MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli praises broad support for Öcalan’s call for peace as tensions escalate in Northern Iraq

ANKARA — Devlet Bahçeli, leader of Turkey’s Nationalist Movement Party (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi, MHP), expressed support for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) leadership’s endorsement of Abdullah Öcalan’s 27 February call for peace. Bahçeli described the move as serving the interests of all parties involved.

Organizational Unity or Political Strategy?

In recent remarks, Bahçeli characterized the PKK leadership’s alignment with Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on İmralı Island, as a demonstration of organizational cohesion. “At this stage, their rallying around İmralı represents structural unity, which ultimately benefits everyone,” he stated.

Bahçeli added that Turkey is on the brink of a transformative era. “We stand at the threshold of a new century, free of terrorism. Only moments remain before the dawn of security and national tranquility rises,” he proclaimed.

Unprecedented Contact with Demirtaş

Reports have surfaced of a phone conversation between Bahçeli and Selahattin Demirtaş, former Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (Halkların Demokratik Partisi, HDP), who has been imprisoned in Edirne since 2016.

Nagihan Alçı, a columnist for Haber Türk, revealed during a television appearance that her sources confirmed Bahçeli’s direct communication with Demirtaş. Alçı claimed that Bahçeli expressed satisfaction with Demirtaş’s recent support for political developments related to Öcalan’s initiative.

Escalation in Northern Iraq Amid Peace Efforts

Despite these political strides, tensions remain high. Early Sunday morning, a Turkish military helicopter conducted an airstrike along the Lênkê mountain border in the Amedya (Amedi) District in Nohadra (Duhok) Governorate. PKK fighters responded to the attack, marking the eighth such incident since Öcalan issued his latest call for peace.

These developments unfold as Ankara grapples with a complex web of domestic security concerns, ongoing military operations, and shifting political alliances, all against the backdrop of Öcalan’s renewed push for dialogue.

The juxtaposition of escalated conflict and calls for reconciliation highlights the challenging path ahead for Turkey in achieving lasting peace and stability.