‘Resolved to Dissolve’: Kurdish PKK to Disarm and Disband in Apparent Peace Effort With Turkey

Latest Developments

• Kurdish Armed Group to Disband: The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced its decision to disband on May 12, in a reported step toward peace following more than four decades of conflict with Turkey. The group declared that the Kurdish issue has reached “a point where it can be resolved through democratic politics.” The PKK — designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and other countries — added that it had “resolved to dissolve” its “organizational structure and end the armed struggle,” emphasizing that “rebuilding Turkish-Kurdish relations is inevitable.”
• Process to be Overseen by Jailed PKK Leader: The PKK said that the implementation of the disarmament process would be overseen by Abdullah Ocalan, a founding member of the group who has been imprisoned near Istanbul since 1999. Ocalan had previously called for the PKK to disarm in February, following two months of negotiations with the Turkish government.
• Turkey Calls Move ‘Historic’: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan described the PKK’s announcement as “historic” but cautioned that Ankara would be closely monitoring the implementation process. Turkey’s ruling AKP party welcomed the move, stating, “If terrorism is completely eradicated [in Turkey], it will open the door to a new era.” However, the AKP statement also emphasized that the decision to disarm must apply to all “PKK branches, affiliates, and illegal structures” — an apparent reference to the U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), widely regarded as an outgrowth of the PKK. Mazloum Abdi, the commander-in-chief of the SDF, has previously stated that Ocalan’s call for disarmament does not apply to his group.

FDD Expert Response

“A peace deal between the PKK and the Turkish government should be welcomed; however, the entire process has been conducted in secrecy. No debate has taken place in public or parliamentary circles. Therefore, whatever deal exists has been negotiated between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Kurdish leadership. At this point, observers should focus on two important questions: what has convinced the PKK to end its armed struggle, and what will Erdogan gain from securing a deal with the PKK?” — Sinan Ciddi, Non-Resident Senior Fellow

“The PKK’s decision to end its armed conflict against the Turkish state is a monumental one. With Iran’s proxy power waning in the region, Turkey was likely able to provide greater security guarantees to Kurdish populations than had previously been offered. Several thorny issues will need to be resolved before the PKK fully disarms, with setbacks likely along the way. Many in Turkey will also oppose greater autonomy and political rights for the Kurds, assuming these are part of any structured agreement.” — Tyler Stapleton, Director of Congressional Relations, FDD Action 

FDD Background and Analysis

“Turkey’s Kurdish peace talks: A genuine effort or Erdoğan’s power play?” by Sinan Ciddi and Meghan Bodette

“How will the US-backed SDF be affected by PKK leader’s disarmament call?” by Seth J. Frantzman

“10 Things to Know About Turkey’s Interventions and Influence in Syria” FDD Insight