Jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Öcalan has hinted he is willing to hold peace talks with the Turkish government. The Kurdish rebel leader is serving a life sentence on the island of Imrali.
The Kurdish leader was recently given permission for the first time in many years to meet with a delegation from the Democratic Emancipation Movement (DEM). According to several sources, the current political situation and the need for a peaceful solution were discussed at length.
In the southeast of Turkey, Kurds have been fighting for autonomy for decades. Kurdish groups are also active in the north of Iraq and Syria, each with their own organizations and their own political and military leaders. The Turkish PKK is just one of them. There has been an autonomous region of Kurdistan in the region for over 20 years, with some international cooperation, but without official recognition. Despite all kinds of promises, rapprochements and commitments, there is hardly any joint Kurdish action.
The alleged talks with the DEM delegation are said to have shown that there is cautious optimism on both sides about the feasibility of a renewed peace process. It is also emphasized that the role of the Kurdish community at home and abroad is crucial for lasting success.
Several regional news outlets speak of a new tone in Öcalan's statements. He is optimistic about the possibility of ending the decades-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state. The Turkish government has not reported anything about the meeting and discussion.
According to a report by a Kurdish news agency in Switzerland, Öcalan sees room for a “new phase of rapprochement” between the PKK and Ankara. The article emphasizes that he has not been so open to dialogue for a long time. No concrete details were given about possible conditions. Öcalan’s willingness would also depend on how seriously the government in Ankara approaches the talks.
A news article by Hawar News elaborates on what Öcalan is said to have said about a “solution-oriented policy” of the Turkish government. It also revealed that, despite his isolated detention, he still wants to remain closely involved in possible decision-making.
The English-language Turkish newspaper Daily Sabah pays particular attention to the support that Öcalan seems to express for a “terror-free Türkiye” approach. He is said to have suggested that he is not only ready to end the armed conflict, but also wants to think about a broader social reconciliation. According to him, this reconciliation would only have a chance of success if 'other interested parties' (?) also make efforts to reduce the tensions between Kurds and the Turkish government.
The news site Kurdistan24 largely agrees with this and also underlines Öcalan's "readiness" for peace negotiations. According to this pro-Kurdish website, a formal start of talks would only be possible if the Turkish government provides guarantees for the safety of all parties involved.
Although the Turkish authorities have so far been reserved, there are signs that a future dialogue is not excluded. The combination of Öcalan's statements and the support he says he wants to give to a "peace initiative" gives the impression that an opening move could come from İmralı. How the Erdogan government will respond to this remains uncertain for the time being.