Renewed Peace Efforts: Ocalan's Potential Call to Disarm PKK

Senior officials from Turkey's pro-Kurdish Democratic Party are set to meet with Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, as part of renewed peace efforts. Ocalan is anticipated to call for the PKK to disarm, potentially ending a decades-long conflict. Previous peace attempts have been unsuccessful.

In a significant development, senior officials from Turkey's pro-Kurdish Democratic Party are poised to meet Abdullah Ocalan, the imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), this Thursday. The meeting forms part of a broader initiative to foster renewed peace efforts between Ankara and the banned Kurdish group.

Ocalan, held on Imrali island since his conviction for treason in 1999, is expected to issue a pivotal message urging the PKK to disarm. Analysts suggest that this call could potentially conclude a conflict that has persisted for more than four decades and claimed countless lives. Despite his incarceration, Ocalan maintains a substantial sway over the PKK's leadership structure.

This latest attempt at peace, commenced in October, is supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's coalition partner, Devlet Bahceli, who hinted at parole prospects for Ocalan should the PKK renounce violence. Meanwhile, Erdogan seeks support to modify the Turkish Constitution, which restricts his continuous tenure as president, necessitating pro-Kurdish backing.

(With inputs from agencies.)