Jailed PKK leader tells group to lay down arms, end conflict with Turkiye
1 month ago

Jailed PKK leader tells group to lay down arms, end conflict with Turkiye

Al Jazeera  

In a historic move, Abdullah Ocalan has asked his party to ‘lay down arms’ and dissolve itself, according to a statement. The jailed leader of Turkiye’s outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party Abdullah Ocalan has made a historic call for the party to lay down its arms, dissolve itself and end its decades-long conflict with the Turkish state. Al Jazeera’s Sinem Koseoglu, reporting from Istanbul, said Ocalan’s letter carries “historical importance” as it is the first time he is asking the PKK to dissolve itself. The president of the Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq, Nechirvan Barzani, welcomed Ocalan’s message, while in Syria, Mazloum Abdi, the head of the Syrian Democratic Forces – many of whose leadership is affiliated with the PKK – said that Ocalan’s statement was “historic”, but was “not related to us in Syria”. It could “redefine the course of Turkish politics” and would also “redefine Turkiye’s relationship with the region’s Kurds in the main neighbouring states”, Dalay told Al Jazeera.

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History of this topic

Analysis: Call to disband PKK reshapes Turkiye, Syria power dynamics
2 weeks, 2 days ago

Analysis: Call to disband PKK reshapes Turkiye, Syria power dynamics

Al Jazeera  

Ocalan’s call comes as value of armed fight diminishes, and Kurdish political participation grew – will this continue? Shifting alliances in Syria – exemplified by the recent agreement between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian government – confirm that Ocalan’s message is not isolated or purely domestic but offers a crucial opportunity that could redefine everything from Turkiye’s …

Abdullah Öcalan: Rebel without arms
2 weeks, 6 days ago

Abdullah Öcalan: Rebel without arms

The Hindu  

Mahir Çayan, a Stalinist and an admirer of the Cuban revolution, was the head of the People’s Liberation Party-Front of Turkiye in the early 1970s. Mr. Öcalan and his comrade Kemal Pir started mobilising Kurdish radical youth on the assertion that “the liberation of the Turkish people depends upon the liberation of the Kurdish people”. “But it was required to …

Kurdish militants declare ceasefire in 40-year insurgency in Turkey
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Kurdish militants declare ceasefire in 40-year insurgency in Turkey

Live Mint  

The outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party militia declared an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, two days after its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan called on fighters to lay down their arms and dissolve the group. Kurdish militants, who have waged a 40-year insurgency in Turkey, declared a ceasefire in what could mark a significant boost to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, the Associated …

Kurdish PKK declare ceasefire following 40 years of bloodshed in Turkey after jailed leader called on militants to disarm
Trending News
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Kurdish PKK declare ceasefire following 40 years of bloodshed in Turkey after jailed leader called on militants to disarm

Daily Mail  

A Kurdish militant group who have waged a 40-year insurgency in Turkey declared a ceasefire today, two days after their jailed leader called for the group to disarm from his prison island. Kurdistan Workers' Party supporters in Diyarbakir, southeastern Turkey, display a poster depicting the group's jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, 75, after he called on the PKK to disarm and …

Kurdish militants declare ceasefire with Turkey after 40 years of armed struggle
3 weeks, 6 days ago

Kurdish militants declare ceasefire with Turkey after 40 years of armed struggle

Firstpost  

Kurdish militants on Saturday declared a ceasefire with Turkey two days after jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan called for the group to disband. The development came after Ocalan urged the group to disband and end its armed struggle against Turkey after more than 40 years. “To support our leader Apo’s call for peace and democracy, we are declaring a ceasefire …

PKK declares ceasefire in 40-year conflict with Turkiye
3 weeks, 6 days ago

PKK declares ceasefire in 40-year conflict with Turkiye

Al Jazeera  

Outlawed Kurdish group calls on Ankara to release jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, who has been held in near total isolation since 1999. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Turkiye would “always keep our iron fist ready in case the hand we extend is left in the air or bitten”. Speaking at a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner in Istanbul on Saturday, Erdogan …

Turkey seeks dissolution of PKK-linked groups in Syria and Iraq, following leader’s peace plea
Trending News
1 month ago

Turkey seeks dissolution of PKK-linked groups in Syria and Iraq, following leader’s peace plea

Associated Press  

ANKARA, Turkey — A senior Turkish official on Friday called for the dissolution of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party’s affiliates in Iraq and Syria, a day after the PKK’s imprisoned leader urged his militant group to disarm and disband in a bid to end a four-decade conflict with Turkey. “Regardless of whether they are called PKK, YPG or PYD, all …

A half-century insurgency in the Middle East may be ending. Here’s why
1 month ago

