Political calls for Turkey to take effective steps toward implementing the peace initiative

Following the "Peace and Democratic Society" call launched by leader Abdullah Ocalan on February 27 of this year, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) committed to the call and announced the end of armed struggle at its 12th congress held in May.

In a symbolic move, on July 11, 30 fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Forces burned their weapons near the Gasna Cave in Southern Kurdistan, sending a message of putting weapons behind their backs and engaging in peaceful political work.

Ankara responded by announcing the formation of a special parliamentary committee to discuss constitutional reforms and mechanisms for a solution. However, political deadlock still prevails regarding practical results on the ground.

hopes for serious steps

In this context, ANHA agency conducted interviews with several politicians and public figures. Emad Tatrian, Secretary-General of the Armenian Union Party, stated: "The peace initiative launched by leader Abdullah Ocalan aimed to establish comprehensive peace throughout the Middle East. However, the Turkish state is attempting by all means to evade and circumvent this, as it did previously in 1993 and 2013. It does not adopt a mindset of genuine peace that ensures regional stability but seeks to escape its crises through deception."

Tatrian added, "When the PKK announced a ceasefire in response to the leader’s call, the Turkish state was supposed to take serious steps reflecting its true intention to follow the path of peace and open a new horizon leading Turkey and the Middle East to safety. Instead, we witness the opposite: Ankara seeks to impose its dominance over the region and monopolize power, even fueling the conflict between the Autonomous Administration and Damascus to prevent any political solution."

crucial issues and internal Turkish divisions

Meanwhile, Farhan Dawood, Co-Chair of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) Council in Hasakah, confirmed that no serious signs have yet appeared despite the formation of the special committee to address core issues, primarily the Kurdish question. He said: "The committee has begun discussing files such as missing persons and detainees, but this is not limited to a specific group; it concerns the fate of an entire people. The leader launched his initiative to address fundamental and essential issues, yet the Turkish state, which has ruled for a century with a repressive and exclusionary mentality, remains distant and unwilling to adopt a decentralized democratic system that fulfills the Kurdish people's aspirations."

Dawood pointed out that Turkey currently experiences an internal struggle between the "deep state," with a long-term strategic vision seeking to pull the country out of its crises amid the Middle East’s changes, and Erdogan’s government, which pursues personal policies aimed at winning public opinion, consolidating its dominance over the region, and advancing its own interests. This conflict directly impacts the peace process.

peace hinges on Turkey’s steps

Similarly, Zahra Ali, Co-Chair of the PYD Council in Hasakah, stated: "Following the call issued by Abdullah Ocalan for peace, which received wide international support, the PKK took the initiative to dissolve itself and symbolically burn its weapons. Therefore, the responsibility now lies with the Turkish state to take serious steps that serve the Kurdish people and all the peoples of the region and move toward implementing a democratic system ensuring the participation of all components within its framework."

The politicians concluded their statements by affirming that the Turkish authorities must take serious steps that demonstrate their commitment to advancing the peace process initiated by leader Abdullah Ocalan.

ANHA