the PKK’s dissolution announcement has not altered Ankara’s military plans. “Nothing has changed,” the source said. “Although the organization has declared its disbandment, we must remain vigilant against potential provocations from elements within the PKK who may not accept the decision.”
The official noted that if the dissolution is implemented “in a concrete manner,” Turkish forces could shift from active combat to containment strategies aimed at preventing other groups from taking advantage of the power vacuum in previously contested areas.
Implications for Northeast Syria
While the PKK is primarily active in Turkey and northern Iraq, Ankara’s operations have frequently extended into northeastern Syria, where Turkish military actions have previously targeted areas controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkey often conflates the SDF with the PKK despite the U.S. and international partners recognizing the SDF as a separate entity and a key ally in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS).
The SDF, in partnership with the U.S.-led Global Coalition, remains a crucial force in maintaining security and counterterrorism operations in regions administered by the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The persistence of Turkish military activities in or near these regions has raised concerns over potential destabilization and the disruption of local governance and humanitarian efforts.
Although Ankara’s latest statement did not explicitly reference operations in Syria, the Turkish military has in the past justified cross-border actions under the banner of “national security,” sometimes affecting civilian populations and displacing communities in areas administered by AANES.
The Turkish government’s continued military posture, even after the PKK’s announcement, reflects broader regional security concerns and internal political dynamics ahead of upcoming elections in Turkey.
International observers are closely monitoring the situation. Any escalation in Turkish ground operations—particularly if they cross into Syrian territory—could further complicate an already fragile security environment in the northeast, where ISIS sleeper cells remain active and humanitarian needs persist.
As the political and security landscape evolves, the role of the SDF and AANES remains central to efforts aimed at ensuring stability, preventing extremist resurgence, and navigating complex geopolitical shifts.