Orla Guerin, Senior International Correspondent for Reuters, reported that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, issued a call for the group to disarm in February. This decision marks the end of a 40-year conflict that has resulted in 40,000 deaths without achieving a Kurdish homeland. The PKK, a banned organization, is now ending its war against the Turkish state. This development is seen as a historic moment for Turkey, its Kurdish minority, and neighboring countries affected by the conflict. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party welcomed the move as a step towards a terror-free country, although the government has not made any promises to the PKK publicly.
The response to the PKK’s announcement in Diyarbakir, a predominantly Kurdish city in southeastern Turkey, was mixed. Some expressed skepticism, while others welcomed the prospect of peace and called for the release of PKK fighters and jailed Kurdish politicians. The conflict has left scars on the city, with many buildings destroyed during battles between Turkish forces and the PKK. The PKK’s decision to lay down arms followed a call from Abdullah Ocalan, who remains imprisoned on an island off Istanbul since 1999.
Supporters of Ocalan see him as a heroic figure and advocate for his release as a key to resolving the Kurdish issue in Turkey. Menice, who lost her eldest son to a Turkish airstrike after he joined the PKK, believes that peace can only be achieved if Ocalan is freed. She has lost multiple family members to the conflict, including her son and brother, who fought for the PKK. Despite her personal losses, Menice hopes for the safe return of her surviving son and an end to the violence that has plagued both Kurds and Turks.
While some remain skeptical about the possibility of peace between Turkey and the Kurds, others, like Menice, hold on to hope that a resolution can be reached with Ocalan’s release and political negotiations. The PKK’s decision to disarm has raised questions about the future of the Kurdish struggle and the potential for lasting peace in the region. Orla Guerin
Dan perubahan regional, di Iran dan Suriah, berarti kelompok militan dan afiliasinya memiliki kebebasan yang lebih sedikit untuk beroperasi.
Kedua belah pihak memiliki alasan mereka untuk melakukan kesepakatan sekarang. Itu mungkin menjadi alasan untuk berharap.