By: TII team
Date: January 10, 2025
Kurdish politicians Sirri Sureyya Onder (center), Ahmet Turk (right), and Pervin Buldan, who spearheaded the peace talks between the Turkish government and imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, January 2025.
Photo: Screengrab/VOA News video/The Insight International
ANKARA,— As Turkey seeks to end a 40-year-old conflict with Kurdish militants, talks aimed at fostering peace have raised hopes, but challenges remain due to ongoing tensions in Syria and the uncertain stance of Ankara.
Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been fighting against Turkey since 1984, has indicated a willingness to encourage his group to cease hostilities.
According to sources, Ocalan, held since 1999 on Imrali Island, has expressed interest in guiding a peace process. The PKK conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives and led to significant economic and political divisions, particularly in Turkish Kurdistan, the Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast region.
In late December 2024, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Democratic Peoples’ Party (DEM) met with Ocalan and began talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Both sides have called the discussions “positive,” sparking cautious optimism. According to Reuters sources, DEM is expected to meet Ocalan again on January 15, 2025 to outline a clearer roadmap for peace talks.
Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit, deputy chair of DEM’s parliamentary group, told Reuters, “We expect the process to take shape and a clear framework for peace to be established.”
Kocyigit added that Ocalan had emphasized the importance of a “democratic transformation” in Turkey. Kurds have long advocated for greater political autonomy, cultural rights, and economic development. Additionally, DEM has reiterated its demand for Ocalan’s release, which remains a significant issue in negotiations.
However, the peace process is complicated by the ongoing situation in neighboring Syria. With Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime weakened and Turkish-backed forces opposing Kurdish groups in Syrian Kurdistan, Ankara has warned of a potential military operation against Syrian Kurdish militias unless they disband.
The YPG (People’s Defense Units), a Syrian Kurdish militia, has been an important ally of the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State but is considered by Turkey to be an extension of the PKK. This situation has further complicated efforts to bring peace to both Turkey and the broader region.
The dynamics of the peace process have shifted significantly due to Syria’s changing political landscape. A leading PKK figure recently stated that the group supports Ocalan’s peace efforts, though they did not comment on disarmament.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Kurdish leadership has proposed that foreign fighters, including PKK members, leave Syria as part of an agreement with Turkey to avoid further conflict.
Managing this peace process against the backdrop of military tensions in Syria presents a major challenge for Turkey. As Kocyigit put it, “You cannot point guns at the Kurds in Kobani and talk about peace in Turkey.
The Kurdish issue is a complex matter, and it must be addressed not only in Turkey’s context but also considering international implications.”
While Turkey’s government has been cautious about discussing the specifics of the peace talks, Erdogan’s allies in the AKP have expressed optimism. Abdullah Guler, a senior AKP figure, said that the government is committed to resolving the issue this year, calling the current peace process “completely different” from past failed negotiations.
A senior AKP MP indicated that conditions may be ripe for the PKK to disarm by February. However, Guler clarified that a general amnesty for PKK members is not on the agenda.
Despite these optimistic statements, many Kurds remain skeptical, reflecting a history of failed peace efforts. A recent poll by SAMER, a Turkish research organization, showed that only 27% of respondents in the southeast and major Turkish cities believe the current peace process will lead to meaningful change.
The collapse of earlier peace talks in 2015 led to a resurgence in violence and harsh government crackdowns on pro-Kurdish groups.
For many Kurds, trust in the peace process hinges largely on Erdogan’s stance. Kocyigit stressed that Erdogan’s clear, direct support for the negotiations would boost confidence in the process. “If Erdogan openly backs the talks, it would significantly increase public support,” she said.
However, Erdogan has continued his hardline rhetoric against the PKK, warning that those who choose violence will “be buried with their weapons.” He has also reiterated his threat of military action against Kurdish forces in Syria, stating that, “We may come suddenly one night.” These remarks, observers say, have dampened the prospects of restoring trust among the Kurdish population.
The political climate in Turkey remains divided, with many Turks still harboring resentment toward Ocalan and the PKK due to decades of violence. Mehmet Naci Armagan, a resident of Istanbul, expressed his opposition to peace talks, saying, “I am not in favor of such bargaining or talks. I consider this as a disrespect to our martyrs [soldiers] and their families.”
In response to the tensions, the Turkish government has outlined a $14 billion development plan aimed at addressing the economic disparities between the southeast and the rest of the country, which could play a role in easing some of the tensions.
As Turkey navigates these delicate negotiations, it faces the difficult task of reconciling its internal political divisions, regional security concerns, and the complex dynamics of Kurdish aspirations both at home and across its borders.
A resolution to the Kurdish conflict would likely be welcomed by many in Turkey, but the country remains deeply divided over how to move forward. As Erdogan’s comments continue to influence public opinion, the fate of the peace process will depend on whether the government can reconcile its internal and external challenges while addressing the longstanding grievances of the Kurdish population.
