PKK declares ceasefire following Öcalan's call
The PKK has announced a ceasefire and pledged to follow leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call for disarmament, emphasizing the need for legal recognition. Öcalan had urged the PKK to dissolve and integrate with the state and society, calling it a historic responsibility.
Duvar English
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on March 1 declared a ceasefire, in line with leader Abdullah Öcalan’s call.
The PKK Executive Committee's statement affirmed its support for Öcalan’s Feb. 27 call, and vowed to fulfill its requirements, according to reporting by the Fırat News Agency.
The PKK’s statement aligned with an additional note that Öcalan sent to the İmralı Delegation, which was not included in his letter.
“We fully endorse the content of this call and pledge to comply with and implement its requirements from our side. However, we emphasize that for success, a suitable environment for democratic politics and legal recognition must also be ensured,” the statement said.
The PKK announced that it declared a ceasefire as of March 1, and that "unless attacked, no armed actions will be carried out by (their) forces."
"The practical implementation of disarmament can only be realized under the direct leadership of Leader Apo [Öcalan],” continued the statement.
The PKK also argued that a safe environment must be established for its congress to convene and that Öcalan must personally oversee the congress.
The İmralı Delegation had announced Öcalan’s message following their third meeting with him at İmralı Prison, where he has been held since 1999.
In his message, Öcalan made a call for disarmament, saying he was "taking on the historic responsibility for it."
"As every contemporary community and party that has not been forcibly dismantled would do voluntarily, convene your congress to integrate with the state and society, make a decision, all groups should lay down arms, and the PKK should dissolve itself,” asserted the leader, claiming that the conditions in which the PKK formed were no longer present.
İmralı Delegation member Sırrı Süreyya Önder also shared a note that Öcalan conveyed to the delegation at the end of their meeting. The note stated, “While presenting this perspective, it is evident that disarmament and the dissolution of the PKK require the recognition of democratic politics and a legal framework.”