2 minutes agoErdogan welcomes the breakup of Kurdish PKK) as step towards “peace and brotherhood”
Periskopi(a year ago)
(a year ago)Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan said on Monday that the decision to break down the militant group, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), was an important step “for preserving peace and brotherhood”, and that Ankara would closely follow this process to avoid any problems. The PKK, which has been at odds with [...]
The PKK, which has been at odds with the Turkish state for more than four decades, has decided to break up and end the armed uprising. The Decision The PKK is expected to have broad political and security implications for the region, including neighbouring Syria, where Kurdish forces are allies of American forces.
Speaking after the cabinet's meeting in Ankara, Erdogan said the doors to a new era would be opened once the PKK hands over weapons, calling it an important step towards Ankara's goal of a country free of terrorism.
He added that Turkey sees this step as a process involving Kurdish militants in Iraq, Syria and Europe.
The PKK, which has been declared a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union, launched its uprising in 1984 with the initial aim of establishing an independent Kurdish state.
In recent years, its demands have shifted towards greater autonomy and rights for Kurds within Turkey.
More than 40,000 people have been killed during the conflict since 1984, when the PKK began its uprising.
Turkey and its Western allies have declared it PKK in terrorist organisation.
The PKK said that the practical process of dissolution and disarming will be managed and monitored by ⇩calan, who has been in prison on an island near Istanbul since 1999.
Wladimir van Wilgenburg, political analyst specialising for Kurdish issues, told Radio Free Europe that the Kurdish community in Turkey was “tired of conflict and hoping for peace”.
However, he added, Kurds are not sure if they can trust the Turkish government, and ask whether Ankara will take steps towards reconciliation, such as the release of Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas, and recognition of Kurdish rights.
So they're somewhat skeptical and uncertain about what might happen”, van Wilgenburg said.
According to the Congress's statement, PKK war “has brought the Kurdish issue to the point of solution through democratic politics, thus fulfilling its historic” mission.
The group did not provide further details as to what exactly this implies, but van Wilgenburg said it is impossible for PKK commanders to get involved in Turkish politics, since there is already a pro-Kurdish active party in Turkey . Democratic People's Party (HDP).
“is most likely to mean that Kurdish politics will, from now on, be developed through Turkey's legal policy and Parliament, not through guerrilla war”, Wladimir van Wilgenburg said.
