Medya News’s latest podcast episode features a detailed discussion on the Kurdish peace process in Turkey following the historic dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Political analyst Kemal Chomani and spokesperson for international affairs of the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) Nilüfer Koç unpack the motives behind the PKK’s move and the lack of a reciprocal roadmap from Ankara.
The PKK has ended its armed campaign and formally dissolved its organisational structures, marking a historic shift in Turkey’s decades-long conflict with its Kurdish population. The move, announced on 12 May 2025, follows a call for peace by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan on 27 February, and is seen by many as a pivotal moment that could open the door to political resolution.
KNK spokesperson Nilüfer Koç says the PKK had fulfilled its original aim. “The PKK achieved its goal of raising awareness on the Kurdish issue and breaking the century-old policy of denial and annihilation of the Kurdish people in Turkey,” she said.
Founded in 1978, the PKK launched its armed struggle in 1984 in response to brutal assimilation policies targeting Kurds in Turkey. Since then, it has been at the centre of a bloody conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives, mostly Kurdish civilians. Koç noted that the actions of the PKK brought the Kurdish identity to the fore not only within Turkey but also across the wider region and diaspora.
She emphasised that with the PKK stepping back, responsibility now shifts to the Turkish state and its Western allies. “The Kurds are not the problem but the solution; they are becoming key players in the Middle East,” she said, adding that the dissolution of the group removes a long-standing pretext used by Ankara and NATO countries for ignoring Kurdish demands for democratic rights.
Despite Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calling the disbanding of the PKK a “pivotal step for national unity”, concrete reforms have yet to materialise. Koç voiced scepticism about the Turkish government’s intentions: “Turkey is playing with time, using positive words to gloss over the lack of political will,” she said.
Among the unresolved issues are Öcalan’s continued imprisonment on İmralı Island, the absence of legal and constitutional reform, and the state’s ongoing policy of appointing trustees to replace elected pro-Kurdish officials—most recently seen in crackdowns on the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party.
Kamal Chomani, a Kurdish analyst and PhD candidate at the University of Leipzig, highlighted Öcalan’s enduring influence. “Öcalan has the patience to approach this process strategically, prioritising Turkey’s democratisation over his own freedom,” he said. He warned, however, that Ankara’s reluctance to release Öcalan or improve the conditions of his detention suggest a lack of political will. “Turkey must provide legal guarantees and a clear vision if it is serious about resolving the Kurdish question,” Chomani added.
The international dimensions of the Kurdish issue were also raised in the interview. Koç criticised the West for its framing of the PKK as a terrorist entity due to Turkey’s membership of NATO. “The PKK is gone. How will you deal now with 50 million Kurds?” she asked, calling for a new paradigm in international diplomacy.
The end of the PKK’s armed campaign follows decades of failed peace efforts, including notable attempts at a solution in 1993 and 2013-2015. Analysts say that without institutional reform, recognition of the Kurdish identity, and renewed political dialogue, the current window of opportunity could close quickly.
Kurds have increasingly positioned themselves as crucial regional actors—particularly in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS) alongside the International Coalition in Syria. But unless Turkey matches the PKK’s disarmament with meaningful political engagement, experts warn that the Kurdish question will remain unresolved.
