International reactions have been pouring in following the historic announcement by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) that it will disband and end its four-decade-long armed struggle against Turkey. This significant development has been met with widespread optimism, accompanied by calls for a comprehensive peace process.
The European Union welcomed the PKK’s disbandment, urging all parties to “seize the moment” and work towards a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue. EU foreign affairs spokesperson Anouar El Anouni stressed the importance of launching a credible peace process aimed at finding a political solution.
The German Foreign Office expressed its support for the disbandment of the PKK, describing it as a “historic opportunity” to break the cycle of violence. The office also emphasised that “full implementation and a political process are necessary for a viable solution”.
The US Embassy in Turkey also responded positively, calling the PKK’s dissolution “a turning point”. The US embassy added that Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and reiterated Washington’s support for Ankara “as it moves toward lasting peace and security”.
The announcement follows a call by imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in February 2025 for the group to disarm and disband for political reconciliation. The PKK, convening at a congress in northern Iraq last week, subsequently decided to dissolve its organisational structure and end its armed struggle.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called the decision “the beginning of a new era” for Turkey, highlighting the potential for a shift toward national unity and democratic reform. The move comes after years of tension, broken ceasefires, and intermittent peace talks, including the 2013-2015 negotiations that ultimately stalled. However, Öcalan’s call for disarmament marks the latest effort to secure a political solution to the conflict.
Related articles:
PKK announces successful convention of 12th congress, details to be shared ‘very soon’From handshake to ceasefire: Turkey’s fragile path to Kurdish peace and democracy
The development has significant potential to reshape regional dynamics, particularly with regard to Kurdish groups in Syria and Iraq. While the announcement has sparked optimism, it is tempered by the recognition that the successful implementation of the disarmament process and the establishment of an inclusive peace process are critical to ensuring long-term stability in the region. The development carries immense historical weight, potentially bringing an end to one of the longest running conflicts in the Middle East.
