Latest news with #Pro-Kurdish
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
PKK Kurdish terror group ends 40-year war with Turkey
A Kurdish militant group that has waged a 40-year insurgency against the Turkish state has agreed to lay down its arms and dissolve. The announcement by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) followed its jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urging the group to disband two months ago saying there was no longer any reason for its armed struggle. More than 40,000 people have been killed since the PKK – designated a terrorist group by Turkey and its Western allies – launched its insurgency in 1984. The move could end one of Turkey's most persisting security problems and have far-reaching consequences across the region on other Kurdish militias, particularly in Syria where they are allied with US forces. Turkey has repeatedly bombarded PKK strongholds in northern Iraq, as well as Kurdish militias in north-eastern Syria. The PKK's original aim was to create an independent state for Kurds, who make up about 20 per cent of Turkey's population. However, it has more recently turned its attention to fighting for greater rights for Kurds within the country. In a statement on Monday, the PKK said it had 'brought the Kurdish issue to the point of resolution through democratic politics, thus completing its historical mission'. The group, which is based in the mountains of northern Iraq, added that Ocalan should lead the process and Turkey's parliament. Ocalan, who has been imprisoned on an island off Istanbul since 1999, had urged his fighters to hold a congress to formalise the decision at the end of February. Days later, the PKK's leadership accepted Ocalan's call, declaring a unilateral ceasefire, but attached conditions, including the creation of a legal framework for peace negotiations. In a speech on Saturday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, hinted that news about a dissolution was imminent, adding that his government was determined to 'save our country from the scourge of terrorism'. 'We are advancing with firm steps on the path to the goal of a terror-free Turkey,' he said. On Monday, Omer Celik, a spokesperson for Mr Erdogan's AK Party said the PKK's decision to dissolve was an important step towards a 'terror-free Turkey' and that the disbanding process would be meticulously monitored. Concrete and complete implementation of the PKK decision would be a turning point, Mr Celik added. The PKK's decision is likely to give Mr Erdogan a domestic boost and the opportunity to bring peace and development to the mainly Kurdish south-east, where the insurgency has handicapped the regional economy for decades. Pro-Kurdish leaders in Turkey have said they hope that the government will expand rights for Kurds in the wake of the PKK's disarmament. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Rudaw Net
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
DEM Party urges Turkish justice minister to ease Ocalan isolation
Also in Turkey PKK to be informed where to lay down arms: Defense minister 6.2 magnitude quake, aftershocks rock Istanbul Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region despite PKK-Ankara peace talks Pro-Kurdish delegation visits jailed PKK leader A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Representatives of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) met with Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc on Thursday, urging him to ease the isolation of jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan and allow him contact with public figures to facilitate efforts for a peace process. DEM Party parliamentary bloc deputy heads Sezai Temelli and Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit, along with Ozturk Turkdogan, co-chair of the party's law and human rights commission, held the meeting with the minister to convey concerns regarding the detention conditions of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Kocyigit said they told the minister that 'Mr. Ocalan would not be able to contribute to this process under isolation conditions,' and emphasized that improving his conditions was essential for the peace process to move forward. 'Mr. Ocalan's conditions were the most important topic for the process to advance, and ... must be corrected without fail as soon as possible,' she added. he DEM Party is leading an initiative aimed at mediating peace between Ankara and the PKK. The party released a message from Ocalan in late February calling on the PKK to disarm and disband. In response, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire and expressed willingness to uphold Ocalan's call. However, the group also accused the Turkish government of continuing military operations and said a physical meeting with Ocalan was necessary for the peace process to succeed. Kocyigit said they also highlighted the importance of allowing Ocalan to meet with public figures of his choice. 'We underlined that it is very important for some intellectuals, writers, and journalists that Mr. Ocalan wants to meet with to go to the island and establish contact with him,' she stated. When asked how the justice minister responded, she said, 'The minister also noted these carefully.' The DEM Party on Monday made their third visit to the secluded Imrali prison in northwest Turkey to meet with Ocalan. When asked about whether Ocalan will be granted the 'right to hope,' she said that 'we comprehensively evaluated Mr. Ocalan's working conditions, health, and security conditions,' without giving a clear answer. The law concerns prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment who are otherwise ineligible for conditional release. In October, Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey's Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), called on Ocalan to address the Turkish parliament and announce the dissolution of the PKK. He also suggested that Ocalan should benefit from the 'right to hope' law, which could pave the way for his release if certain conditions are met. However, Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc has repeatedly stated that there is no legal basis for granting Ocalan any right to release under the "right to hope" regulation. Ocalan, who founded the PKK in 1978 and began an armed struggle against the Turkish state six years later, has been jailed on Imrali Island since 1999. His recent message has revived hopes for ending a decades-long conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The PKK, initially fighting for Kurdish autonomy, now advocates for broader cultural and political rights within Turkey. Ankara and its Western allies classify the group as a terrorist organization.
