The PKK, a banned Kurdish group, has announced a ceasefire with Turkey following its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan’s call for the dismantling of the organization and the laying down of arms. Ocalan, who has been held in solitary confinement since 1999, requested his release in order to lead the disarmament process. This announcement comes after four decades of conflict in southeastern Turkey, which has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people. The recent initiative for a resolution was launched by Devlet Bahceli, the leader of Turkey’s ultra-nationalist MHP party and an ally of the Turkish government. Ocalan met with pro-Kurdish MPs on Imrali, the island where he is imprisoned, and called for the implementation of a peace plan. The PKK has stated that its forces will only engage in armed action if attacked and have demanded improved prison conditions for Ocalan. Despite the positive reception from Kurdish leaders, there remains skepticism among both Kurdish and Turkish communities about the future.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgkmg3kmmero