Latest news with #PKK
Rudaw Net
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkey says SDF must prove commitment to integration deal with Damascus
Also in Middle East Turkey accuses Israel of trying to 'divide Syria,' vows to intervene Iraq says Turkey ready to renew, expand oil export deal PKK disarmament could be completed within four months: Kurdish lawmaker Sudani, Erdogan discuss Ankara-PKK peace talks A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) should demonstrate that they are committed to the March agreement with Damascus regarding its integration into the interim government's security apparatus, Turkish state media cited Ankara's defense sources as saying. SDF chief Mazloum Abdi and Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a landmark agreement on March 10 concerning the future of the SDF and the Kurdish-led administration in northeast Syria (Rojava). While parts of the agreement have already been implemented, key provisions - such as the integration of the US-backed SDF into Syrian state forces - continue to face significant obstacles. 'The SDF terrorist organization must concretely demonstrate that it is complying with the agreement it made with the Damascus government. Developments regarding this issue are being closely monitored together with our relevant institutions,' Turkish national defence sources told journalists during a weekly press briefing, reported Turkey's state-run TRT Haber on Wednesday. Ankara has endorsed the March 10 agreement but has repeatedly called on the SDF to abide by it. Middle East Eye reported on Monday that the US and Turkey have given the SDF a 30-day ultimatum to integrate into Damascus forces. However, the SDF denied the claim. An SDF spokesperson told the Saudi-based Asharq Al-Awsat on Tuesday that they do refuse to lay down arms for now. 'We can join the Syrian army through a constitutional and legal agreement that recognizes the specificity of our forces,' Abjar Dawoud said, adding that they refuse to 'surrender' weapons 'in light of the increase in the pace of violence' in southern Syria - where days of recent clashes left nearly 1,300 people dead, according to a war monitor. He stressed it is 'impossible' for the SDF to hand over its weapons while the Islamic State (ISIS) continues to pose a threat to northeast Syria. The SDF is the de facto army of Rojava.
Mint
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Erdogan's Key Ally Proposes Vice Presidency for Minorities
(Bloomberg) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's top political ally has proposed senior government positions to be held by the country's Kurdish and Alevi minorities in a surprise statement. Devlet Bahceli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party, raised the suggestion in a closed-door party meeting on July 18, according to a statement from his party on Monday. A potential outreach from the MHP — an informal coalition partner of Erdogan's ruling AK Party — is significant, as the party has typically pursued an ultra-nationalist ideology. Until two years ago, Erdogan drew attention to opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu's Alevi background and also claimed that the CHP had links to the Kurdish separatist group PKK, in an effort to rally nationalist and religious voters. Alevis are a religious minority in Turkey who follow a distinct interpretation of Islam, with beliefs and rituals that differ from those of the Sunni majority. Turkey currently has one vice president who's appointed by the president. Bahceli's proposal is part of his broader efforts of what he calls to create 'a terror-free' state as he's softened his rhetoric in past months. That's included encouraging the government to hold peace talks with PKK, as well with pro-Kurdish DEM with the initial outreach coming from Bahceli. Securing the backing of pro-Kurdish DEM Party, which has 56 seats in parliament, could help Erdogan and the MHP reach the threshold needed to change the Constitution, a long-running desire for the president. Some critics say that constitutional amendment is for Erdogan to extend his rule for another term as it's impossible under the current laws. The president has not explicitly expressed his desire to stay in power for more but his top aides and Bahceli have voiced their support. Bahceli, 77, who's built his politics on hardline nationalism surprised observers when he made a peace call to the PKK. The group's jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, welcomed the call. Earlier this month, the PKK began laying down its arms, marking the first concrete step toward disarmament since it announced plans to dissolve in May. More stories like this are available on
Rudaw Net
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
DEM Party rebukes call by Erdogan's ally to dissolve
