Syria’s SDF is unlikely to follow the PKK’s lead and disarm, but talks with Damascus could be bolstered.
PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is leading peace efforts to end a Kurdish armed rebellion against Turkiye after four decades.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has announced that it plans to disband and disarm.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has announced that it plans to disband and disarm
Predawn arrest of Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu sets off protests in several cities and likely to continue into the weekend.
![People attend a protest rally in Istanbul, Turkiye, on Thursday, against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu [Emrah Gurel/AP photo]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/AP25079692245644-1742524160.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the PKK’s declaration of a ceasefire after a 40-year conflict
Kurdish group calls on Ankara to release jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, held in near total isolation since 1999.
Turkish president’s comments come as his party urged PKK affiliates in Iraq and Syria to also dissolve and disarm.
Abdullah Ocalan urges the PKK to disarm and dissolve, signalling a possible end to decades of conflict with Turkiye.
The jailed leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) released a letter saying the group should dissolve itself.
![Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the outlawed Kurdish militant group PKK, is seen with politicians and lawmakers of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Ahmet Turk, Pervin Buldan, Sirri Sureyya Onder, Tulay Hatimogullari, Tuncer Bakirhan, Cengiz Cicek and Faik Ozgur Erol, in Imrali Island prison, in Marmara Sea, in Turkey, February 27, 2025. [Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party Handout via Reuters]](https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/2025-02-27T151559Z_1225325094_RC203DAC3IJM_RTRMADP_3_TURKEY-KURDS-OCALAN_cropped-1740682662.jpg?resize=270%2C180&quality=80)
In a historic move, Abdullah Ocalan has asked his party to ‘lay down arms’ and dissolve itself, according to statement.
Turkiye’s arrests of people with alleged “terror” ties come despite a government effort to end Kurdish conflict.
Integrating Syria’s myriad armed groups into unified command structure is a priority of the new government.
Challenges and opportunities await Ankara as its neighbour reimagines itself after decades of dictatorship.
