Kurdish leaders calls on Turkey to halt military operations against PKK to pave way for peace

ISTANBUL / ANKARA — Prominent Kurdish political figures have urged Turkey to cease military operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) along the border with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), arguing that continued hostilities undermine prospects for peace. Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democratic Party (Halkların Eşitlik ve Demokrasi Partisi, DEM Party) Tülay Hatimoğulları emphasized that Turkey must halt its campaigns to enable the PKK to hold a historic congress.

Öcalan’s Call for Peace Met with Continued Attacks

The appeals for a ceasefire follow an unprecedented statement by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, expressing his willingness to dissolve the group as part of a broader peace initiative. Despite this significant overture, Turkish military operations targeting PKK positions in northern Iraq’s mountainous regions have persisted.

Hatimoğulları stressed that Turkey must create conditions for Öcalan to engage in discussions freely. “For the PKK to hold its congress, Turkey must first stop its military operations along the Kurdistan Region border,” she said. She also called for ensuring Öcalan a dignified life and appropriate conditions for his involvement in the peace process.

Critical Test for Erdoğan’s Commitment to Peace

Hatimoğulları placed the onus on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace. “To establish peace and democracy in Turkey, words alone are not enough. Action and implementation are necessary, and these are expected from the state authorities,” she asserted, urging the government to take tangible steps.

Her comments reflect growing concerns over whether Erdoğan’s administration is serious about resolving the Kurdish issue through political means or if military operations will remain its primary approach.

Kurdish Officials Demand Turkish Military Restraint

Mustafa Karasu, member of the KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council, echoed Hatimoğulları’s concerns in an interview with Medya Haber, urging the Turkish military to respect the PKK’s declared ceasefire and end its offensives.

Karasu reaffirmed the PKK’s commitment to Öcalan’s call for disbandment and the cessation of armed struggle but emphasized that progress depends on the Turkish state’s willingness to implement substantial democratic reforms. “This can only be realized if the state and authorities commit to real democratic reforms without making excuses,” he stated.

What’s Next for the Peace Process?

The current impasse poses a crucial test for both the Turkish government and the PKK. While Öcalan’s willingness to negotiate is seen as a significant opportunity for peace, ongoing military operations risk eroding trust and blocking meaningful dialogue.

If Turkey does not halt its military activities, the prospects of holding a PKK congress — and achieving a long-term resolution to the Kurdish conflict — remain uncertain. Political analysts warn that failure to seize this moment could lead to a renewed cycle of violence, further complicating efforts for peace.

As the situation develops, the international community will closely monitor whether Turkey shifts toward a political solution or doubles down on its military strategy against the PKK.