Rudaw Net
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PKK to be informed where to lay down arms: Defense minister
Also in Turkey 6.2 magnitude quake, aftershocks rock Istanbul Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region despite PKK-Ankara peace talks Pro-Kurdish delegation visits jailed PKK leader DEM Party's Sirri Sureyya Onder in critical condition after heart attack A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said on Wednesday that Turkey has set three conditions for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in the ongoing peace talks between both sides, including the disarmament of the group. He further noted that PKK fighters would later be informed of the designated location where they should lay down their arms. 'It has to dissolve itself and [PKK fighters] have to surrender their weapons and themselves,' Guler told journalists, adding 'Those will be told to them.' Turkey and the PKK have been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict. Ankara and its western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially struggled for autonomy but now seeks broader cultural and political rights within Turkey. The peace efforts to resolve the Ankara-PKK conflict - which has lasted more than four decades and claimed over 40,000 lives - have gained new momentum in recent months. Turkey's defense ministry announced on Wednesday that a Turkish soldier was killed by PKK on the Kurdistan Region's bordering areas. In late February, jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan called on the PKK to disarm and disband. The PKK responded to Ocalan's message, expressing willingness to uphold his call and declaring a unilateral ceasefire with Turkey, while accusing Ankara of continuing attacks against its members. The group also requested a physical meeting with Ocalan as a precondition for the success of the peace process. Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) said on Monday that 'new developments' could arise later this month regarding the peace process.
Rudaw Net
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkish soldier killed in Kurdistan Region despite PKK-Ankara peace talks
Also in Turkey Pro-Kurdish delegation visits jailed PKK leader DEM Party's Sirri Sureyya Onder in critical condition after heart attack Unfinished Stories: No winner war Erdogan receives pro-Kurdish party delegation in Ankara A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey's defense ministry announced on Wednesday that a Turkish soldier was killed by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on the Kurdistan Region's bordering areas. The incident occurred despite revived peace negotiations between both warring sides and the Kurdish group's unilateral ceasefire. The ministry stated that the soldier, Berat Mecit Day, was 'seriously injured as a result of the attack carried out by members of the terrorist organization' on Tuesday. He succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday at a field hospital despite medical intervention. Turkey and the PKK have been engaged in a decades-long armed conflict. Ankara and its western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially struggled for autonomy but now seeks broader cultural and political rights within Turkey. The development comes as peace efforts to resolve the Ankara-PKK conflict - which has lasted more than four decades and claimed over 40,000 lives - have gained new momentum in recent months. Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) is spearheading the initiative to mediate peace between Turkey and the PKK. This includes meetings with Turkish politicians and with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been held in Imrali prison, northwest of Turkey, since 1999. In late February, the DEM Party relayed a landmark message by Ocalan, in which he called on the PKK to disarm and disband. The PKK responded to Ocalan's message, expressing willingness to uphold his call and declaring a unilateral ceasefire with Turkey, while accusing Ankara of continuing attacks against its members. The group also requested a physical meeting with Ocalan as a precondition for the success of the peace process. As part of its outreach, the DEM Party has been meeting with leaders across the Kurdistan Region to build support for the peace initiative. Its most recent delegation visit began Sunday and lasted three days. Speaking to reporters in Erbil on Monday, DEM Party lawmaker Meral Danis Bestas asserted that in order for the peace process to advance, 'Turkey's [military] operations must be halted and democratic steps must be adopted by all sides.' Days prior on Friday, Kamaran Osman, a member of the US-based Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), told Rudaw that Turkish artillery has continued shelling suspected PKK posts in the Kurdistan Region's northern Duhok province. Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling said on Monday that 'new developments' could arise later this month regarding the peace process.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Turkey's pro-Kurdish party wants law supporting PKK disarmament
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey's Pro-Kurdish DEM Party called on parliament on Tuesday to pave the way for a renewed peace process by enacting legislation that would support the disarmament of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The PKK declared a ceasefire in March following a historic call by its leader Abdullah Ocalan — who has been imprisoned since 1999 — for the group to lay down arms and to dissolve itself. This potentially paved the way for an end to 40 years of conflict with Kurdish militants. While President Tayyip Erdogan's government has not formally acknowledged a restart of peace talks, the DEM Party has intensified its calls for a legal and political roadmap toward peace. A previous peace process collapsed in 2015, sparking a resurgence of violence. Speaking in parliament, DEM Party co-chair Tulay Hatimogullari said a peaceful solution could only be achieved by allowing Ocalan to communicate with the outside world, and by introducing a legal groundwork. "How can this groundwork be established? By ensuring Mr. Ocalan's freedom to work and communicate. By allowing parliament to pass a law enabling the PKK's disarmament process," she said. "If we take these steps as a first move, all of Turkey will breathe a sigh of relief". DEM said last week that a meeting with Erdogan took place in a "constructive and hopeful atmosphere", marking a rare moment of dialogue between the two sides. The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and many Western states, still needs to vote on its disarmament and dissolution at a proposed congress meeting that could come as soon as next month.
