Can Abdullah Ocalan be a better leader than Mustafa Barzani?

Abdullah Ocalan and Mustafa Barzani — PKK’s Abdullah Ocalan (right) and KDP’s Mustafa Barzani. Photo: iKurd.net/HDP party/archive

Serwan Zangana | Exclusive to iKurd.net

Can Abdullah Ocalan be a better leader than Mustafa Barzani/Declaring the disarmament of the PKK is declaring the collapse of Kurdish revolution

Devlet Bahceli, The leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party, or MHP, suggested that the jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan could be granted parole if he disbands the Kurdistan Workers (PKK) and disarms the members of the group.

This suggestion was supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose goal is to end the PKK operations in the region. Apparently, Ocalan showed his willingness to work with both Bahceli and Erdogan, and as he said, to reach peace between Turks and Kurds. “I possess the necessary competence and determination to contribute positively to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan.” Ocalan stated.

But what is the measure to trust the Turkish regime, specifically Erdogan, to engage in a fair and honest negotiation for peace in order for the PKK to be disarmed? And will Erdogan compromise and recognize the Kurds’ autonomy in southeast Turkey if the PKK was disarmed?

Bahceli’s proposal has not mentioned Kurds’ right to an autonomous region in Turkey. Indeed, the main focus is to dissolve the PKK which is the major concern for Turkey and end the decades war between the two. Erdogan could not be more pleased with Bahceli’s plan as long as there is a call to “end terror” as he said, which means bring the PKK to an end.

Can Abdullah Ocalan be a better leader than Mustafa Barzani? — Illustrative photo: Devlet Bahceli (L), the head of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a poster of Turkey’s jailed Kurdish leader and PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan 2024. Photo: iKurd.net/AK Party/Firat News Agency ANF

Seemingly, both Bahceli and Erdogan are sketching a peace proposal based on Turkish view and interest of the country and ignoring Kurdish autonomy as a fundamental part of the process. Perhaps, Turkey’s compromise will be to free Ocalan for disarming the PKK! This should not be the Kurds’ goal in Turkey.

Erdogan’s perception of peace is to eradicate the PKK and its allied groups, such as the People’s Defense Unit (YPG). Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the PKK, and Erdogan gave them options of either they lay their weapons down and be disarmed or “ be buried”, which both options indeed mean the end of the group. However, as legitimate groups struggle for the Kurdish rights, regardless of their ups and downs, neither the PKK nor the YPG will be eradicated. Erdogan’s chauvinistic ideology has blinded him from seeing the fact of Kurdish resistance in the region.

Now, Bahceli’s proposal to disarm the PKK in exchange for Ocalan’s freedom could be a tactic to terminate the Kurdish opposition in the region. Seemingly, the Turkish politicians have begun another political maneuver in an attempt to manipulate the public through the peace process and Ocalan’s freedom. Obviously, as an icon for the Kurdish struggle in southeast Turkey, and perhaps, in some other regions in Kurdistan, Ocalan is a hope and a card for the Turks to be used in order to end the Kurdish resistance.

However, Ocalan has been fragile since he was arrested in 1999, as he called for the PKK members to be disarmed in order for his life to be spared after he received the death sentences. In 2015, Ocalan called for the PKK disarmament and end the Kurdish-Turkish conflict and enter a peace process.

In fact, the peace process begins from the Turkish politicians as the rulers of the country and the result of such a process will be determined based on their intentions toward Kurds. That means peace will not be achieved through discrimination and oppression of Kurds by the Turkish regime

Peace in Turkey has to come at a higher price, as both Turkish and Kurdish people have been paying such a price for a long time, and as long as the political scale is not leveled between Turks and Kurds in the country, the conflict will continue.

Sirri Sureyya Onder with Pervin Buldan, Ahmet Turk, and Devlet Bahceli — Sirri Sureyya Onder (R) shakes hands with Devlet Bahceli, while Ahmet Turk (second from right) and Pervin Buldan (third from left) are greeted by other politicians in Turkey, January 2, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/video/AA

Bahceli’s perspective on Kurds is no difference than Erdogan’s, and it is less likely for both to allow a brighter horizon for Kurds to live under an autonomous system in southeast Turkey. Obviously, Bahceli’s agenda has been driven from Turkish nationalism belief that does not recognize Kurds to be a part of the political system, and indeed, denies their issue.

“The Republic of Turkey does not and will never have a Kurdish problem. The Republic of Turkey does not have an ethnic or sectarian dilemma.” Bahceli said.

Apparently, Turkey sees the ongoing conflict of PKK-Turkey as a terrorist issue instead of an ethnic situation. However, pointing out the core issue is a halfway solution, and this is what Bahceli denies. Bahceli’s proposal is only a message which reaffirms the superiority of Turks in Turkey. “ Embracing the Turkish nation’s identity and democratic ethos is the rightful path for the new century,” Bahceli said.

The Kurdish issue in Turkey is unlikely to be solved in a simple invitation from the Turkish Parliament to Ocalan to announce the disbandment of the PKK. Ocalan has been under the pressure of the tyranny of the Turkish government and imprisoned for more than 25 years, which are the possibilities for his decline of leadership mentality.

Therefore, regardless of hope for peace, the concerns and the questions are arising: is Ocalan’s response to the so-called Bahceli’s peace proposal, and his willingness to work with the Turkish government can bring peace and political identity for Kurds, or he just pleading for his freedom and giving up the long time PKK struggle? Will Ocalan’s response to Bahceli’s proposal be a call for a collapse of the PKK guerrillas, and a reminiscence of Mustafa Barzani’s 1974 call for disarming the Kurdish fighters, as he declared the collapse of the Kurdish revolution in Iraqi Kurdistan?

Bahceli’s peace proposal is a product of the mentality of Erdogan and his nationalist allies in the Turkish Parliament. As Bahceli suggested that Ocalan attend the Turkish Parliament and speak,“ Let him proclaim that terrorism has been completely eradicated and that the organization has been dissolved.” Bahceli said.

It is in fact an enhancement for the elite Turkish politicians and the government, and reversely, a destruction of the PKK, and perhaps, a humiliation for Ocalan to stand in the Turkish Parliament to disband the PKK which is the only political Party in Turkey that fights for Kurdish political identity.

However, declaring the disarmament and disbandment of the PKK without political achievement for Kurds is declaring the collapse of the Kurdish revolution in southeast Turkey.

Serwan Zangana, a contributing writer for iKurd.net, lives in Virginia, U.S. He serves as a correction officer.

The views expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of iKurd.net or its editorial team.