(Credit: Reuters)
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
ANKARA,— As Turkey seeks to end a 40-year-old conflict with Kurdish militants, talks aimed at fostering peace have raised hopes, but challenges remain due to ongoing tensions in Syria and the uncertain stance of Ankara.
Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned Kurdish leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which has been fighting against Turkey since 1984, has indicated a willingness to encourage his group to cease hostilities.
According to sources, Ocalan, held since 1999 on Imrali Island, has expressed interest in guiding a peace process. The PKK conflict has claimed more than 40,000 lives and led to significant economic and political divisions, particularly in Turkish Kurdistan, the Turkey’s Kurdish-majority southeast region.
In late December 2024, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Democratic Peoples’ Party (DEM) met with Ocalan and began talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).
Both sides have called the discussions “positive,” sparking cautious optimism. According to Reuters sources, DEM is expected to meet Ocalan again on January 15, 2025 to outline a clearer roadmap for peace talks.
Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit, deputy chair of DEM’s parliamentary group, told Reuters, “We expect the process to take shape and a clear framework for peace to be established.”
Kocyigit added that Ocalan had emphasized the importance of a “democratic transformation” in Turkey. Kurds have long advocated for greater political autonomy, cultural rights, and economic development. Additionally, DEM has reiterated its demand for Ocalan’s release, which remains a significant issue in negotiations.
However, the peace process is complicated by the ongoing situation in neighboring Syria. With Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime weakened and Turkish-backed forces opposing Kurdish groups in Syrian Kurdistan, Ankara has warned of a potential military operation against Syrian Kurdish militias unless they disband.
The YPG (People’s Defense Units), a Syrian Kurdish militia, has been an important ally of the U.S. in the fight against the Islamic State but is considered by Turkey to be an extension of the PKK. This situation has further complicated efforts to bring peace to both Turkey and the broader region.
The dynamics of the peace process have shifted significantly due to Syria’s changing political landscape. A leading PKK figure recently stated that the group supports Ocalan’s peace efforts, though they did not comment on disarmament.
Meanwhile, the Syrian Kurdish leadership has proposed that foreign fighters, including PKK members, leave Syria as part of an agreement with Turkey to avoid further conflict.
Managing this peace process against the backdrop of military tensions in Syria presents a major challenge for Turkey. As Kocyigit put it, “You cannot point guns at the Kurds in Kobani and talk about peace in Turkey.
The Kurdish issue is a complex matter, and it must be addressed not only in Turkey’s context but also considering international implications.”
While Turkey’s government has been cautious about discussing the specifics of the peace talks, Erdogan’s allies in the AKP have expressed optimism. Abdullah Guler, a senior AKP figure, said that the government is committed to resolving the issue this year, calling the current peace process “completely different” from past failed negotiations.
A senior AKP MP indicated that conditions may be ripe for the PKK to disarm by February. However, Guler clarified that a general amnesty for PKK members is not on the agenda.
Despite these optimistic statements, many Kurds remain skeptical, reflecting a history of failed peace efforts. A recent poll by SAMER, a Turkish research organization, showed that only 27% of respondents in the southeast and major Turkish cities believe the current peace process will lead to meaningful change.
The collapse of earlier peace talks in 2015 led to a resurgence in violence and harsh government crackdowns on pro-Kurdish groups.
For many Kurds, trust in the peace process hinges largely on Erdogan’s stance. Kocyigit stressed that Erdogan’s clear, direct support for the negotiations would boost confidence in the process. “If Erdogan openly backs the talks, it would significantly increase public support,” she said.
However, Erdogan has continued his hardline rhetoric against the PKK, warning that those who choose violence will “be buried with their weapons.” He has also reiterated his threat of military action against Kurdish forces in Syria, stating that, “We may come suddenly one night.” These remarks, observers say, have dampened the prospects of restoring trust among the Kurdish population.
The political climate in Turkey remains divided, with many Turks still harboring resentment toward Ocalan and the PKK due to decades of violence. Mehmet Naci Armagan, a resident of Istanbul, expressed his opposition to peace talks, saying, “I am not in favor of such bargaining or talks. I consider this as a disrespect to our martyrs [soldiers] and their families.”
In response to the tensions, the Turkish government has outlined a $14 billion development plan aimed at addressing the economic disparities between the southeast and the rest of the country, which could play a role in easing some of the tensions.
As Turkey navigates these delicate negotiations, it faces the difficult task of reconciling its internal political divisions, regional security concerns, and the complex dynamics of Kurdish aspirations both at home and across its borders.
A resolution to the Kurdish conflict would likely be welcomed by many in Turkey, but the country remains deeply divided over how to move forward. As Erdogan’s comments continue to influence public opinion, the fate of the peace process will depend on whether the government can reconcile its internal and external challenges while addressing the longstanding grievances of the Kurdish population.
(Credit: Reuters)
Copyright © 2025 The Insight International. All rights reserved
No comments:
Post a Comment