Türkiye vows to counter regional provocations, terrorist threats

Omer Çelik, spokesperson for Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), has strongly condemned provocations by certain states in the region, reiterating Türkiye’s commitment to preventing terrorist threats and destabilizing forces.

Çelik made these remarks during a press conference, addressing the ongoing situation regarding the imprisoned leader of the PKK, Abdullah Öcalan, and his recent call to supporters, Caliber.Az reports citing Turkish media.

Çelik emphasized that there were no plans for any changes or persecution related to Öcalan’s statements. He clarified that Türkiye’s stance remains unwavering in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Syria and Iraq.

“Our principles are clear and unambiguous – disarmament and the elimination of terrorist organizations. Our main goal is to prevent the PKK, PYD, and YPG from destabilizing the region,” Çelik stated.

The spokesperson also underlined Türkiye’s vigilance in monitoring developments, stressing that the country would not tolerate provocations by any state that seeks to support terrorism in the region.

"We have to be attentive. Measures will be taken to prevent provocative actions by some states to support terrorism in the region," Çelik warned.

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.

The PKK, founded by Öcalan in 1978, has waged an insurgency in southeastern Türkiye since 1984. The Turkish government and its Western allies consider the group a terrorist organization. Previous peace efforts, including a notable attempt in 2015, have failed to bring an enduring resolution to the conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva