Turkey Must Act on Ocalan's Freedom for Peace Process to Succeed, PKK Warns
A senior Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) commander has issued a stark warning to Turkey: release imprisoned founder Abdullah Ocalan and take concrete steps towards advancing the peace process, or risk halting it altogether. In a statement, Amed Malazgirt said that all steps initiated by Ocalan had been taken and that the group would now wait for the Turkish state to act.
The PKK has two main demands: Ocalan's freedom and recognition of the Kurdish people in Turkey. Female senior commander Serda Mazlum Gabar stressed that as long as Ocalan is imprisoned, the Kurdish people cannot be free, nor can the guerrillas themselves feel truly free.
Ocalan, 76, has been holding the peace process from his cell on Imrali island since 1999. Turkish lawmakers visited him earlier this week, marking a rare gesture of goodwill.
Despite this, tensions remain high. The PKK has taken several significant steps towards ending its decades-long conflict with Turkey, including formally renouncing its armed struggle and holding ceremonies in which fighters burned their weapons. However, Ankara must now follow suit.
"We have committed to not using weapons against the Turkish state," Malazgirt said. "By establishing this committee, the Turkish state has made a positive move, but it is not the only action needed. We are closely monitoring this mission."
The PKK's stance is clear: Turkey must take concrete steps towards peace if it hopes to succeed. Otherwise, the group will continue its struggle, using different methods, but ultimately, the guerrilla way of life cannot be eradicated.
Turkey has set up a cross-party parliamentary commission to lay the groundwork for the peace process and prepare a legal framework for the political integration of the PKK and its fighters. However, Malazgirt warned that this is just a starting point, and more must be done.
As Ocalan's leadership remains in prison, the Kurdish people remain trapped. The PKK's message to Turkey is clear: release Ocalan, recognize Kurdish rights, and the path to peace will begin. Anything less, and the guerrilla way of life will continue to haunt Turkey.
A senior Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) commander has issued a stark warning to Turkey: release imprisoned founder Abdullah Ocalan and take concrete steps towards advancing the peace process, or risk halting it altogether. In a statement, Amed Malazgirt said that all steps initiated by Ocalan had been taken and that the group would now wait for the Turkish state to act.
The PKK has two main demands: Ocalan's freedom and recognition of the Kurdish people in Turkey. Female senior commander Serda Mazlum Gabar stressed that as long as Ocalan is imprisoned, the Kurdish people cannot be free, nor can the guerrillas themselves feel truly free.
Ocalan, 76, has been holding the peace process from his cell on Imrali island since 1999. Turkish lawmakers visited him earlier this week, marking a rare gesture of goodwill.
Despite this, tensions remain high. The PKK has taken several significant steps towards ending its decades-long conflict with Turkey, including formally renouncing its armed struggle and holding ceremonies in which fighters burned their weapons. However, Ankara must now follow suit.
"We have committed to not using weapons against the Turkish state," Malazgirt said. "By establishing this committee, the Turkish state has made a positive move, but it is not the only action needed. We are closely monitoring this mission."
The PKK's stance is clear: Turkey must take concrete steps towards peace if it hopes to succeed. Otherwise, the group will continue its struggle, using different methods, but ultimately, the guerrilla way of life cannot be eradicated.
Turkey has set up a cross-party parliamentary commission to lay the groundwork for the peace process and prepare a legal framework for the political integration of the PKK and its fighters. However, Malazgirt warned that this is just a starting point, and more must be done.
As Ocalan's leadership remains in prison, the Kurdish people remain trapped. The PKK's message to Turkey is clear: release Ocalan, recognize Kurdish rights, and the path to peace will begin. Anything less, and the guerrilla way of life will continue to haunt Turkey.