Türkiye moves toward terrorism-free future with clear stance on PKK: Columnist

Turkish columnist Hande Firat delved into the renewed discussions surrounding the resolution process and debates on PKK terrorist group ringleader Abdullah Ocalan in her latest column for the daily Hurriyet.

Firat revisited the historical context of the resolution process, which officially began 11 years ago, and highlighted significant shifts in Türkiye’s counterterrorism landscape since then.

She pointed out that during the early days of the resolution process a decade ago:

• Türkiye was grappling with internal turmoil, such as the FETO terrorist group’s infiltration of state institutions and the fallout from events like the Gezi protests.
• The region faced destabilizing influences, including DAESH’s brutal attacks and U.S.-led geopolitical maneuvers in Syria, complicating Türkiye’s security strategies.
• Negotiations extended to involving PKK leadership in Qandil and Abdullah Ocalan, who demanded his release as part of the talks.

Firat also highlighted a key turning point in 2015 when the process collapsed after the PKK exploited the situation to fortify its presence in southeastern Türkiye and across the border in Syria. This ultimately led to a decisive military response by the Turkish Armed Forces, marking the end of the resolution process.

Why it matters

The return of resolution process debates underscores the complexity of balancing security concerns with long-term peace-building in Türkiye. Firat’s analysis provides critical insight into how Türkiye’s approach has evolved, particularly with its focus on eliminating terrorism at its source.

Details

• Key events from past: The resolution process saw various phases of engagement, including a conditional agreement for the PKK to disarm and withdraw from Türkiye. However, the group’s refusal to lay down arms in Syria created a significant impasse.
• U.S. involvement: Firat pointed to the U.S.’ interest in the region, particularly its efforts to secure control over northern Syria’s oil reserves and support for militia forces. In 2015, the CIA requested a meeting with Ocalan, but Türkiye rejected the proposal outright.
• Breakdown of the process: The collapse of the resolution process culminated in events like the Kobani riots and the PKK’s urban warfare tactics during the “trench wars” (Hendek Olaylari), which led to comprehensive military operations by Türkiye.

Zoom in

Nowadays, Türkiye’s approach to counterterrorism has shifted from negotiations to decisive military operations. Firat emphasized that the number of terrorists within Türkiye has drastically decreased, and the PKK is no longer able to establish footholds within the country. Cross-border operations in Syria and Iraq have further eliminated threats at their source.

Zoom out

Firat’s article also highlights the unexpected call from Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli for Abdullah Ocalan to make a public statement about disarmament. This marks a significant development, as any progress depends on Ocalan’s stance and the government’s subsequent actions. However, Firat noted that Türkiye remains firm in its commitment to reject foreign intervention in any such process.

The bigger picture

The shifts in Türkiye’s counterterrorism strategy underscore its growing strength in navigating complex regional and global challenges. Firat argued that lessons from the failed resolution process have made Türkiye more experienced and uncompromising in its fight against terrorism, while maintaining its sovereignty against external powers like the U.S., Israel, and Iran.