Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has called on the militant group and its affiliates to lay down their arms and dissolve.

The announcement, made through pro-Kurdish politicians on Thursday, signals a possible end to the 40-year conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Ocalan’s statement, delivered from his prison cell on Imrali Island, was read aloud by the Imrali Delegation, a group of Dem Party politicians who visited him. He reflected on the PKK’s origins, stating, “The PKK was born in the 20th century, in the most violent epoch of humanity,” citing the denial of Kurdish identity and suppression of rights as initial justifications for armed struggle. However, he asserted that recent democratic reforms in Türkiye and shifting regional dynamics have made armed resistance unnecessary. “All groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself,” he declared, extending the call to PKK-affiliated factions in Syria and Iran.

Rejecting demands for a separate Kurdish state or autonomy, Ocalan instead advocated for a democratic society where identities are respected, and self-expression is safeguarded through democratic consensus. “There is no alternative to democracy,” he stated, emphasizing peaceful coexistence over division.

Ocalan’s statement follows months of discreet negotiations between him and Turkish authorities. These discussions were publicly acknowledged last year by Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In October, Bahceli proposed allowing Ocalan to address parliament to formalize the PKK’s dissolution, potentially paving the way for his release under Türkiye’s “right to hope” principle, which limits sentences to 25 years. Ocalan has been incarcerated since 1999, serving a life sentence for terrorism-related charges.

Regional tensions, particularly between Israel and Iran, are believed to be driving Ankara’s urgency to resolve the Kurdish issue. Turkish officials reportedly see the conflict as a potential strategic vulnerability and are prioritizing peace efforts for both national and regional stability. A Turkish source told Middle East Eye that Ankara expects the PKK to comply with Ocalan’s directive, warning that any factions refusing to disarm will face “the full force of the military and the law.”

Reactions to Ocalan’s call have been swift. Salih Muslim, co-chair of the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), a PKK affiliate, told Al-Arabiya that his group supports the statement. “If the reasons for carrying weapons disappear, we will lay them down,” he stated, awaiting the final decision from the PKK leadership in Iraq’s Qandil mountains. PKK leaders have historically pledged loyalty to Ocalan’s directives, though resistance from some factions remains a possibility.

The talks also suggest a broader diplomatic shift. Insiders hint at a potential arrangement with Syrian Kurdish groups like the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a crucial partner in the fight against the Islamic State. While Erdogan has largely stayed in the background, delegating political risks to Bahceli, his occasional remarks suggest he remains involved in overseeing the process.

Classified as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the EU, and the U.S. due to its attacks on civilians, the PKK’s potential disbandment could mark the end of a violent chapter in Türkiye’s history. As the region closely watches, Ocalan’s call may serve as a pivotal moment for peace—or another fragile hope in a conflict long defined by deep-seated mistrust. (ILKHA)