End of an Era: The PKK Ceasefire and the Future of Kurdish-Turkish Relations

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or the PKK, has recently declared a ceasefire after leader Ocalan’s call for disarmament. The insurgency that was waged by the Kurdish militants forty years ago in Turkiye finally came to an end on March 1, 2025, after the imprisoned leader called for the group to disarm. 

Historical Roots 

After the fall of the Ottoman Empire and the birth of the Turkish Republic in 1923, the new government embarked on a strict nation-building project. In its effort to create a unified Turkish identity, it suppressed the cultural and linguistic rights of ethnic minorities, particularly the Kurds. Speaking Kurdish, celebrating Kurdish traditions, or expressing Kurdish identity in public became forbidden, leaving many feeling alienated in their own homeland.  

In 1925, Sheikh Said, a respected religious and tribal leader, led a rebellion calling for the restoration of the caliphate and Kurdish autonomy. His forces swiftly took control of several towns, offering a brief moment of hope for his followers. However, the Turkish government responded with overwhelming force, imposing martial law and sending in reinforcements. By March, key cities like Diyarbakır had been recaptured, and by April, the rebellion was crushed. Sheikh Said and many of his supporters were executed in June. Their deaths were not just the loss of individuals but symbols of a broader repression that would intensify in the years to come.  

A few years later, from 1927 to 1930, the Kurds made another stand for their rights in the Ararat Rebellion. Led by Ihsan Nuri Pasha, the Republic of Ararat emerged as a beacon of Kurdish self-determination. Fighters launched attacks on Turkish military outposts, hoping to gain international support. However, Turkey responded with a relentless campaign, using airstrikes and heavy artillery to destroy resistance strongholds. By September 1930, the rebellion was crushed, and the Republic of Ararat ceased to exist. The dream of Kurdish independence was once again buried beneath the rubble of war.  

Then, in 1937 and 1938, the Dersim Rebellion erupted in response to forced resettlements and assimilation policies. The people of Dersim, fiercely protective of their identity and way of life, resisted these measures. The Turkish government launched a brutal military campaign in response, targeting villages with air raids and heavy bombardment. Thousands were killed, and many others were forcibly displaced. Entire communities were uprooted, their histories erased or rewritten to fit the state's vision.  

These rebellions were not just battles fought with weapons; they were struggles for dignity, identity, and survival. Though ultimately suppressed, they remain deeply embedded in the memory of the Kurdish people—a testament to their resilience in the face of overwhelming odds.

Formation of PKK 

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was founded on November 27, 1978, by Abdullah Öcalan and a group of leftist students. Initially driven by Marxist-Leninist ideology, the PKK aimed to combat Kurdish oppression in Turkey and establish an independent Kurdish state. In its early years, the group focused on building support among Kurds and promoting armed struggle. The PKK's ideology combined Marxist principles with Kurdish nationalism, advocating for a classless society and the liberation of oppressed populations. Over time, its objectives evolved from seeking full independence to demanding greater Kurdish cultural and political rights within Turkey through both armed and political means.

Evolution of the Conflict 

From 1984 to 1999, the PKK waged an insurgency using guerrilla tactics against Turkish military and government targets, resulting in heavy casualties. In 1999, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was captured in Kenya and imprisoned in Ankara. Following his arrest, the PKK declared a ceasefire and shifted its goal from full independence to greater Kurdish autonomy and cultural rights within Turkey. After a period of reduced violence, the PKK resumed armed conflict in 2004, citing unaddressed Kurdish grievances. Ceasefire negotiations followed but collapsed in 2015, reigniting conflict and marking a return to violence between the PKK and Turkish forces.

Recent Developments

On March 1, 2025, the PKK declared a ceasefire, ending a 40-year insurgency against Turkey. The announcement came two days after their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, called for the group to disarm. Firat News Agency, a media outlet close to the PKK, released a statement citing Öcalan’s appeal, noting that the conflict had caused tens of thousands of deaths since 1984. A Kurdish delegation, after visiting Öcalan in his island prison, relayed his message urging the PKK to lay down arms and disband. This ceasefire marks the first significant step toward peace since talks collapsed in 2015. The PKK declared a “new historical process” for Kurdistan and the Middle East.

While stating that it would “comply with and implement the requirements of the call from our own side,” the PKK emphasised that “democratic politics and legal grounds must also be suitable for success”.

Furthermore, PKK called for Ocalan to be released from the Imrali prison following the ceasefire to “personally direct and execute” a party congress. 

Conclusion 

The PKK's March 1, 2025, ceasefire ends a long conflict shaping Turkey and the Kurds. From the 1925 Sheikh Said Rebellion to the PKK’s rise, the struggle evolved through resistance and negotiation. Future peace depends on Turkey’s response to Kurdish demands for political recognition, cultural rights, and Öcalan’s fate.