Leader of the PKK Announces Transition to Political Struggle and Ending Military Action

SadaNews - Abdullah Öcalan, the leader and founder of the "Kurdistan Workers' Party" (PKK), announced in a video message from his prison that the armed struggle has voluntarily come to an end.

In a video message from his prison on Imrali Island in the Sea of Marmara south of Istanbul, Öcalan stated: "I remain a strong advocate for the call I made to lay down arms on February 27th of last year."

Öcalan pointed out that he is "declaring the end of our armed struggle voluntarily."

He added in his video message:

- The formation of a committee within the Turkish parliament to disarm "voluntarily" is legally significant.

- Our transition to the legal phase and democratic politics is a historic victory, not a loss.

- The "appropriate ways" for the PKK to lay down arms will be determined through "swift practical steps."

- The Party of Equality and Democracy (Kurdish) and the other parties under the Turkish parliament will fulfill their responsibilities and obligations to achieve the results we desire.

- We are talking about taking practical steps and unlocking the locked doors.

- We are discussing the beginning of a phase that holds historic significance, which will contribute to determining the fate of the region.

- I do not believe in the power of weapons, but in the power of peace.

It is noteworthy that on May 12, Turkish and Kurdish media reported that the leadership of the "Kurdistan Workers' Party" officially decided to dissolve the party, end the armed conflict, and abandon the weapons.

The media mentioned that the PKK leadership published the decisions from their meetings held from May 5 to 7.

One of the most significant decisions following the disarmament decision was the party's belief that "in order to develop Kurdish democracy, Kurdish political parties will perform their duties and responsibilities. "

Source: RT