Also in Turkey Erdogan commends Ocalan's support for peace process Erdogan will not seek Turkey-Iraq oil export deal renewal: Gazette PKK says no more disarmament until Ankara enacts reforms Turkish parties discuss forming PKK peace commission in parliament A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on Tuesday condemned a call from an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan urging the party to dissolve itself over alleged ties to Kurdish rebel groups. The DEM Party firmly rejected the demand, stating it has no intention of disbanding. The DEM Party is mediating peace talks between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). The latter has decided to dissolve itself and lay down arms after decades of a devastating war with the Turkish state. A first group of PKK fighters burned their weapons earlier this month. Mustafa Destici, leader of the Great Unity Party (BBP), on Monday called on all alleged offshoots of the PKK to dissolve themselves, mentioning the DEM Party too. 'Even this DEM Party in Turkey will do so. Because it is also the PKK's party. It will dissolve itself, condemn terrorism, and establish a new party,' he told reporters. The BBP is part of the ruling People's Alliance, which includes Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP). The DEM Party rebuked the Turkish politician for his remarks late Tuesday. 'DEM Party is the name of the struggle for equality, freedom, democracy, justice, and peace of the peoples. It is the will of millions. It is not a mere signboard, nor is it temporary. It has reached this point by paying great costs and through an uninterrupted struggle,' stated the pro-Kurdish party. 'The purpose of the DEM Party is clear: to ensure peace and build democracy for 86 million people.' The party refused to dissolve itself. 'We are not dissolving our party. We are right where we stand, and our march continues with determination. We will never step back,' the party said, advising the BBP leader to be 'the voice of people and democracy, not of Kurdish hostility.' On May 12, the PKK announced its dissolution and intention to disarm after being urged to do so by its founder Abdullah Ocalan who said it was time to take the struggle for Kurdish rights into the political sphere. The PKK has declared a unilateral ceasefire and on July 11 held a disarmament ceremony had a ceremonial disarmament where 30 fighters, including commanders, burned their weapons. Erdogan on Monday praised Ocalan for his continued support for peace talks between the PKK and Ankara. 'We are determined to build a terrorism-free future. We are clear about what we will do to reach our goal, how we will achieve it, and where we will ultimately end up,' Erdogan told journalists. Erdogan also said that they are following the PKK disarmament process, adding that the negotiations to form a parliamentary commission to address the peace process, or what Ankara calls terror-free Turkey, have 'reached the final stage. You will soon see progress at the parliamentary level.' The peace process will be guided by the parliamentary commission. Representatives of the parliamentary bloc of Turkey's political parties met with the parliament speaker on Friday and the commission is set to be formed within days. The commission has broad political support, except from the ultranationalist Good Party (IYI). Sezai Temelli, a DEM Party lawmaker, told Rudaw on Tuesday that the parliamentary commission will consist of 35 members and may hold its first meeting in the coming days. 'There may be a meeting on Friday. Even if it is not Friday, it will definitely convene within the next week. Even if parliament goes on recess, the commission will continue its work and fulfill its legal preparation duty until October 1,' he said. He added that the commission's main task will be to ensure 'legal and political guarantees for the disarmament process.' Some PKK fighters based in Duhok province told Rudaw earlier this month that they fear reprisals if they return to Turkey, with many opting to remain in the mountains instead. "In the first phase, regulations will be made regarding the legal and political rights of those who lay down arms. After this stage is completed, new steps can be taken for the continuation of the process,' Temelli noted, adding that the DEM Party delegation, which has held several meetings with Ocalan in jail, will visit him again following the commission meeting. Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish intelligence chief, has held meetings with several Turkish political parties over the peace talks, including the DEM Party. Temelli said their meeting with Kalin was positive. "It was a sincere and important meeting. We won't make statements about its content, but it went positively. The resumption of dialogues is important for the democratic solution of the Kurdish issue,' the lawmaker said.
