SDF General Commander Abdi hails PKK disbandment as ‘new phase of politics and peace’, but Erdogan says disbandment should include forces in North and East Syria

BETH NAHRIN — At its 12th congress in northern Iraq on 12 May, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) announced an end to its four-decade armed conflict with Turkey and stated it would transition to a democratic political struggle. The historic move, called for by imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, has drawn widespread reactions of cautious optimism from across the Middle East and beyond.

Competing Narratives between SDF and Turkey

General Commander of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) Mazloum Abdi hailed the announcement as a “new phase of politics and peace” in the region. In a statement Monday, he expressed appreciation for the PKK’s decision “to resolve its organizational structure, end the armed struggle, and adopt a democratic approach,” and called on all stakeholders to “offer the necessary support to ensure the success of this process”.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the decision as “important to maintain our country’s security, our region’s stability, and the eternal brotherhood of our nation” but also stated that the disbandment should include forces in North and East Syria as well. “We consider the [PKK] statement as a decision encompassing all extensions of the organization, particularly in Northern Iraq, Syria, and Europe,” he said.

Kurdish and Nationalist Leaders in Turkey Thank Öcalan

Imprisoned former Co-Chair of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (Halkların Demokratik Partisi, HDP) M), Selahattin Demirtaş, thanked the PKK leadership and Öcalan for heeding the peace call. In a handwritten letter relayed by mediator Pervin Buldan, Demirtaş called on Kurds and Turks to “work together sincerely for the realization of peace, prosperity, democracy, freedoms, and for Turkey’s growth in all aspects”.

Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (Milliyetçi Hareket Partisi, MHP), lauded Öcalan’s February call to lay down arms as “historic responsibility” and said the “bloody page written with treachery for 47 years will be closed never to be opened again.” He emphasized that “Turk and Kurd are united and together” in a shared homeland.

Cautious International Optimism

Iraq’s Foreign Ministry described the PKK’s move as “a real opportunity to advance peace efforts and end conflicts,” and expressed hope that it would remove “pretexts and justifications … used to justify the presence of foreign forces on Iraqi territory”.

In a statement, the US Embassy in Turkey quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying, “Terrorist groups laying down their weapons is always a victory for civilization. The PKK’s decision to dissolve marks a turning point.” The US reaffirmed its support for Turkey as it “moves toward lasting peace and security”.

While calling the PKK’s decision “a significant step to break the decades-long spiral of terror, violence, and retaliation,” the German Foreign Ministry warned that it “cannot by itself be taken as an occasion to revoke the current classification of the PKK as a terrorist organization.” It stressed that any lasting solution must include “respect for and protection of the cultural and democratic rights of Kurds in Turkey”.