Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has reiterated his call for the group’s fighters to disarm, just days ahead of a symbolic ceremony expected to mark the first step in a peace process with the Turkish government.

“It should be considered natural for you to publicly ensure the disarmament of the relevant groups in a way that addresses the expectations of the (Turkish parliament) and its commission, dispels public doubts, and fulfills our commitments,” Ocalan said in a video message. 

“I believe in the power of politics and social peace, not weapons. And I call on you to put this principle into practice,” he added. 

Full video message of Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the PKK, reaffirming his group’s historic departure from armed struggle and reiterating his call for a legislative commission to oversee the peace process with the Turkish state. pic.twitter.com/S2QsUQErB2

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Ocalan, who has been serving a life sentence on Imrali Island since 1999, also urged parliament to establish a committee to oversee the disarmament and peace process. 

Ocalan’s renewed call follows his February appeal for the PKK to dissolve, leading to the group’s formal disbandment in May.

The PKK began its insurgency in 1984, initially seeking an independent Kurdish state. Over time, its focus shifted to securing more autonomy and rights for Turkey’s Kurdish population, which makes up about 20% of the country. The conflict has killed over 40,000 people and led to political and economic strain in the region.

Between 20 and 30 PKK fighters are expected to lay down their arms during the symbolic disarmament ceremony scheduled for Friday in Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq. Aysegul Dogan, spokesperson for Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party, said party members will attend the event.

In a speech to lawmakers from his ruling party, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan voiced optimism about the peace initiative, saying he expected progress soon.

“Once the wall of terror is torn down, God willing, everything will change. More pain and tears will be prevented,” Erdogan said. “The winners of this (process) will be the whole of Turkey — Turks, Kurds and Arabs. Then it will be our entire region.”

Erdogan also expressed hope that the process would conclude “without any road accidents, and without it being sabotaged by dark and corrupt circles.”