A historic meeting on 27 February at İmralı Island has signalled a potential shift in Turkey’s approach to the Kurdish issue, with both Abdullah Öcalan and state officials expressing their commitment to a new political paradigm. Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party’s İmralı delegation, described the vision as a “shared Turkish-Kurdish Republic”.
Speaking on Habertürk TV on Monday, Önder emphasised the need to reassess prejudices and build a peace process that acknowledges the suffering of those affected by the decades-long conflict. He underscored the importance of ensuring that future generations do not inherit ongoing violence, stating that “every life lost is irreplaceable”.
Önder, a leading figure in mediating peace efforts, stated that Kurdish leader Öcalan’s historic call to end armed conflict applies not only to the PKK but also to affiliated groups, including the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and its main component, the People’s Protection Units (YPG).
Önder acknowledged Turkey’s concerns regarding the Syrian Kurdish forces and emphasised that Öcalan’s vision extends to all groups aligned with his ideological framework. While affirming that the principle of moving beyond armed struggle applies universally, he noted that each group operates under different circumstances, requiring further dialogue to determine how it can be implemented.
Önder also revealed that he and Pervin Buldan may soon visit Kurdish-led northern Syria (Rojava) to facilitate discussions on the transition to a political process. He said:
"Maybe Mrs. Pervin [Buldan] and I will go to Rojava together. There might still be challenges. The gaps between different structures—like the [YPG and] PKK/KCK—might not align perfectly. But we are talking about solving a problem here. Our aim is to make this solution permanent, and we will achieve that—it’s a necessity. From now on, this is a shared issue, and we will face it together."
He acknowledged that structural differences between Kurdish movements in Turkey and Syria present challenges but emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to ensure lasting peace. “Our aim is to make this permanent,” Önder stated, underlining that all involved actors must act in the best interest of the region. His remarks signal a potential new phase in regional Kurdish diplomacy, with implications for Turkey’s stance on the YPG and broader peace efforts in Syria.
Referring to Turkish nationalist leader Devlet Bahçeli, Önder acknowledged his past interactions with Kurdish politicians and described him as a serious and principled figure. He recalled a private meeting with Bahçeli and veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Türk, emphasising Bahçeli’s measured stance on key political matters. Öcalan, according to Önder, had also analysed Bahçeli’s approach and recognised his sense of responsibility.
Önder denied any secret negotiations or hidden agreements, asserting that the discussions were open and aimed at resolving one of Turkey’s most pressing political and social issues. He stated that all sides, including Öcalan, the Turkish government and international actors, had expressed a willingness to move forward. However, he cautioned that real progress would require structural, legal and political mechanisms to support this transformation.
While Önder underscored the importance of dialogue, he also warned against premature declarations of a “new process” without formal steps being taken. He insisted that any real negotiation must be acknowledged by both sides, rather than being framed as informal backchannel diplomacy.
The meeting at Imrali comes amid renewed discussions on the Kurdish issue in Turkey, with political leaders weighing their positions on peace efforts. While no formal process has been announced, the significance of this dialogue marks a moment of potential change in a long-standing conflict.
