After four decades of armed resistance, the PKK, Turkey’s outlawed Kurdish militant group, has decided to lay down its weapons.
It has also decided to disband.
So, what’s behind this major shift?
The decision comes after a call from Abdullah Öcalan, the group’s leader, who has been imprisoned since 1999.
His February letter urged the PKK to abandon its violent methods.
He said there was “no alternative to democracy” for resolving the Kurdish issue.
The PKK, which once sought an independent Kurdish state, has long shifted toward advocating for more autonomy.
What’s The Reason?
It now calls for greater rights for Kurds within Turkey.
With over 40,000 lives lost and countless communities torn apart, the move to end the insurgency could signal a new chapter.
But what’s in it for Öcalan and his supporters?
There’s talk of a possible parole for the jailed leader and hope for renewed political dialogue.
After years of setbacks and mounting pressure from Turkey’s military, this announcement could mark the beginning.
It could also mark the beginning of a long-awaited peace process.
