Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), has issued a strong call for the immediate and unconditional disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its affiliated groups. His statement comes amid recent developments surrounding Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, who recently urged the group to lay down arms and dissolve itself.
Bahçeli, a key ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, emphasized in a written statement that “there is no longer room for armed groups threatening Turkey’s sovereignty.” He insisted that all PKK-affiliated factions, including the People’s Protection Units (YPG) in Syria, must comply with Öcalan’s call. The MHP leader warned that any refusal to disarm would be met with severe consequences.
Öcalan’s appeal, delivered through intermediaries on February 27, signaled a major shift in the four-decade-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state. The PKK has since declared a ceasefire, stating that its forces will not engage in offensive actions unless attacked. However, some PKK-affiliated groups, particularly the YPG, have claimed that Öcalan’s statement does not extend to them.
The Turkish government has cautiously welcomed Öcalan’s message but remains skeptical about the PKK’s full compliance. Officials have reiterated that a lasting resolution must involve the dissolution of all armed factions, including those operating in Syria and Iraq.
Meanwhile, Turkey’s main opposition leader, Özgür Özel of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), has proposed a 20-point roadmap to address the Kurdish issue through democratic reforms. His plan includes ending the state’s practice of appointing trustees over elected Kurdish officials, revising anti-terrorism laws, and ensuring press freedom.
With these recent developments, Turkey stands at a crucial juncture in its decades-long struggle with the PKK. While some see Öcalan’s call as a potential breakthrough, others remain cautious, warning that political maneuvering and regional dynamics could still derail the fragile process.
