Kurdish People’s Leader Abdullah Öcalan called on the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) to shift the Kurdish issue from a conflict setting toward democratic politics. Following Öcalan’s call, the PKK convened an extraordinary congress, dissolved itself, and on 11 July held a ceremony to burn its weapons in the city of Sulaimaniyah in the Kurdistan Region. 

 

In a statement released on 26 October, the movement announced its withdrawal from Turkey and Kurdistan. Most recently, on 17 November, the movement declared that its guerrilla forces had been pulled back from the Zap area to other zones. In a statement signed by the Movement’s Leadership, it said: “We believe this new step will contribute to resolving the Kurdish issue and to peace and democratisation in Turkey.”

 

Commenting on the ongoing process, Mehmet Kamaç said the Kurdish people have taken steps in line with the spirit of the process, noting that “the dove of peace continues to fly with a single wing.”

 

‘STEPS ARE BEING TAKEN TO ADVANCE THE PROCESS’

 

Kamaç said they are witnessing a unilateral process, adding: “With Mr. Öcalan’s call, the PKK’s decision to dissolve, the burning of weapons and the withdrawal from Bakur (Northern) Kurdistan were followed by the 17 November decision to withdraw from the Zap area. These steps were taken to advance the ‘Peace and Democratic Society’ process. Society expects the Turkish state to take concrete steps, but no concrete action has been taken so far. I believe the state will take such steps soon.”

 

‘THE STEPS TAKEN ARE HISTORIC’

 

Kamaç noted that the movement’s steps are being followed by the international community: “The PKK continues to take concrete steps. These are important steps for global peace. These moves have been described as ‘hopeful’ by states and peoples worldwide. The steps taken are significant and historic. As stated in the announcement, the withdrawal from Zap is meant to prevent provocations against the process.”

 

‘ABDULLAH ÖCALAN’S PHYSICAL FREEDOM MUST BE ENSURED’

 

Kamaç said the physical freedom of Abdullah Öcalan must be secured for the process to succeed: “The Turkish state must urgently take legal steps. Just as the PKK takes steps despite provocations, the state must also act quickly to prevent possible provocations. There are expectations regarding integration laws, prisons, granting status to Kurdish, and many other issues. Most importantly, for this process to succeed, Mr. Öcalan’s conditions must be improved.”

 

KURDISH UNITY

 

Highlighting that Kurdish unity would strongly contribute to the process, Kamaç said their efforts in this regard continue: “Kurdish people are doing more than their share for the process to succeed. The PKK is taking steps, political parties are working on the ground, and as the Democratic Unity Initiative we continue our work. As you know, on 11 May 2025 we declared our establishment. Since then, we have held major meetings across the provinces of Kurdistan, in Northern Kurdistan. We have held two conferences. These efforts are aimed at Kurdish unity. The Middle East is undergoing a historic shift. In the 20th century, during the regional restructuring, the Kurds failed to achieve unity. If we do not secure it in the 21st century, we could face an even worse fate.”

 

Expressing hope for the process, Kamaç concluded: “We trust our people. The Democratic Unity Initiative is conducting its work with a focus on the process. It has also created excitement within society. We believe that unity will be achieved in this period. This is a historic moment, and the process itself is historic. The Middle East is being redesigned in the 21st century, and with this unity we will strengthen our struggle.”

 

MA / Fethi Balaman