A half-century insurgency in the Middle East may be ending. Here’s why

CNN  

CNN — One of the Middle East’s most intractable conflicts may be nearing its end, with ramifications that will be felt far and wide. Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu/Getty Images “Erdogan’s ruling alliance may see this as a chance to win over the pro-Kurdish DEM party for constitutional changes that could extend his presidency while granting Kurds more rights,” said Berkay Mandiraci, a …

A half-century insurgency in the Middle East may be ending. Here’s why
1 month ago

A half-century insurgency in the Middle East may be ending. Here’s why

CNN  

CNN — One of the Middle East’s most intractable conflicts may be nearing its end, with ramifications that will be felt far and wide. Mustafa Kamaci/Anadolu/Getty Images “Erdogan’s ruling alliance may see this as a chance to win over the pro-Kurdish DEM party for constitutional changes that could extend his presidency while granting Kurds more rights,” said Berkay Mandiraci, a …

Turkiye’s Erdogan says PKK leader’s call to disband is historic opportunity
1 month ago

Turkiye’s Erdogan says PKK leader’s call to disband is historic opportunity

Al Jazeera  

Turkish president’s comments come as his party urged PKK affiliates in Iraq and Syria to also dissolve and disarm. Turkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Abdullah Ocalan’s appeal for his outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party to disband and disarm was a “historic opportunity” as senior members of the president’s party demanded the dissolution of PKK affiliates in Iraq and Syria. …

Jailed Kurdish separatist leader calls for PKK to disarm in move that could shake up Turkey and Middle East
Trending News
1 month ago

Jailed Kurdish separatist leader calls for PKK to disarm in move that could shake up Turkey and Middle East

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader …

Jailed PKK leader Ocalan expected to call for peace with Turkey
1 month ago

Jailed PKK leader Ocalan expected to call for peace with Turkey

The Hindu  

Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan was expected to make a "historic declaration" on Thursday on ending the decades-long conflict between Kurdish groups and the Turkish State. ‘I am ready’ Two months ago, Ocalan sent a message saying he had "the competence and determination" to change the situation, insisting he was "ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the …

Kurdish separatist leader calls on followers to disarm, potentially ending a five-decade insurgency with Turkey
1 month ago

Kurdish separatist leader calls on followers to disarm, potentially ending a five-decade insurgency with Turkey

CNN  

CNN — Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan has asked his followers in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party to lay down arms and dissolve the group, potentially ending a decades-long conflict with Turkey that is estimated to have killed at least 40,000 people. “All groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself.” Ocalan said that for more than a …

Will PKK leader Ocalan’s call for group to dissolve end Turkiye conflict?
1 month ago

Will PKK leader Ocalan’s call for group to dissolve end Turkiye conflict?

Al Jazeera  

Abdullah Ocalan urges the PKK to disarm and dissolve, signalling a possible end to decades of conflict with Turkiye. The PKK leader called for the group to do two things that would effectively end the decades-long conflict with Turkiye: lay down its arms and dissolve itself. Framing the PKK as a product of the Cold War, Ocalan’s statement continued: “The …

Turkish opposition party delegation meets with Kurdish leader in Iraq as part of PKK peace efforts
1 month, 1 week ago

Turkish opposition party delegation meets with Kurdish leader in Iraq as part of PKK peace efforts

Associated Press  

BAGHDAD — A Turkish opposition party delegation arrived in Iraq’s semiautonomous Kurdish region Sunday against the backdrop of peace efforts between Ankara and a banned Kurdish separatist movement in Turkey. The delegation led by Sirri Sureyya Onder and Pervin Buldan, two senior officials with the pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party, or DEM, in Turkey, met with Masoud Barzani, the …

Turkey’s imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader says he is willing to work with authorities for peace
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Turkey’s imprisoned Kurdish rebel leader says he is willing to work with authorities for peace

Associated Press  

ISTANBUL — Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of Turkey’s banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has said that he is willing to contribute to peace between Turks and Kurds, in a statement issued by the pro-Kurdish DEM party Sunday. “I possess the necessary competence and determination to contribute positively to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan,” …

Turkey's jailed PKK Kurd leader ready to end insurgency, claims report
2 months, 4 weeks ago

Turkey's jailed PKK Kurd leader ready to end insurgency, claims report

Hindustan Times  

The jailed leader of Turkey's outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, Abdullah Ocalan, has been quoted as indicating he may be prepared to call for militants to lay down arms, after a key ally of President Tayyip Erdogan urged him to end the group's decades-old insurgency. A protester holds up a placard bearing a portrait of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the …

Turkey approves pro-Kurd party visit to jailed PKK founder
3 months ago

Turkey approves pro-Kurd party visit to jailed PKK founder

Hindustan Times  

Turkey has approved a request by the pro-Kurdish DEM party to visit jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, who is serving life in solitary confinement, the justice minister and a party spokesman said Friday. Turkey approves pro-Kurd party visit to jailed PKK founder Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc confirmed the move in remarks to TRGT news channel. The move comes two months …

Turkiye to allow pro-Kurdish party to visit jailed PKK founder
3 months ago

Turkiye to allow pro-Kurdish party to visit jailed PKK founder

Al Jazeera  

DEM Party expected to hold face-to-face meeting with Abdullah Ocalan, who has been in prison for 25 years. Turkiye will allow parliament’s pro-Kurdish party to visit the jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party on his island prison, setting up the first such visit in nearly a decade. The Justice Ministry approved a request by the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy …

PKK Suspected of Turkey Terror Attack: Who is PKK and What is the Turkey-Kurdish Conflict?
5 months ago

PKK Suspected of Turkey Terror Attack: Who is PKK and What is the Turkey-Kurdish Conflict?

