Erdogan ally urges Ocalan to announce PKK's disbandment

ANKARA,— Devlet Bahceli, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), called on Tuesday for jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan to announce the disbandment of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) after his next meeting with representatives from the pro-Kurdish Democratic Party (DEM).

Bahceli’s comments came after a rare meeting between Ocalan and DEM officials at the end of 2024, where Ocalan reportedly showed willingness to encourage the PKK to lay down its arms. Another meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, according to sources.

The PKK has been involved in an armed struggle against the Turkish state since 1984, aiming for greater autonomy for Kurds in Turkish Kurdistan (Bakur).

The conflict has led to more than 40,000 deaths, including both Turkish soldiers and Kurdish guerrillas, though the PKK has largely avoided civilian casualties. This approach has led many international organizations to urge reconsideration of the PKK’s designation as a “terrorist” group.

Ocalan, who has been in prison on Imrali Island since his capture in 1999, has long signaled his willingness to contribute to peace efforts. Bahceli’s remarks, however, represent a stronger call for the PKK’s dissolution.

Bahceli told Parliament, “The PKK’s organizational existence must come to an end during the second meeting between DEM and Ocalan.” “PKK militants must either lay down their arms, surrender, or face the inevitable consequences. There will be no negotiations or compromises with terrorism,” he stressed.

Bahceli’s proposal echoes a surprise suggestion from last year, in which he called for Ocalan to announce the PKK’s disbandment.

While the talks between DEM and Ocalan have sparked hope for peace, many Kurds remain cautious, especially in light of ongoing concerns in Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), where Kurdish forces have held power following years of civil war. There is uncertainty about Turkey’s true intentions moving forward.

In response to Bahceli’s remarks, Tuncer Bakirhan, co-chair of the DEM, expressed his party’s support for Ocalan’s messages. “Ocalan has shown that he has the power to build peace; now it’s up to the government to act,”

Bakirhan said, calling on the Turkish government to take concrete steps to address issues related to democratization and the Kurdish question.

As the situation develops, it remains unclear whether the Turkish government will take further steps to resolve the long-standing conflict with the Kurdish population.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)