ANKARA, Turkey (AP) \u2014 The Kurdish militant group PKK announced Monday that it is disbanding and renouncing armed conflict as part of a new peace initiative with Turkey, ending four decades of hostilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision by the PKK, or Kurdistan Workers\u2019 Party, promises to end one of the longest insurgencies in the Middle East and could have significant impact in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. It was announced by the Firat News Agency, a media outlet close to the group, days after the PKK convened a party congress in northern Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In February, PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999, urged his group to convene a congress and formally decide to disband and disarm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The call by Ocalan, 76, who continues to wields significant influence in the Kurdish movement despite his 25-year imprisonment, marked a pivotal step toward ending the decades-long conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Building on the momentum, the PKK announced a unilateral ceasefire on March 1 but attached conditions, including the creation of a legal framework for peace negotiations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has spilled over into northern Iraq and northern Syria, with Turkey carrying out numerous incursions into the neighboring regions. The PKK is listed as a terror group by Turkey and its Western allies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the PKK\u2019s latest announcement, saying it would lead to stronger security and regional peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe have crossed another critical threshold in the process toward a terror-free Turkey,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the PKK announcement, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. \u201cThis decision, if implemented, represents another important step towards the peaceful resolution of a long-standing conflict.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a statement carried by Firat, the PKK announced its decision to end its \u201corganizational structure\u201d and suggested that its armed struggle has successfully challenged policies that sought to suppress Kurdish rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The congress assessed that the PKK\u2019s struggle had \u201cbrought the Kurdish issue to the point of resolution through democratic politics, thus completing its historical mission,\u201d according to the statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAs a result, activities carried out under the name \u2018PKK\u2019 were formally terminated,\u201d the statement said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the decision as \u201chistoric,\u201d but said the government would closely monitor the steps the group takes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani said the peace agreement \u201cwill also contribute to the stability of the region.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Erdogan said the declaration should apply to all PKK-affiliated groups: \u201cWe consider this announcement to encompass all of the organization\u2019s branches, including those in northern Iraq, Syria and Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kurdish fighters in Syria have ties to the PKK and have been involved in intense fighting with Turkish-backed forces there. The leader of the U.S.-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces previously said Ocalan\u2019s call for a dissolution does not apply to his group in Syria. The group then reached an agreement with the central government in Damascus for a nationwide ceasefire and its merger into the Syrian army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Details of the PKK\u2019s peace initiative have not been made public. The future of its fighters remains uncertain, including whether they may be relocated to third countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some analysts have suggested the Kurdish movement could potentially receive concessions including improvement in Ocalan\u2019s prison conditions, release or amnesty for jailed Kurdish politicians \u2014 including Selahattin Demirtas, the former leader of the country\u2019s pro-Kurdish party \u2014 and guarantees against the removal from office of Kurdish mayors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Previous peace efforts between Turkey and the group \u2014 most recently in 2015 \u2014 ended in failure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dozens of people gathered Monday outside a mosque in the mainly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, celebrating the announcement with a traditional dance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe people of this region are tired of this war,\u201d said resident Tekin Ergin. \u201cThe PKK\u2019s decision to disband is the right decision and a timely decision.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In recent years, the PKK has been limited to isolated attacks inside Turkey as the Turkish military, backed by armed drones, has pushed its insurgents increasingly across the mountainous border into Iraq.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest peace initiative was launched in October by Erdogan\u2019s coalition partner,\u00a0Devlet Bahceli, a far-right politician who suggested that Ocalan could be granted parole if his group renounces violence and disbands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some believe the main aim of the reconciliation effort is for Erdogan\u2019s government to garner Kurdish support for a new constitution that would allow him to remain in power beyond 2028, when his term ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bahceli has called for a new constitution, saying it is essential for Turkey\u2019s future that Erdogan remain in power. Erdogan and Bahceli are reportedly seeking parliamentary support from the pro-Kurdish People\u2019s Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PKK\u2019s declaration could mark a major gain for Erdogan, whose government is grappling with political tensions following the arrest of Istanbul\u2019s\u00a0Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu\u00a0on corruption charges. Many see the imprisonment of the mayor, who is the opposition\u2019s strongest challenger to Erdogan\u2019s more than two-decade rule, as politically motivated. The government insists Turkey\u2019s judiciary operates independently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sinan Ulgen, director of the Istanbul-based Edam think tank, cited both domestic and international drivers for the new peace initiative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe domestic driver can be explained by Erdogan\u2019s aspiration to secure additional support in parliament in order to pave the path to his potential candidacy for the next round of presidential elections,\u201d Ulgen said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Internationally, Ulgen said, factors such as the change of administration in Syria and Iran\u2019s weakening after being targeted by Israel, had left the PKK \u201cmore vulnerable than in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis does not mean that the road is clear of all hurdles,\u201d Ulgen added, warning of possible splits within the PKK.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen this sort of dynamics around the world,\u201d Ulgen said. \u201cWhether it is IRA or other entities that have decided to lay down arms, there is the prospect of a split, with one wing being in compliance with the objective, but the more radical wing continuing with the fight.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bahceli said he hoped \u201cthe bloody chapter will be closed forever, never to be reopened.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The politician called for careful consideration of the steps to follow, including the timing and method of arms collection, monitoring the possible transitions of PKK members into groups in Syria, distinguishing members involved in criminal activities from those who were not, and deciding the appropriate course action concerning the group\u2019s leadership.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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