PKK announces end of armed conflict with Turkey after 40 years of fighting
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announces it will lay down its arms, ending a four-decade conflict with Turkey that left thousands dead.
In a historic turning point, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced that it will lay down its arms and end an armed conflict that has lasted more than 40 years against the Turkish state.
The announcement was issued through an official statement from one of the group's bases in northern Iraq, where PKK leaders declared that the organization will begin a process of immediate withdrawal and demobilization.
“The time has come to lay down our weapons and seek a political solution based on mutual respect and democratic coexistence,” the statement said.
The conflict between the PKK and Turkey, which began in 1984, has left more than 40,000 dead, including civilians, insurgents, and members of the Turkish security forces. The group, which seeks greater autonomy for the Kurdish people, has been classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Although peace talks have been attempted in the past, all have failed. However, this new announcement comes amid a changed regional situation, with international pressure and an apparent change in strategy within the Kurdish movement.
The Turkish government has yet to issue an official response, although some officials in Ankara have expressed “cautious optimism” about the possibility of a lasting peace.
Human rights organizations and international observers have hailed the announcement as a historic opportunity for reconciliation, provided that the rights of the Kurdish people are respected and disarmament is enforced.
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