PKK declares end to four-decade armed conflict with Turkey at 12th Congress, will transition to democratic political struggle

QANDIL MOUNTAINS — The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) officially announced its disbandment, marking the end of its 40-year armed insurgency against the Turkish state. The decision represents a seismic shift in the political and security dynamics of the region.

The decision was reached during a high-level meeting of the group’s leadership. PKK spokespersons emphasized that the dissolution comes in response to “changing regional dynamics and the evolving aspirations of the Kurdish people.”

The PKK declared that it has fulfilled its historical mission by overcoming policies of denial and destruction and advancing the Kurdish issue toward resolution through democratic means. Consequently, the congress decided to dissolve the PKK’s organizational structure, end its armed struggle, and entrust the transition process to its leader, Abdullah Öcalan.

Despite 27 years of isolation in the İmralı prison system, Öcalan advocated for a peaceful and democratic resolution to the Kurdish issue, said the PKK. Through his resistance, it continued, he developed a paradigm promoting democracy, ecology, and women’s liberation, offering an alternative freedom model for Kurds, women, and oppressed groups worldwide.

The PKK’s 12th Congress emphasized that its legacy of struggle will now advance through democratic politics, fostering a future of freedom and equality. Marginalized groups, including workers, women, youth, and various belief communities, will build a fair and democratic society by defending their rights and promoting a shared, peaceful existence, the group said.

The PKK’s decision to disband and end armed struggle aims to establish a foundation for lasting peace and a democratic solution. This process requires Abdullah Öcalan’s leadership, recognition of democratic political rights, and robust legal guarantees, according to the PKK. The group called on Turkey’s Grand National Assembly, political parties, civil society, media, intellectuals, and various organizations to take responsibility and actively participate in building a peaceful and democratic society.

Historic Milestone

Founded in 1978, the PKK launched its armed struggle in 1984, aiming to establish an independent Kurdish state. Over the decades, the conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused immense displacement. Turkey, the United States, and the European Union have designated the PKK as a terrorist organization, further complicating peace efforts. In recent years, the group had scaled back its military operations, focusing instead on promoting Kurdish cultural and political rights.

While the PKK’s armed struggle has ended, the broader Kurdish movement remains active in advocating for political and cultural rights. Kurdish political parties and civil society organizations have called for renewed efforts to address grievances through peaceful means.

Experts warn, however, that challenges persist. “The disbandment of the PKK does not mean the end of the Kurdish question in Turkey,” said political analyst Dr. Leyla Akın. “It is crucial for both sides to engage in meaningful dialogue to ensure a lasting resolution.”

The PKK’s decision to disband represents a pivotal moment in the region’s history. However, challenges persist, and the underlying grievances of the Kurdish community that led to the formation of the PKK have yet to be fully addressed.