Turkey’s AK Party Awaits Ocalan’s PKK Disarmament Call

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) has expressed expectations that Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), will issue a call for the PKK to disarm, signaling the group’s commitment to the ongoing peace process.

The development comes as part of renewed efforts to end decades of armed conflict between the Turkish state and the PKK.

Efkan Ala, Deputy Chairman of the AK Party, made the remarks following his party’s eighth expanded congress, emphasizing Turkey’s desire to move past violence and terrorism.

Speaking to Turkish media, Ala underlined that Ankara has been closely observing the regional shifts and security dynamics surrounding Turkey. He pointed out that the country has borne a heavy toll from years of conflict, with countless victims and widespread suffering at both the national and regional levels.

“We expect Ocalan to urge the PKK to lay down their weapons. This would be a critical test of the PKK’s sincerity in its commitment to the peace process,” Ala stated.

However, he acknowledged that the complex geopolitical realities of the region might influence the PKK’s response, leading to a cautious approach from the group’s leadership.

Ocalan’s Message Expected Within Days

Turkey’s Minister of Justice, Yilmaz Tunc, has confirmed that Ocalan is expected to deliver his message within the next few days, before the end of the month. However, he clarified that Ocalan’s message would not be directed at the Turkish state or its people but exclusively at the PKK’s leadership.

The government, Tunc stressed, seeks to avoid causing further distress to the families of fallen Turkish soldiers during this delicate process.

Tunc also revealed that a potential visit to Ocalan in Imrali Prison by the DEM Party delegation—commonly referred to as the Imrali delegation—remains on the table.

If the delegation formally submits a request, it could mark their third meeting with Ocalan regarding the peace process. However, Tunc noted that no such request has been made thus far.

The Imrali delegation consists of key figures from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, including Pervin Buldan and Sirri Sureyya Onder, who have previously engaged in discussions with Ocalan regarding efforts to resolve the decades-long conflict.

Their past meetings played a crucial role in the earlier peace talks, which ultimately collapsed in 2015 amid renewed hostilities.

A Renewed Peace Process?

The latest developments signal a potential shift in Turkey’s approach toward the PKK issue, though skepticism remains.

The Turkish government has historically pursued both military and political strategies to address the PKK conflict, with previous peace initiatives faltering due to escalations in violence and political deadlock.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has been engaged in an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, seeking greater autonomy for Kurds in Turkey.

Ocalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, played a central role in past negotiations and remains a pivotal figure in any prospective peace process.

While the AK Party’s latest statements reflect optimism, analysts suggest that regional dynamics—particularly Turkey’s security concerns in northern Syria and Iraq, where PKK-affiliated groups operate—could complicate efforts toward a ceasefire or long-term settlement.

For now, all eyes are on Ocalan’s anticipated message and the PKK’s response, which could determine the trajectory of yet another attempt at ending one of the region’s longest-running conflicts.