Why it matters:
This renewed call for disarmament from Öcalan comes at a time of heightened regional tensions and could mark a critical turning point in Turkey’s decades-long conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
What he’s saying:
In a newly released video message from İmralı Prison, Öcalan instructed the PKK to abandon its military actions and drop its nation-state ambitions, emphasizing the group’s recognized existence and the need to transition toward a political process.
Öcalan stated: “Disarmament will be a historic victory. The People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and other political factions in Turkey’s parliament must support this process. The goal of peace and a democratic society is only attainable together.”
He added that he believes in the power of politics and social peace, not armed conflict: “I ask you to follow this principle. Recent developments in the region confirm the importance and urgency of this historic step.”
Go deeper:
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ahmad shirzadian
