Öcalan stated that the pursuit of an autonomous Kurdish administration should no longer occur through armed resistance. He called on his supporters to hand over their weapons to an international commission as a condition for sustainable peace. This emphasizes his earlier change in course, choosing political rather than military means.
Kurdish representatives confirm that preparations are being made to actually begin surrendering weapons. They describe this as a symbolic and practical step that will be taken “soon.”
The Turkish government responded cautiously. Although Öcalan's message is seen as an opening, government officials accuse the Kurdish movement of division and a lack of concrete actions. There are concerns that the call for disarmament is not supported by all Kurdish groups.
The Kurds form an ethnic group without their own state, spread across southeastern Turkey, northern Syria, Iraq, and Iran. In Iraq, they have controlled a semi-autonomous region with their own administration for several decades, but international recognition as an independent country has never been granted.
There are major differences within the Kurdish movement. Rivalries between families, political clans, and military factions regularly lead to conflicts. Several groups accuse each other of corruption, conflicts of interest, and criminal activities. This undermines trust in a unified Kurdish direction.
The imbalance between political and military leaders causes tensions. While some factions seem willing to disarm, other armed units insist on continuing the struggle. This hinders the establishment of a joint agreement on peace terms and autonomy.
Öcalan has been imprisoned in solitary confinement in Turkey for years but remains a moral leader to many. His call for peace could therefore have influence, provided it is followed by actual action. However, whether all fighting groups still recognize his authority remains unclear.
A spokesperson for the political PKK wing, the DEM party, says that on Friday, July 11, in the eastern Turkish region of Suleimani, several dozen former rebels will surrender their weapons. That event will not be broadcast live, but journalists accredited by the DEM will be allowed.