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Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding
Timeline: 2024-2025 Kurdish Peace Talks in Turkey and Syria
This timeline follows efforts to find a solution to the transnational Turkish-Kurdish conflict and the status of Syria’s Kurdish-led autonomous regions, two closely related diplomatic challenges with significant impacts on the security and political future of the Middle East. Sources include Kurdish, Turkish, Arab and international media and the official accounts and press departments of individuals and organizations quoted.
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February 23, 2025
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the ongoing peace talks in a speech at the AKP’s 8th Regular Grand Congress in Ankara: “Terrorism and politics, terrorism and democracy cannot coexist at the same time. That is why we say ‘Either terrorism or democracy’, ‘Either weapons or civil politics’. I have to underline this once again; we do not have time to struggle with a pile of literature that is a product of external discord that is of no benefit to Turks, Kurds, Sunnis or Alevis. While a new world is being established, Turkey needs to get rid of its bile, especially the scourge of terror. The days when the dark shadow of terror, violence and weapons will be completely withdrawn from our country and region are very close…We will all come together as Turks, Kurds and Arabs, and tear down the wall of terror that has been rising on the blood of our children for 40 years. Once the problem of terror is eliminated, the doors of a new era from democracy to development, from brotherhood to regional integration will open.”
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan welcomed Erdogan’s remarks in a speech to the DEM Party’s Istanbul Congress and invited him to take action. “[Erdogan] gave a message of democracy for the new period in his congress speech. This message is important, we care. But we have not yet seen how much this message will be fulfilled. We are also struggling to develop democracy and law. If you are sincere, come on, we are here. We are already defending these. Let’s build the upcoming period together on the axis of democratic, conciliatory, free politics and universal law. We are in. Are you in too?” Bakirhan also reiterated that “Mr. Ocalan will make a historical call from Imrali Prison” and that the call is “not against the state” but in favor of a democratic state.
- DEM Party Legal Commission Spokesperson Ozturk Turkdogan responded to Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc’s claim that the law did not allow for PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan to make his expected statement via video message. Turkdogan claimed that legislation existed to allow such a call if the Justice Ministry and the President gave permission.
- PUK leader Bafel Talabani said “as the PUK, we are in favor of peace and we support the current process [in Turkey]” and called for international support for the peace process in a speech at the Baghdad International Dialogue Conference.
February 22, 2025
- KONGRA-GEL Co-Chair Remzi Kartal confirmed that a letter from PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan had reached Kurdish officials in Europe and discussed its contents. “The things that Leader Apo says in his letters, especially in the letters that reached his organization, elaborate on the topics that were shared with the delegations in its meetings. For a long time, the resistance movement, that is, the PKK, has always wanted to change and develop its means of struggle. From this perspective, there have been many attempts to achieve strategic changes and basic organizational changes. Our organization, our movement, has taken a position on this. From the beginning, we have given all of our support to the process that Leader Apo is developing and, as a movement and organization, are committed to carrying our work in all areas.”
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan criticized Turkish Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunc’s claim that Abdullah Ocalan’s expected statement could not legally be made via video. Bakirhan called on the government to find a way to share the statement with the public.
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullari said that Abdullah Ocalan’s expected statement would come at the end of February or beginning of March. Regarding the content of the message, she said, “If I were to summarize and estimate this, it would be: ‘The Kurdish issue should be resolved peacefully, democratically and on legal grounds, free of conflict and violence.’ I am saying this with the exact concepts used by Mr. Abdullah Ocalan himself. In all the meetings with the delegation, he emphasized at every opportunity that there is no solution other than ‘common life,’ ‘Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood,’ and also the establishment of the rights of all peoples in Turkey on the basis of their beliefs and equal citizenship. In short, democratization and the construction of a democratic society.”
- 30 of 50 suspects detained in the HDK case were arrested. The DEM Party condemned the arrests.
- KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani said he was “optimistic” about the peace process in Turkey following his meeting with the DEM Party delegation. “Without a doubt, ending conflict is always a courageous and serious decision. For this reason, the Kurdish question in Turkey is a serious matter for all Kurds…We as the PUK demonstrated our readiness for any step that is peaceful and heads towards a solution. Whatever responsibility may be put before us, we showed we are ready to take it on,” Talabani stated.
- Syrian oil ministry spokesman Ahmed Suleiman said that DAANES authorities had begun to supply oil to central government authorities. The deal, based on a similar understanding that had existed between the DAANES and Damascus before Assad’s fall, is the first public agreement between the two parties.
February 21, 2025
- PKK Executive Committee member Duran Kalkan addressed the postponement of PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s expected February 15th statement. “It is not due to any delay, postponement or obstruction action of ours. Who caused it, how it happened and why it happened, we will probably understand in the coming period. But of course it is not good to make such promises and then bring the result to this situation. It should not have happened like this,” Kalkan said.
- Turkish Parliamentary Speaker Numan Kurtulmus commented on ongoing peace talks, noting that the conflict had cost Turkey 40,000 lives and at least two trillion dollars. “Instead of dwelling on dates, I think this work should be completed firmly but without wasting too much time. Our region is going through a very sensitive period. The main issue in our region is the issue of division and fragmentation that has accelerated especially with the American invasion of Iraq…[The process] is not to ensure further disintegration but to ensure further integration. Therefore, we have to increase cooperation-based integration and commonality in our own region. While doing this, we take as a basis a vital issue such as strengthening our internal front in order to protect ourselves from all dangers,” he said.
February 20, 2025
- The DEM Party delegation has concluded its meetings in Iraqi Kurdistan and is preparing to meet with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan for a third time.
- DEM Party Imrali Delegation member Sirri Sureyya Onder said that the DEM delegation’s meetings with Iraqi Kurdish leaders were positive. “They conveyed their support. There are other details as well. We will convey this to Mr. Ocalan during our visit.” he said.
- DEM Party Imrali Delegation member Pervin Buldan also discussed the DEM delegation’s meetings and next steps following those meetings an interview with JINNEWS. “In all the meetings we have had, each and every one of them has stated that they will give great support to the process, that they will be behind this process one hundred percent, and that the process started by Mr. Ocalan will be of great benefit to all Kurdish people. Therefore, I can say that everyone fully supports it,” Buldan said. Upon return to Turkey, she continued, the delegation would meet with Turkish authorities and agree upon a time for a third meeting with Ocalan.
- Journalist Amberin Zaman reported for Al Monitor that the KRG had allegedly signaled a willingness to help with two key issues in any peace process: disarmament and refuge for those PKK members who would not be able to return to Turkey under an amnesty law.
- Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said “there is no such thing in our legislation as a convict addressing the public via video” in the context of Abdullah Ocalan’s expected statement. Kurdish sources had alleged that the statement would take the form of a video message.
- A Turkish Defense Ministry official commented on the status of the SDF in the future Syrian military following the February 17 tripartite meeting. “As we mentioned before, the terrorist organization (PKK-PYD-YPG-SDF) must lay down its weapons, its leaders and foreign elements must leave Syria, and all armed groups must be an undistinguished part of the unified Syrian national army, under the umbrella of the Ministry of Defense, without discrimination or forming a separate structure within the army,” the official said.
February 19, 2025
- The DEM Party delegation met with KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani in order to discuss ongoing peace talks in Turkey. “War and violence must end. The Kurdistan Region is ready to provide all forms of support on this matter,” Barzani said after the meeting.
- Turkish Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc said that the ministry would “evaluate [it] and provide permission” if a new request for a meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan were to be made. The DEM Party is expected to request such a meeting upon its return from Iraqi Kurdistan.
- Former KRG President Masoud Barzani met with Deputy U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Daniel Rubenstein. During the meeting, the two “they reviewed the outcomes of the visit of the Imrali delegation to the Kurdistan Region and the meeting between President Barzani and General Mazloum Abdi,” according to a readout from the KDP Foreign Relations Office. This marked the first publicly acknowledged discussion of the peace process with U.S. officials.