The Hindu
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
PKK's disarmament offers hope for Kurds, but regional concerns persist
The Partiya Karkari Kurdistan, or the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), has disbanded itself after defining the struggle of Turkish Kurds for autonomy with its guerrilla warfare for decades. The disbandment comes after a 'historic' decision taken during a congress held in northern Iraq in early May this year. The decision to disband was made following calls for peace and democratic process by Abdullah Ocalan, founder of the PKK, from the prison in Imrali island in the Sea of Marmara off the Turkiye coast, where he has been kept in solitary confinement since 1999. The move follows months of talks between the 'rebel' and representatives of the Turkish government, initiated by ultra-nationalist MP Devlet Bahceli of the Nationalist Movement Party and joined by pro-Kurdish MPs of the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM). The public announcement made by Mr. Ocalan on February 27 culminated in 30 PKK members destroying their weapons at a ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan, a semi-autonomous region, on July 11. Conflict in West Asia 'Given the rising fascist pressure and exploitation around the globe and current bloodbath in the Middle East, our people are more than ever in need of a peaceful, free, equal and democratic life. In such a context, we fully feel and comprehend the greatness, righteousness and urgency of the step we have taken,' the Group for Peace and Democratic Society, formed to accelerate the process of democratic change in place of the PKK, said in a statement following the ceremonial laying-down of weapons. 'The PKK was born in the 20th century, in the most violent epoch of the history of humanity, amidst the two world wars, under the shadow of the experience of real socialism and the cold war around the world,' Mr. Ocalan had said in his statement from prison. Mr. Ocalan, who had transitioned his ideology from Marxist-Leninism into 'democratic confederalism' during his imprisonment, alludes his decision to disarm to the democratic steps taken by the Turkish government on Kurdish issues, along with regional developments, which rendered armed resistance with no meaning. Democratic confederalism, for Mr. Ocalan, is the contrasting paradigm of the oppressed people. He describes it as a borderless, community-based democracy that promotes ecological living and radical gender equality. 'Respect for identities, free self-expression, democratic self-organisation of each segment of society based on their own socio-economic and political structures are only possible through the existence of a democratic society and political space,' he said in his call for disarmament. In his view, a separate nation-state, federation, administrative autonomy, or culturalist solution for the Kurds fail to answer Turkish society's needs. 'There is no alternative to democracy in the pursuit and realisation of a political system. Democratic consensus is the fundamental way.' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a speech on July 12, acknowledged the burning of weapons and announced the establishment of a commission to talk about the legal needs in the Turkish Parliament for the path to peace. He also admitted that previous governments had pursued policies that contributed to conflict and said Turkiye had spent two trillion dollars on the war with the PKK, an important shift in tone. Persecuted minority Founded in 1978 by Mr. Ocalan, the PKK followed a Marxist-Leninist doctrine in response to persecution faced by stateless Kurdish people and to support their aspirations to establish an independent Kurdish state. Their main targets were the fascist right, Turkish left, state agents, and, above all, Kurdish landlords who worked in tandem with the state to exploit the Kurdish masses. The PKK launched its armed insurgency in Turkiye in 1984, following decisions made at its second party congress in Daraa of Syria in 1982. Led by Mahsum Korkmaz, also known as Agit, the first commander of the PKK's military forces, the group attacked a gendarmerie station in the Siirt province of Turkiye, killing a soldier. This was followed up by a raid on a police outpost in the same province and marked the start of the armed rebellion for Kurdistan. While the Kurdish masses were initially shocked by the PKK's violence, the increasingly degrading treatment they endured at the hands of the Turkish state, including military sweeps, arbitrary arrests, and widespread torture, made them receptive to the PKK. Regional ripples However, Mr. Ocalan's call for peace was not just for the PKK. 'All groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself,' he said. 'All groups' indicate that he means all PKK offshoots in Syria and Iran. While the PKK has grown to be the face of the Kurdish cause, it is not the sole unit fighting for it. The Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria, the Free Life of Kurdistan Party (PJAK) in Iran, and the Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party (PCDK) in Iraq are all allied with the PKK. The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) serves as an umbrella organisation for all the groups, and the People's Protection Units (YPG), formed in 2012 during the Syrian civil war, serves as the armed wing for the cause. While the PKK's disarmament and dispersal might accelerate the peace process in Turkiye, questions remain over the future of the Kurdish struggle for identity and autonomy. Oil fields in the Iraqi Kurdistan came under unclaimed attack by explosives-laden drones in the days following the dispersal of the PKK, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq. 'The suicide drones that targeted oil fields in the Kurdistan Region last week flew from Dibis, Kirkuk,' Aziz Ahmad, deputy chief of staff to Iraqi Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, said in a social media post. In Syria, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with links to the PKK, has been in negotiation with Turkiye regarding its future in the region following the fall of the Assad regime. The interim government in Syria, led by former jihadist Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, wants the SDF to lay down arms and integrate itself into the state. While the PKK's announcement to disarm was welcomed by SDF leader Mazloum Abdi, he said his group would not disarm and that Mr. Ocalan's decision did not extend to Syria. The PKK's disarmament has essentially brought the Kurdish struggle to a crossroads. If the democratic process in Turkiye proves successful, it could motivate Kurds in other countries in the Kurdish heartland, including Syria, Iraq and Iran, to facilitate a similar peaceful quest for autonomy. But the risk of the process going off track and pushing back their struggle by decades is something that keeps the fragmented Kurdish societies sceptical.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
