Abdullah Ocalan, the ageing leader of the Kurdish militant group PKK, has made a significant call for the group to disarm and dissolve, potentially marking the beginning of a fragile peace with Turkey. His message, delivered through allies, emphasizes historical responsibility and the need for all groups to disarm. This development could have wide-ranging effects, especially in Syria and Iraq, where Kurdish forces maintain control. Ocalan, imprisoned since 1999, has been a central figure in the PKK's violent history, which has resulted in thousands of deaths over decades of conflict with Turkey.
I am making a call for the laying down of arms, and I take on the historical responsibility for this call... All groups must lay down their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself.
Ocalan's message will have far-reaching implications across the Middle East, not least in Syria where Kurdish forces control significant territory.
The PKK has been responsible for a string of attacks since its founding in 1978, notably car bombings and shootings primarily aimed at Turkish military and security targets.
A ceasefire between the PKK and Turkey collapsed in 2015, prompting Ankara to renew attacks on the group using drones and airstrikes.
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