{"id":125719,"date":"2025-05-15T16:18:45","date_gmt":"2025-05-15T16:18:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/?p=125719"},"modified":"2025-05-15T16:18:47","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T16:18:47","slug":"kurdish-pkk-dissolution-seen-as-relief-for-syria-and-the-middle-east","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npasyria.com\/en\/125719\/","title":{"rendered":"Kurdish PKK Dissolution Seen as Relief for Syria and the Middle East"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Nalin Ali and Fattah Issa <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

KOBANI, Syria (North Press)<\/strong> \u2013 The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced this week its decision to dissolve its organizational structure and renounce armed struggle, a move widely described as a “historic opportunity” to reduce regional tensions and open a new chapter in Kurdish, Syrian, and Middle Eastern politics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In its 12th congress, held from May 5\u20137, the PKK formally decided to disarm and terminate its militant operations after more than 40 years of conflict. The statement has prompted swift reactions across political spheres in Syria, Turkey, Iraq, and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is not just a decision for the Kurdish people\u2014it has regional impact,\u201d said Gulistan Ali<\/strong>, Deputy Co-Chair of Foreign Relations for the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), in an interview with North Press<\/em>.
\u201cIt could be the key to solving the Kurdish issue in all four parts of Kurdistan, and usher in peace across the region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ripple Effects in Syria and Beyond<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ali emphasized that the PKK\u2019s step reflects long-standing peace efforts initiated by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah \u00d6calan<\/strong>, which were repeatedly rejected by the Turkish state. She believes changing geopolitical dynamics, particularly Turkey\u2019s recalibration of its regional strategy, may create space for genuine dialogue this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTurkey will no longer have a valid pretext to attack our regions in northeast Syria,\u201d she added, pointing to Turkey\u2019s history of citing PKK activity to justify cross-border military interventions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Historic and Bold Decision<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Political analyst Abdul-ilah al-Mustafa<\/strong>, director of the Euphrates Center for Studies, called the move “historic, courageous, and bold,\u201d predicting that it will reshape local, regional, and international approaches to the Kurdish question.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt opens the door for Kurdish political engagement inside Turkey and strengthens parties like the Democratic Equality and Peoples Party (Dem Parti),\u201d he said.
\u201cFor Syria, it signals the possibility of institutional reform and perhaps even the foundation of a new political system.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mustafa also highlighted the recent agreement between Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and SDF Commander General Mazloum Abdi to integrate the SDF into the Syrian Army, describing it as a crucial step toward long-term stability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey\u2019s Role in Peacebuilding<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Omar Youssef<\/strong>, from the Kurdish Progressive Democratic Party in Syria, said the timing of the PKK’s dissolution corresponds with Turkey\u2019s urgent need to reposition itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe Kurdish issue long stood as an obstacle to democratization in Turkey,\u201d he said. \u201cNow, resolving it could benefit both Kurdish and Turkish societies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added that the PKK’s decision will enhance the Kurds\u2019 image internationally, noting that many countries hesitated to engage with Kurdish actors due to the PKK\u2019s designation as a terrorist organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damascus\u2013Ankara Dynamics and Kurdish Futures<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Esmat Ibrahim<\/strong>, political bureau member of the Kurdish Left Party in Syria, said the initiative places the responsibility on Turkey:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe ball is now in Turkey\u2019s court,\u201d he stated, noting Ankara\u2019s outsized influence on Syrian foreign affairs and recent signs of a diplomatic thaw, including an invitation extended by Turkey\u2019s foreign minister to his Syrian counterpart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Ibrahim, a successful peace process could lead to the return of formerly Kurdish-majority areas like Afrin, Ras al-Ayn (Sere Kaniye), and Tell Abyad to the administration of the Autonomous Administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Rare Opportunity for Transformation<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kilo Issa<\/strong>, a central committee member of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Party, reinforced that a political resolution in Turkey could have direct implications for northeast Syria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPreviously, Turkey pressured President al-Sharaa to stall Kurdish agreements,\u201d Issa said. \u201cNow that pressure could subside, enabling renewed Syrian-Kurdish dialogue.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Observers agree that the dissolution of the PKK\u2014though symbolically powerful\u2014will only deliver results if Turkey and other regional actors engage seriously and constructively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis is a rare moment,\u201d concluded political analyst Lina Haroun. \u201cIf seized properly, it could reset the trajectory of not just Kurdish politics, but Middle Eastern diplomacy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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