Turkey’s pro-Kurdish political party said on Tuesday that Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the PKK group, will make a “historic call” soon. [Getty]
A delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) on Sunday met with Masoud Barzani, the leader of the ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) in the Iraqi Kurdistan region, and discussed reviving stalled negotiations between Ankara and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
The DEM Party delegation, including lawmakers Pervin Buldan and Sirri Sureyya Onder, recently met Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned PKK leader, twice. According to Barzani’s office, they shared insights from their discussions and delivered a message from Ocalan.
A statement from Barzani’s office described the peace process as “the only viable path” and called for intensified efforts from all sides. The delegation is also scheduled to meet with Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani in the coming days.
Doubts Over Turkey’s Intentions
Despite ongoing talks, some remain sceptical of Turkey’s commitment to peace. Fethullah Husseini, a representative of the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES), accused Ankara of using negotiations for political gain.
“Turkey understands that regional shifts will affect it, but it is not genuinely working towards peace,” Husseini told The New Arab. He argued that a lasting resolution requires Ocalan’s release, recognition of Kurdish rights, and democratic reforms. Without these, he warned, “the PKK will not disarm”.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s government has supported a proposal first introduced in October by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the nationalist MHP party and a close ally, urging Ocalan to call for the PKK’s disarmament.
DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakirhan announced that Ocalan is preparing a “historic call” on resolving the Kurdish issue. Though initially expected on 15 February, the announcement was reportedly delayed pending discussions with Kurdish parties.
KCK: No Progress Without Ending Isolation
Besê Hozat, Co-Chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), said that no meaningful peace is possible while Ocalan remains isolated.
“Without lifting his restrictions, expecting a real solution is unrealistic,” she told the KCK official website, accusing Turkey of contradictory actions—talking peace while escalating military operations against Kurdish forces.
The PKK, classified as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US, and the EU, has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984.
Peace talks collapsed in 2015, and violence has since claimed over 40,000 lives. The PKK is a banned party in Iraq but operates bases in the Qandil Mountains, located at the border intersection of Iraq, Turkey, and Iran.
Despite political manoeuvres, Turkey continues military campaigns against Kurdish groups in Syria and Iraq. Kurdish leaders claim that Erdogan’s government “thrives on conflict” and is unlikely to fully commit to peace.
As discussions unfold and Ocalan’s statement looms, questions remain over whether Turkey will take real steps towards resolving the conflict.
