Orla Guerin, a senior international correspondent for Reuters, reported that Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, called on the group to disarm in February. After 40 years and 40,000 casualties, the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, the PKK, is ending its war against the Turkish state without achieving a Kurdish homeland. This marks the conclusion of one of the world’s longest conflicts, impacting Turkey, its Kurdish minority, and neighboring countries. While a spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party hailed it as a step towards a terror-free country, the PKK’s disarming has raised questions about what they will gain in return. Many, like Necmettin Bilmez and Mehmet Ek, remain skeptical but hopeful for peace and reconciliation. The conflict’s toll on Diyarbakir, a majority Kurdish city in southeastern Turkey, is evident, with locals expressing a desire for an end to the violence. The PKK’s decision to lay down its arms followed a plea by its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, who emphasized the importance of democracy. Despite calls for Ocalan’s release, he remains incarcerated on an island off Istanbul. Supporters, like Menice, believe his freedom is crucial for Kurdish liberation. Menice, who lost her son in a Turkish airstrike after he joined the PKK, hopes for peace and the return of her surviving son. Amidst the personal tragedies caused by the conflict, there is a cautious optimism for a peaceful resolution between Turkey and the Kurds, with political parties and leaders playing a significant role in the process. Orla Guerun
Und regionale Veränderung, in Iran und Syrien, bedeutet, dass die militanten Gruppen und ihre Partner weniger Freiheit haben, um zu agieren.
Beide Seiten haben ihre Gründe, um jetzt einen Deal zu machen. Das könnte Grund zur Hoffnung sein.