Turkish Presidency: We Will Not Allow the Peace Process to Be Undermined
"Despite obstacles, the process has reached a critical stage and must be supported to achieve a Turkey free from terrorism," Fahrettin Altun said
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The Turkish presidency has reaffirmed its commitment to the peace process, warning against any attempts to derail ongoing efforts for a resolution.
Head of the Relation in the Turkish Presidency Fahrettin Altun stated that despite obstacles, the process has reached a critical stage and must be supported to achieve a Turkey free from terrorism.
Erdogan Closely Monitoring the Process
Altun emphasized that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is personally overseeing the peace process, stressing that “several parties are trying to exploit the negotiations between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), but we will firmly counter any attempts to derail the process.”
In a previous statement, Erdogan warned that Turkey would resume military operations against the PKK if the group failed to uphold its commitment to disarmament.
Speaking during a Ramadan iftar gathering in Istanbul, he asserted:
"If the disarmament process is disrupted or the promises are not fulfilled, Turkey will resume its operations against the PKK."
Read More: Erdogan Warns of Renewed Assault on PKK if Promises Not Kept
PKK Declares Ceasefire
In response to the call by its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK announced a unilateral ceasefire with Turkey, effective from Saturday.
The group expressed hope that Ankara would release Ocalan—who has been held in near-total isolation since 1999—so he could oversee the disarmament process. The PKK also emphasized the need for political and democratic guarantees to ensure the success of the initiative.
A Historic Opportunity for Ending the Conflict
Ocalan’s appeal to the PKK to disarm and dissolve itself marks a potential turning point in a conflict that has lasted more than four decades. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States.
Since its inception in 1984, the conflict between Turkey and the PKK has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of people. The ceasefire declaration is seen as the first significant step toward de-escalation since the collapse of previous peace talks in 2015.
