In a significant development for Middle Eastern geopolitics, Abdullah Ocalan, the incarcerated founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has confirmed the completion of the initial phase of his organization’s dissolution. The message was conveyed by Mithat Sancar, a parliamentarian from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party, following a three-hour meeting with Ocalan at his Imrali Island prison.
Sancar reported Ocalan’s declaration that ‘the first phase has concluded with the dissolution of the organisation and the termination of armed struggle,’ marking a potential watershed moment in the four-decade conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The PKK leader now emphasizes transitioning to a second phase focused on ‘integration aspects’ – what he terms ‘democratic integration.’
This transformation follows Ocalan’s historic February 2023 appeal for the PKK and its regional affiliates – including branches in Syria, Iran, and Iraq under the Group of Communities in Kurdistan (KCK) – to disarm and disband. The PKK formally committed to this directive in March by announcing a ceasefire.
The dissolution process faced complications regarding the status of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), led by the PKK’s Syrian affiliate, the People’s Protection Units (YPG). Escalating clashes between Syrian government forces and the SDF earlier this year threatened to derail the entire process until diplomatic interventions prevailed.
Sancar credited multiple actors for facilitating negotiations, including Iraqi Kurdish leaders Masoud Barzani, Nechirvan Barzani, and Bafel Talabani, while emphasizing Ocalan’s behind-the-scenes role as crucial. US-backed negotiations culminated in a January 30 integration agreement and ceasefire, transferring control of northeastern Syria to Damascus and outlining phased integration of SDF forces into the Syrian army.
Ocalan maintains that integration must transcend mere merger, requiring ‘recognition of existence and rights [of Kurds], democracy, and protection of those gains.’ He has simultaneously demanded improved living and communication conditions at Imrali to contribute effectively to the second phase.
The developments coincide with unexpected support from Devlet Bahceli, chairman of the nationalist MHP party and architect of the PKK deal, who recently advocated for Ocalan to receive the ‘right to hope’ – a Turkish legal principle allowing life-sentenced prisoners possibility of release. Bahceli also called for reinstating removed Kurdish mayors and releasing Kurdish political leader Selahattin Demirtas.