The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), the militant group engaged in a violent insurgency against Turkey for over 40 years, announced on Monday that it would disband and end its armed struggle, as reported by Reuters.
The decision, confirmed by both PKK members and Turkish leaders, marks a significant shift in the longstanding conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives and placed a heavy economic burden on Turkey.
The PKK, which began its insurgency in 1984 with the goal of establishing an independent Kurdish state, is now ending its armed activities.
This could have positive implications for Turkey`s political and economic stability and may help ease tensions in neighboring Iraq and Syria, where Kurdish forces have worked alongside U.S. troops.
While Turkey welcomed the announcement, the end of the insurgency does not guarantee peace.
The next challenge lies in developing a legal framework to disarm the PKK, which is still classified as a terrorist group by both Turkey and its Western allies.
According to the PKK`s 12th Congress held last week in northern Iraq, the group decided to dissolve its organizational structure and cease all military operations.
However, the handover of weapons depends on Turkey`s approach to Kurdish rights and the fate of PKK fighters and leaders.
The decision to disband follows a February call from the PKK`s jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999.
The PKK said Öcalan would oversee the process. However, it remains unclear whether Turkey will allow him to play a continued role, as polls suggest such a move could be unpopular among the Turkish public.
