PKK Decides to Dissolve, Halt Armed Struggle in Turkiye
The decision comes after four decades of bloody conflict that killed over 40,000 and exerted a huge economic burden, fueling social tensions.
Turkiye welcomed the PKK's decision as it is paving the way to a legal framework for security, disarming the group. The group was designated by Ankara, as well as its Western allies, as a terrorist group.
The decision was taken following the PKK's 12th congress on Monday
A statement from the group on Monday announced that its '12th Congress decided to dissolve the PKK's organizational structure…and end the armed struggle.'
The decision emanated from the congress that was held in response to the PKK's jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan's February call to dissolve.
Ankara has not confirmed or agreed that Ocalan, who has been imprisoned on an island south of Istanbul since 1999, will lead the dissolution process.
However, the statement did not outline how the PKK's disarmament would be carried out or what would become of its existing fighters.
Analysts say the decision is a good step to boost political and economic stability in Turkiye, as well as alleviate the tensions created by Kurds' groups in neighboring countries, particularly Iraq, Iran, and Syria.
Read also: Algeria's Regime Caught Red-Handed: Kurdish Separatists Hosted in Tindouf Camps
However, the statement of the decision did not mention whether it would apply to the group's affiliates in the region.
This development is set to change power relations in the region as less tension will be exerted by the Kurds, thus contributing to peace and stability in the region.
Background of the decision
The PKK declared on March 1 its decision to take a unilateral ceasefire in its 40-year insurgency against the Turkish government.
The ceasefire decision took place after the PKK's imprisoned Ocalan, called on his militants to disarm, urging Turkiye for his release in order to facilitate the organization's disarmament.
Turkiye welcomed the ceasefire decision, but tensions remained between authorities and the Kurds.
However, Kurds also expect that Ankara will halt its offensive operations against the primarily Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which is allied with the US in its fight against ISIS in northeastern Syria.
The Kurdish struggle in Turkiye
The Kurds comprise nearly one-fifth of Turkiye's population of 79 million. They hold a population of roughly 30 million in the Middle East, and predominantly live in Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Turkiye.
Abdullah Ocalan established the PKK in 1978. The group started an insurgency against Ankara since 1984, demanding greater cultural and political rights, and has long sought establishing an independent Kurdish state.
Recently Turkiye, has seen an increasing popular discontent with the June 2013 Gezi Park protests and the July 2016 coup attempt. Tensions have also reemerged between Turkish authorities and Kurdish groups.
Turkish authorities in the southeast have received several attacks from different Kurdish groups. These include, in particular, the PKK, the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), a left-wing pro-Kurdish party, and the People's Protection Unit (YPG), the armed wing of the Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD) with ties to the PKK. Tags: Kurish peoplePKK TurkiyeTurkiye
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