‘Türkiye Can End 40-Year ‘Calamity’ if PKK Disarms,’ Erdogan

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reiterated his government’s unwavering commitment to eradicating terrorism, framing the moment as a historic opportunity to end a four-decade-long conflict. In a statement posted on Thursday on his official account on the X platform, Erdogan outlined his administration’s strategy, emphasizing the goal of a terrorism-free Türkiye while extending an appeal for the dissolution of armed groups.

"We are in a new process that will bring us closer to our goal of a terrorism-free Türkiye and put an end to a 40-year-long issue," Erdogan stated, signaling what he described as a critical juncture in Türkiye’s long-standing counterterrorism efforts.

The Turkish leader made clear that the ultimate resolution to this issue lies in the surrender and disarmament of militant factions, which he accused of disrupting the peace and security of all Turkish citizens, including the country’s Kurdish population. "The final step is the dissolution of the separatist organization and the surrender of its weapons, which have harmed the lives, peace, and prosperity of all our citizens, including our Kurdish brothers and sisters," he declared.

Erdogan maintained that, should such a resolution be achieved, Türkiye would finally be able to rid itself of what he called a “40-year-long calamity” through peaceful means. However, he also issued a stern warning that if militant groups refused to disarm voluntarily, Ankara would continue its strategy of neutralizing threats at their source. "If not, we will focus on swiftly concluding our strategy of eliminating terrorism at its source, a strategy in which we have already made significant progress," he affirmed.

The Turkish president urged those affiliated with these groups to abandon violent tactics, warning against repeating past miscalculations that have prolonged the conflict. "Our hope is that neither the organization nor its sympathizers will, as in the past, resort to irrational and unreasonable actions that would squander this historic opportunity," he said.

Beyond Türkiye’s borders, Erdogan framed the effort as part of a broader regional stabilization initiative, arguing that eliminating militant factions would contribute to greater security in neighboring Iraq and Syria. "This development will not only bring relief to our country but also contribute to greater stability across our region, particularly in Iraq and Syria," he emphasized.

Erdogan further contended that the elimination of terrorism would not only enhance security but also bolster democratic engagement in Türkiye. "As the dark shadow of terrorism lifts from politics, the power of words will grow, and the democratic space for political engagement will expand," he said, suggesting that disarmament would open the door for greater political participation and dialogue.

Concluding his statement, Erdogan reaffirmed his government’s commitment to seeing this process through and called on all relevant actors to engage constructively. "As the government and our alliance, we are both determined and sincere in our efforts to free Türkiye from this 40-year burden," he asserted. "We expect the same genuine, honest, and constructive approach from our counterparts."

The statement underscores Erdogan’s continued emphasis on national security, counterterrorism operations, and the broader political implications of resolving Türkiye’s long-running conflict with militant groups. However, his call for disarmament is likely to be met with skepticism from various Kurdish factions, given the history of failed negotiations and military escalations in the past. As Ankara pushes forward with its strategy, the coming months may reveal whether this moment indeed marks a turning point or if the cycle of conflict will persist.