PKK declares ceasefire in response to Öcalan’s call for peace, democracy and equality of peoples

QANDIL, Iraq/Iran — In a historic move towards peace, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced a ceasefire on Saturday, aligning with the call from their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, to disarm and dissolve the organization, but more so for peace, democracy and equality of peoples.

On 27 February, Abdullah Öcalan, who has been incarcerated at Imrali prison since 1999, issued a statement urging the PKK to lay down arms and pursue peaceful and democratic means to address the Kurdish issue in Turkey. He described this initiative as a “manifesto” for freedom and democracy, not only for the Kurdish people but for all peoples inside Turkey.

Related: Imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan calls for disbandment in historic statement

PKK’s Response: Ceasefire Declaration

Responding promptly, the PKK’s executive committee declared an immediate ceasefire starting March 1, 2025. The committee emphasized their full commitment to Öcalan’s vision, stating that none of their forces would engage in armed actions unless attacked. 

Also Read: SÜDEF President Evgil Türker: The current Turkish-Kurdish peace talks could have a profound positive impact for Syriacs, and we should all embrace this 

International Reactions

The international community reacted positively to the developments. The United States and the European Union welcomed the ceasefire announcement, viewing it as a significant step toward resolving a conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives in over four decades. Neighboring countries also expressed optimism, hoping for enhanced regional stability.

Challenges Ahead

While the ceasefire marks a pivotal moment, several challenges persist. The PKK, and its associated Peoples’ Equality and Democratic Party (DEM Party), of which the Federation of Syriac Associations in Turkey (SÜDEF) is a co-founder, have expressed hope that Öcalan would be released to lead the disarmament process effectively. However, the Turkish government’s current stance makes this prospect highly uncertain.

Additionally, the Syrian Democratic Forces, considered by Ankara as an extension of the PKK, stated that Öcalan’s call does not apply to them, for now, as the ball is in the Turkish court to take the necessary steps towards real democracy and rights for all peoples, and towards stopping the Turkish military and its mercenaries’ attacks on North & East Syria.

Turkish Government’s Stance

Despite the PKK’s announcement, the Turkish government maintains a firm position, refusing to negotiate with the PKK. The Turkish government has not made any commitments for the democratic rights of the Kurdish and other peoples in Turkey, so far, and continues to insist that the Kurdish militias, including those in Iraq and Syria, must first disarm and be disbanded.

The path to lasting peace will require sustained efforts from all sides, a lot of mutual trust, and comprehensive political solutions addressing the rights and aspirations of the Kurdish population and other peoples within a real democratic framework. 

How the current ‘peace process’ will continue is therefore still uncertain and is reminiscent of the years-long peace process in the early 2010s, where the Turkish government initially signaled it might be ready for negotiations upon which the PKK announced a ceasefire in 2013, but which collapsed around 2015 because of domestic Turkish politics and the Syrian civil war.