February 18, 2025
- Turkish police detained at least 52 people from Kurdish and left-wing parties affiliated with the Peoples’ Democratic Congress (HDK). The HDK is a confederation of political parties and organizations linked to the pro-Kurdish political movement.
- The DEM Party delegation met with KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, PUK leader Bafel Talabani, and Shahnaz Ibrahim Ahmed, PUK presidential council member and the widow of PUK founder and leader Jalal Talabani, to discuss ongoing peace talks in Turkey. Following the meetings, delegation member and DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayindir said, “all Kurdish actors agree that the solution to the Kurdish issue will be under the leadership of Mr. Ocalan and that this will be a gain for all Kurds.”
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan addressed the expected statement from PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan, saying that it would likely come after the DEM Party delegation finished its meetings in Iraqi Kurdistan. Regarding the content of the statement, Bakirhan said: “We believe that a roadmap will emerge where all people living in this country will be able to live equally, eliminating terror, violence and the perception of security threats. Weapons are a very small part of this, a result. The truth, the essence of the matter is the democratization of Turkey. He will announce a roadmap aimed at resolving the Kurdish issue from a violent base to a political base, a legal base and a democratic one.”
- The SDF and SDC issued statements clarifying the outcome of the February 17th tripartite meeting. Both statements stressed commitment to dialogue to resolve outstanding issues with Damascus and the need for a ceasefire to ensure that dialogue can progress.
- DAANES Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed told The National News that the SDF would lay down arms when there was a ceasefire with Turkey and when the fight against ISIS was over.
- KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci. A KRG readout of the meeting said: “Regarding Syria, they addressed developments in the country and emphasized the need to maintain its security and stability and ensure the rights of the Kurdish people and all other components of the country.”
February 17, 2025
- DEM Party Spokeswoman Aysegul Dogan said that letters from PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan had reached KCK leaders in Qandil, SDF leaders in northeast Syria, and KNK and KDCK-E leaders in Europe.
- The DEM Party delegation met with KRG President Nechirvan Barzani to discuss the ongoing peace process in Turkey.
- According to a readout published by the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Barzani “emphasized his unwavering commitment to the success of the peace initiative in Turkey,” saying that “We have consistently advocated for the peace process and the resolution of issues through dialogue, as history has shown that conflict and violence do not resolve disputes. I also hope that the PKK will approach this process with a strategic mindset and recognize the importance of seizing this opportunity.”
- DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayindir said, “Mr. Nechirvan Barzani has taken a strong national stance for this peace process. He will strongly support the process.”
- The SDF, SDC and DAANES met and restated their position on talks with Damascus. According to Northern Democratic Brigade commander Abu Omar al-Idlibi, an Arab SDF commander from Idlib, the participants congratulated Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on his appointment and invited him to visit Northeast Syria. They also agreed on several points related to dialogue with Damascus, including the future integration of the SDF into the Syrian army, the reactivation of government institutions in Northeast Syria, the withdrawal of non-Syrian fighters, and the return of all displaced persons to their regions. They agreed to form committees to work towards the implementation of these decisions.
February 16, 2025
- The DEM Party delegation met with former President of the Kurdistan Region Masoud Barzani in Erbil.
- According to a readout from the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s Foreign Relations Office, “President Barzani welcomed the guest delegation, stressing the importance of the peace process as the only correct way to reach solutions, and stressed the need for all parties to intensify their efforts and endeavors to enable the peace process to achieve the desired results. President Barzani also renewed his full readiness to provide assistance and support to the peace process in Turkey and make it a success.”
- Delegation member and DBP Co-Chair Keskin Bayindir told reporters, “We shared Mr. Ocalan’s greetings and messages with President Masoud Barzani. There is a process taking place in Turkey and North Kurdistan. President Barzani’s position and viewpoint is very important for the people of Kurdistan. Whatever they can do to support the process, we are very happy to have the support of President Barzani and Erbil Governor Mr. Omid Xoshnaw.”
