Iran backs PKK disarmament following its imprisoned leader's call

Iran has expressed its support for Abdullah Öcalan’s recent call for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to lay down its arms and disband, with Tehran’s foreign ministry making an official statement.

Esmael Baghaei, the spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, commented, “The Islamic Republic of Iran welcomes any process that leads to stopping terrorism and enhancing security in Türkiye, our neighbouring country, and hopes that this development will also have positive effects in the region.” His statement underscored Iran’s backing for any steps aimed at reducing violence and fostering regional stability, Caliber.Az reports via Kurdish media. 

Öcalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, sent a letter to the public urging the group to disarm and dissolve. His call has been seen as a significant step toward achieving lasting peace in Türkiye and finding a democratic resolution to the long-standing Kurdish issue. In the letter, Öcalan advocated for the PKK to convene a congress and make a decision regarding its future. He emphasized that “all groups must lay down their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself.” 

He explained that the PKK was formed during a time when Kurdish identity was repressed, and democratic avenues were closed, which fueled the group’s support. However, he argued that the political climate has since changed, rendering the PKK’s role obsolete and repetitive, thus necessitating its dissolution. Baghaei hailed Öcalan’s message as “an important step toward rejecting violence,” signaling Iran’s endorsement of the idea as a way forward. Iran has long been involved in fighting Kurdish opposition groups of its own, similar to Türkiye. 

These groups, which Iran labels as “terrorists,” include the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran (KDPI), Komala, the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), and the Kurdistan Freedom Party (PAK). Historically based near the Iran-Iraq border, these groups were relocated as part of a security agreement between Baghdad and Tehran in 2023. With the developments surrounding Öcalan’s letter, Iran’s support for his call could influence both regional and international efforts to bring an end to violence and seek a peaceful resolution to Kurdish issues in both Türkiye and Iran. 

On February 27, Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the banned Kurdish insurgent group, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), called on members of the organisation to lay down their arms and disband after over four decades of conflict with Türkiye. In a long-awaited statement, which was read out by deputies of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Freedom and Democracy Party (DEM) in Istanbul, Öcalan urged the PKK to end its armed struggle.

By Naila Huseynova