Firstpost  

A terrorist attack has killed five people and wounded several others at a state-run aerospace and defense company in Turkey. The attack is suspected to be carried out by Kurdish militants, with the interior and defense ministries pointing fingers at the PKK. The conflict between Turkey and the Kurdish population stems from longstanding grievances over Kurdish cultural suppression and political …

Pro-Kurdish protest briefly suspends EU Parliament plenary
2 years, 1 month ago

Pro-Kurdish protest briefly suspends EU Parliament plenary

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A small protest by pro-Kurdish …

Several dead, injured in explosion in Turkey’s restive southeast
5 years, 6 months ago

Several dead, injured in explosion in Turkey’s restive southeast

Al Jazeera  

Roadside explosives believed to have been placed by Kurdistan Workers’ Party fighters in troubled Diyarbakir province. Seven people were killed and 10 others wounded in southeast Turkey when an improvised explosive device placed on a road went off as a vehicle carrying villagers passed by, a governor’s office in the restive region of Diyarbakir said. The mayors of Diyarbakir, Mardin …

Jailed PKK leader Ocalan ‘ready for a solution’ with Turkey
5 years, 7 months ago

Jailed PKK leader Ocalan ‘ready for a solution’ with Turkey

Al Jazeera  

Blacklisted group’s leader, who has been under detention since 1999, says he can ‘remove the conflict’ within a week. Jailed Kurdish rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan has said he is ready to find a solution on the Kurdish issue, and that he could stop the conflict between the Turkish state and rebel fighters within a week, his lawyers said in a …

Kurdish PKK rebels warns of escalation of violence across Turkey
8 years, 11 months ago

Kurdish PKK rebels warns of escalation of violence across Turkey

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Kurdish rebels have warned President …

Turkey PM vows to ‘wipe out’ PKK fighters after attack
9 years, 6 months ago

Turkey PM vows to ‘wipe out’ PKK fighters after attack

Al Jazeera  

Prime Minister Davutoglu says “every effort will be undertaken” against Kurdish PKK after 16 soldiers die in an attack. Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has vowed to “wipe out” Kurdistan Workers’ Party fighters from their mountain strongholds after 16 soldiers were killed in a rebel attack. “If someone wants to push Turkey into a ring of fire, let it be …

Kurdish Militants Begin Historic Withdrawal From Turkey
11 years, 10 months ago

Kurdish Militants Begin Historic Withdrawal From Turkey

NPR  

Kurdish Militants Begin Historic Withdrawal From Turkey Enlarge this image toggle caption Firat News Agency/AP Firat News Agency/AP Today marks the beginning of the pullback of thousands of militant PKK fighters from Turkey back to Kurdish-controlled northern Iraq. Sponsor Message Turkey's sweeping anti-terror laws must also be reformed, analysts say, to prevent thousands of innocent people from being detained without …

Analysis: Turkey and PKK on the road to peace
12 years ago

Analysis: Turkey and PKK on the road to peace

Al Jazeera  

For decades, the Turkish government has been embroiled in a low-intensity conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, an outlawed separatist group. Kurdish group releases captured Turks The process’ framework, which was leaked to Turkish media and not denied by the Turkish government, sets out four steps: Truce; approval of a judicial reform package that will release thousands of imprisoned Kurds …

Profile: Abdullah Ocalan
12 years ago

Profile: Abdullah Ocalan

Al Jazeera  

Greyer and tempered by long isolation, PKK leader is braving the scepticism of many Turks, and some of his own fighters. Ocalan’s evolution After years of brooding introspection, 63-year-old Ocalan, known to allies as “Apo”, appears to have assumed the role he long claimed. “If we are successful there will be a totally new republic … radical democracy,” Ocalan told …

Jailed PKK leader set to make ‘historic’ call
12 years ago

Jailed PKK leader set to make ‘historic’ call

Al Jazeera  

Expectations that Abdullah Ocalan will announce ceasefire on Thursday, ending nearly 30-year-old deadly conflict. Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, has announced he will make a “historic” call on Thursday, raising expectations of an end to a nearly 30-year-old conflict which has claimed about 40,000 lives. This call will include satisfying information regarding both political and …

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