The unexpected dissolution of a decades-long insurgency
After forty years of asymmetric warfare, the Kurdistan Workers' Party has announced plans to disband. From its 1978 origins as a Marxist-Leninist movement to its recent ceasefire, the group's evolution reflects a profound shift in the struggle for Kurdish rights.
Founded on 27 November 1978 in the village of Fîs, the PKK began as a revolutionary socialist organization. Led by Abdullah Öcalan, the group's initial mission was the establishment of an independent Kurdish state. This period was marked by intense repression in Turkey, where the 1980 military coup led to the official prohibition of the Kurdish language in both public and private life. The Turkish government even went so far as to deny the existence of Kurds, labeling them 'Mountain Turks' until 1991.
The nature of the conflict shifted significantly in the 1990s. Moving away from outright separatism, the PKK's platform evolved toward seeking autonomy and increased political and cultural rights within the existing Turkish state. This ideological transition toward 'democratic confederalism'—a system of local, elected administrative councils—was heavily influenced by the writings of the imprisoned Öcalan. Despite these changes, the group remained designated as a terrorist organization by several nations, including the United States, the European Union, and Japan.
The violence of the decades-long insurgency has been devastating, with more than 40,000 deaths reported, many of whom were Turkish Kurdish civilians. Both the PKK and the Turkish state have faced accusations of using terror tactics and targeting non-combatants. However, a new chapter began in early 2025. On 1 March 2025, the PKK declared a ceasefire, and by 12 May, the organization announced plans for a total dissolution. This follows a Turkish parliamentary law passed in August 2026, which provides a conditional pardon for thousands of fighters, provided the group fully disbands and surrenders its weapons.
Source: Kurdistan Workers' Party
