PKK ringleader Ocalan calls for disarmament, but how did Türkiye’s opposition react?
An image showing terrorist organization PKK members with a flag depicting the image of PKK's ringleader Abdullah Ocalan.
Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed ringleader of the PKK terrorist group, issued a highly anticipated statement on Thursday, calling for an end to armed conflict. Ocalan urged the PKK to lay down arms and cease fighting against the state of Türkiye.
The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has waged a 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, resulting in the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and the elderly. The YPG is the PKK’s affiliate in Syria.
Reactions from the Turkish opposition to PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan’s call to “lay down arms” have varied. Ocalan’s written call, announced by the delegation from Türkiye’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Istanbul, stirred political debate in Ankara.
The announcement follows weeks of speculation after multiple visits by DEM Party officials to Imrali Island, where Ocalan has been serving a life sentence since his capture in Kenya in 1999.
‘We will look at the result’
Before addressing opposition reactions, it is worth noting one of the most significant statements from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) so far.
Although there has been no official comment from AK Party leader and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, AK Party Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala commented on Ocalan’s call during a live broadcast.
Ala stated, “The essence of the call is the disarmament of the group and its dissolution. That’s the essence. We will look at the result. Of course, we, as Türkiye, will see whether this result is achieved.”
‘A dirty bargain’
So, how has the opposition in Türkiye reacted to Ocalan’s call? The main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) stated that steps to end terrorism under the rule of law and in consultation with victims would be supported within the framework of the Turkish Parliament.
On the other hand, the Good Party (IYI Party) described the recent process as a “dirty bargain” and indicated they would not be part of it.
Main opposition CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel emphasized the need to gain the consent of the victims of terrorism, saying, “We maintain our position that the Kurdish issue should be addressed and resolved under the Turkish Parliament, with transparency and by involving all segments of society.”
The main opposition CHP held an extraordinary meeting of its Central Executive Board (MYK) to evaluate Ocalan’s call. Afterward, Ozel issued a written statement on his X account. Ozel said, “As the CHP, we continue our historical consistency on the democratic resolution of all the problems in our country. Likewise, we have always opposed every form of terrorism and violence, and we will continue to do so.”
Ozel also sent a message to Erdogan and the AK Party government regarding the solution through Ocalan’s call, adding, “The call for the disarmament of the terrorist organization and its dissolution is significant. We hope that the necessary actions are taken by those responsible and that terrorism, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused severe economic and social damage, ends forever.”
‘Turning baby killer into a peace dove’
Meanwhile, the IYI Party also held a closed extraordinary meeting with its General Administrative Board (GIK) and deputies.
IYI Party leader Müsavat Dervisoglu, after evaluating Ocalan’s call with party leadership and deputies, made a statement, saying, “This is a call for the PKK to move its office from northern Iraq to northern Syria,” and added, “This process is the product of a dirty bargain, just as dirty as the deal itself. Türkiye is on the brink of falling into an unprecedented pit of despotism fueled by the ambitions of one man’s pursuit of power and titles.”
Dervisoglu also emphasized the increasing state-building efforts of PYD-YPG in Syria, stating, “This government, which dares to turn a baby killer into a peace dove, is incorporating the PKK into the Republic Alliance state under the guise of dissolving the PKK. Whatever the name or justification, this process is an attempt to manipulate the definition of the nation in exchange for a lifetime presidency deal and serves no other purpose.”
“Rest assured, there is no lie this government won’t tell or domestic and foreign concession they won’t make to achieve their goal. At the end of this road, which claims to lead to a ‘terror-free Türkiye,’ terror will turn into a state. The name PKK will be dissolved, but the PYD-YPG state will be established,” he added.
‘Historic development’
On the other hand, Future Party Chairman and former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said, “In conditions where the international system is shaken and our region is in a ring of fire, every call and step taken toward strengthening our country’s internal unity and eliminating terrorism is positive.”
Meanwhile, DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan also expressed a positive response, stating, “I welcome the announcement made by the Imrali delegation of the DEM Party this evening. The disarmament and dissolution of the PKK terrorist organization would be a historic development.”
However, the far-right Victory Party criticized the process in a statement on its social media account, saying, “As the Victory Party, we will undermine this murky process, which is called ‘Solution’ but is actually ‘Betrayal.'”
Victory Party Deputy Chairman Ali Sehirlioglu stated that party leader Umit Ozdag is imprisoned at Marmara Prison in Istanbul due to the “process” and emphasized that efforts are underway to grant political freedom to Ocalan, adding that they will continue to oppose this process.
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