Turkey aiming to end conflict with, disband Kurdistan Workers Party

Key Points:

• Turkey's ruling alliance plans to submit a draft law to parliament aimed at facilitating the disbandment of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) by enabling the return and reintegration of thousands of former militants.
• The proposed legislation outlines procedures for processing returning PKK fighters and civilians through the justice system and supporting their societal reintegration, marking a significant step toward ending a conflict that has lasted since 1984 and caused over 40,000 deaths.
• The bill, known as "national solidarity and social integration," has broad parliamentary support, including from President Erdogan's AK Party, the nationalist MHP, the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, and most other parties, despite public skepticism about its potential for lasting peace.
• The peace process, which began in late 2024, stalled earlier this year due to the Iran war and regional instability concerns, although the PKK had decided to disarm and disband following a call from its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan.
• The PKK remains designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, highlighting the challenges ahead in achieving durable peace and reconciliation.