As PKK Lays Down Arms, Iraq Emerges As Power Broker
Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At the entrance to a cave northwest of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, PKK fighters threw their weapons into a fire in a ceremony that marked the end of their decades-long armed struggle against the Turkish state. The symbolic act followed the group's public announcement of disarmament and was attended by representatives of most Kurdish factions. Since 1984, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state that has cost over 40,000 lives and transformed borderlands into militarized zones. Now, with incarcerated PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan's blessing—and a surprising political overture from Turkey's far right—the PKK has unilaterally moved to disarm. Last October, Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the far right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stunned observers by suggesting in Parliament that Öcalan could be considered for parole if he formally renounced violence and dismantled the PKK. A fighter with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) puts his weapon into a pit during a ceremony in Sulaymaniyah, in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on July 11, 2025. A fighter with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) puts his weapon into a pit during a ceremony in Sulaymaniyah, in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, on July 11, 2025. SHWAN MOHAMMED/AFP via Getty Images Iraq was a significant behind-the-scenes mediator and its involvement may prove decisive in determining whether this will bring a permanent end to a decades-long conflict. Concerns center on interference from remaining factions unimpressed by the terms, or by regional spoilers. For now, however, arrangements seem to be holding as all sides work to reach a final agreement. Iraqi Mediation The move was welcomed in Iraq, where Turkish cross-border operations against the PKK had long provoked public anger in a country fiercely protective of its sovereignty and deeply resentful of foreign incursions. With the PKK now signaling demobilization, Baghdad sees an opportunity to reassert authority in the north, ease regional tensions, and reestablish security—especially with elections in November, where the government is eager to project stability and assertiveness. A statement issued by Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid on the PKK's disarmament called it "an important and historic step toward ending decades of armed conflict and repeated security violations that have cost countless civilian lives," adding that it "paves the way for a more stable and secure future, strengthening the prospects for peace and constructive cooperation across the region." In recent weeks, Turkish delegations have held consultations with President Rashid and other Iraqi officials to ensure his close involvement in the process, aiming to coordinate with all key stakeholders in Iraq, including both Kurdish and Iraqi intelligence services, as well as political and tribal factions, during what is seen as a critical three-to-four month window. The stakes are high. As one senior Turkish official put it: "If anything happens in this window—anything—it can derail everything." Not the First Time Across the board there is palpable—if guarded—optimism that the process will not be interrupted. This isn't the first time the PKK has declared a ceasefire. A similar peace deal was announced in 2013, but collapsed in 2015 amid renewed violence and a surge in Turkish ultranationalism. What distinguishes this attempt, however, is how it has been framed both to PKK cadres and to the broader public, not as a surrender, but as a negotiated agreement. While the terms of the deal have not been made public, the deal calls for a mutual transition rather than unilateral capitulation. But for some, the opacity surrounding the process is cause for alarm. There's no roadmap, no amnesty law, and no clarity on what Öcalan may have been promised. That ambiguity feeds both hope and skepticism. Still, Erdoğan's speech following the PKK's symbolic disarmament ceremony surprised even skeptical Kurds, as it appeared to embrace the vision of Kurds as equal partners within the Turkish state, reviving the kind of grand, unifying narrative that has long been absent from Turkish politics. "When we—Turks, Kurds and Arabs—formed an alliance, the thunder of our horses brought cool breezes from the Chinese Sea to the Adriatic," Erdoğan said to AK Party members. "Remember ... from the galloping of our horses, peace spread across the lands." The Hard Work of Peace With clear political reforms insofar as language rights, cultural protections, and inclusive political representation, disarmament has the potential to be transformative rather than merely symbolic. Whether Iraq can seize this moment to reaffirm its sovereignty, strengthen internal cohesion, and burnish its credentials as a credible mediator will determine if it can step beyond the role of a battleground for others' conflicts and emerge as a stabilizing force in the region's long and difficult path to peace. The PKK disarmament, despite the risks, is one of the few bright spots in today's Middle East. From Tehran to Tel Aviv, the region is encountering greater instability than ever before. Between Israel's bombing of Gaza, Syria, and Iran, and the ongoing humanitarian disasters in both Gaza and Yemen, it is hard to find any evidence of promise. While it may be too early to rule out interference by some minor groups, the PKK-Turkey agreement may be the one glimmer of hope in the region. It will remain incumbent upon Turkey, the PKK, and Iraq to remain committed to the just and peaceful ending of the 40-year conflict. Tanya Goudsouzian is a Canadian journalist based in Baghdad. She has covered the Middle East and Afghanistan since 2000. The views expressed in this article are the writer's own.
