The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced Monday that it is disbanding and laying down its arms, ending a 40-year conflict with the Turkish state.
The decision came after PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who is serving a life sentence on an island near Istanbul, urged the group to disband. In March, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire in response to Öcalan’s call.
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.
In announcing its disbandment, the PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, the U.K., and the U.S., said that it has “completed its historical mission” and will “end the method of armed struggle.”
The group added that, from now on, the Kurdish issue “can be resolved through democratic politics.”
It remains unclear what Öcalan and his supporters might receive in return for disbanding, though there is speculation that he could be granted parole.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed the disbandment, calling it an “important threshold” toward a “terror-free Turkey.” He said the move opens the door to stronger democratic processes and political stability.
The United Nations called it a step toward peace while Syria’s foreign ministry called it a “pivotal moment” for regional stability.
