After over 40 years of armed resistance against the Turkish government, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has officially declared an end to its armed struggle. This announcement came during a congress held in northern Iraq, following a message earlier this year from the group’s imprisoned founder, Abdullah Öcalan, urging the PKK to lay down arms.
Designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, the PKK led a prolonged and violent campaign for Kurdish rights and autonomy, resulting in significant bloodshed. Öcalan, also known by the nickname “Appo,” remains a deeply divisive figure—admired by many Kurdish nationalists and opposed by most in Turkey.
Now 76 years old, Öcalan has been incarcerated for more than 25 years. He became politically active while studying at Ankara University and went on to found the PKK in 1978. The group’s armed campaign began in 1984 and was primarily operated from mountainous bases in northern Iraq.
Even from prison, Öcalan has continued to influence the group. His latest call to disarm came months after a political ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an pushed for such a move. Originally leading the PKK from Syria, Öcalan was forced to leave in 1998 under pressure from Turkey and was eventually captured by Turkish forces in Kenya in 1999, after failed attempts to secure asylum in several countries.
