Demirtaş Welcomes PKK Dissolution, Calls for Unity in Pursuit of Peace and Democracy

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Former People’s Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairman Selahattin Demirtaş has called on all parties to unite in the pursuit of peace and democracy, following the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) historic decision to dissolve and end its decades-long armed campaign.

In a message delivered from Adnan Menderes Prison, Demirtaş described the PKK's move as a "historic development" and praised the initiative. "We welcome this decision," he said, urging all sides to seize the moment and collaborate sincerely to establish lasting peace.

Pervin Buldan, a member of the İmralı peace delegation, visited Demirtaş in prison on Monday and conveyed his message to the public. She emphasized the significance of the PKK congress and the group's formal declaration of disbandment, noting that Demirtaş views it as a major step toward ending conflict and promoting dialogue.

Demirtaş extended his appreciation to several political and national figures, including Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Kurdish veteran politician Ahmet Türk, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli, PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, and the late Sırrı Süreyya Önder, acknowledging their roles in past efforts toward reconciliation.

"Turkey must advance in every field," Demirtaş stated. "We are now living in hope due to the steps taken for peace, while also feeling the sorrow and memory of Sırrı Süreyya Önder."

On Monday, the PKK formally announced the end of its armed struggle, closing a chapter in one of the Middle East’s most entrenched conflicts. The decision marks a critical opportunity for political actors in Turkey to prioritize democratic dialogue and national unity in the period ahead.