Jailed Kurd Chief Makes Historic Call to End War With Turkey

PKK’s Ocalan calls on group to lay down arms and disband
Move marks a major step toward resolving four-decade conflict

A protester waves a flag bearing a portrait of Abdullah Ocalan, during a demonstration calling for his release, in Qamishli, Syria on Feb. 15.
Photographer: Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images

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By Selcan Hacaoglu and Baris Balci

February 27, 2025 at 9:40 AM UTC

Updated on

February 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM UTC

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Kurdish separatist group leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his militants to lay down arms and work toward ending a 40-year war for autonomy against Turkey.

“All groups must lay their arms and the PKK must dissolve itself,” Ocalan said from prison near Istanbul on Thursday, using the acronym for his Kurdistan Workers’ Party.