“We maintain that the work, which we launched to achieve our goal of a terror-free Turkiye, in line with our roadmap. Our state has done its part by ensuring that a call has been issued,” Erdogan said in his Eid al-Fitr message, as cited by the presidency-affiliated Turkish communications directorate.
“Now, it is the organization’s [PKK] turn to apply the call without any ifs and buts,” he stressed.
PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a historic message in late February telling the group to convene a congress and “make the decision to integrate with the state and society; all groups should lay down their arms and the PKK should dissolve itself.”
The message was relayed through the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) that has been mediating peace efforts between Ankara and the PKK, including holding meetings with Ocalan.
The PKK leader’s message sparked hope for an end to the conflict that has taken 40,000 lives.
“Our time and patience are not limitless in this regard,” Erdogan warned, adding that Ankara expects the PKK to dissolve and disband “completely without further delay.”
He added that current regional and global dynamics present a “more favorable than ever” opportunity for the peace talks to succeed.
Earlier in March, Erdogan called on the PKK to seize the “historic opportunity” to end the 40-year conflict and dissolve. “Otherwise, we will look to finalize our strategy of destroying terrorism at its source,” he warned.
Following Ocalan’s message, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire but set their leader’s release from prison as a precondition to laying down arms and disbanding. The group said it cannot make such decisions without the physical attendance of their leader at the congress he urged for.
Murat Karayilan, a senior PKK commander, said earlier this month that Ocalan should be involved in all stages of such a meeting, including possibly participating remotely, saying that his involvement must go beyond a single message or symbolic appearance.
“If a congress is held, Leader Apo [Ocalan] should be informed about all stages and decisions made and should be able to respond,” Karayilan added.
Ocalan, who founded the PKK in 1978 and launched a war against the Turkish state six years later, has been jailed on Imrali Island since 1999.
The PKK initially demanded the establishment of an independent Kurdistan but now calls for autonomy. The group is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey.