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi congratulated Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on taking office, the first recognition of al-Sharaa as transitional president from any leader or structure in the DAANES or SDF. In an interview with North Press Agency, Abdi invited al-Sharaa to visit Northeast Syria and expressed support for ongoing negotiations, revealing that some of the new government’s demands included the removal of non-Syrian fighters from the SDF, the transfer of ISIS detainees to central government control, and the return of central government institutions to Northeast Syria.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that “ending the PKK occupation of Syria” was a “priority” for Syria’s new administration, adding that Turkey was “closely following and monitoring the situation.”
- A French delegation met with leaders from both the PYD and KNC regarding Syrian Kurdish unity talks. According to North Press Agency, the meeting “focused on drafting a joint political document, forming a unified Kurdish delegation to convey Kurdish demands to Damascus, and exploring the possibility of holding a Kurdish national conference in Syria.”
- A KNC delegation met with the KDP Foreign Relations Department in Erbil. According to a KDP Foreign Relations Office readout, they discussed the KDP’s efforts to promote Kurdish unity in Syria, including Masoud Barzani’s meeting with Mazloum Abdi, as well as the peace process in Turkey. “Both sides agreed that the phase of armed confrontation for securing Kurdish rights has passed and that the current stage requires intensified political and diplomatic efforts to achieve the aspirations of the Kurdish people,” the readout said.
February 15, 2025
- A trustee was appointed to Van Metropolitan Municipality, replacing elected DEM Party mayor Abdullah Zeydan.
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullari said the appointment ‘undermined’ peace negotiations. “Despite this stance of the AKP, we are in favor of continuing this process. As a result, it is a good thing for conflicting groups to meet with each other. We believe that these talks with Mr. Abdullah Ocalan will definitely lead to peace on a democratic basis. However, we all see the government’s attitude that sabotages and undermines this,” she told Mezopotamya Agency.
- CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel and CHP Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu condemned the Van trustee appointment. “It has become difficult to evaluate these bad practices targeting the right to vote and will of our Kurdish citizens and the solution-oriented processes initiated by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli at the same time,” Imamoglu said. Ozel told the DEM Party’s co-chairs in a phone call that the appointment was “a blow to the will of the people.”
- A DEM Party delegation arrived in Iraqi Kurdistan to discuss its meetings with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan with officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government. The delegation met with Erbil Governor Omid Xoshnaw.
- Turkish, Syrian, and Iraqi Kurdish officials attended the Munich Security Conference.
- Speaking on a panel at the conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan addressed the Syrian government’s demand for the SDF’s disarmament, saying that “in our views, there has to be only one legal armed force in any given country” and that the new government was “taking the right steps” by uniting armed groups into the national armed forces. He claimed that Turkey might reconsider its military presence in Syria if armed Kurdish groups were no longer present there. On the same panel, Syrian National Dialogue Conference Preparatory Committee member Hind Kabawat said that “Kurds are part of the Syrian nation but they can’t have their own army, as this is against our unity.”
- On the sidelines of the conference, Fidan met with KRG President Nechirvan Barzani. According to a readout from the Kurdistan Region Presidency, “the two sides also addressed the current security and political landscape in Iraq, Syria, and the broader region.”
- Barzani also met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani. In this meeting, according to a Kurdistan Region Presidency readout, “President Barzani emphasized the significance of safeguarding the rights of the Kurdish people as well as all communities in Syria. He highlighted the necessity of fostering peace and stability, advocating for the resolution of issues through dialogue and mutual understanding, and striving for a secure future for every community in Syria.”
- The DAANES condemned the Syrian government’s announcement of the seven-member Preparatory Committee for the National Dialogue Conference, saying that it “does not reflect the various components of Syrian society.”
February 14, 2025
- The DEM Party issued the final declaration of its most recent Party Assembly meeting, held on February 12. In the declaration, they outlined four points for a political solution to the Kurdish question. The points were as follows:
- “Ending Isolation Policies: Lifting the isolation imposed on Mr. Ocalan, ensuring free working conditions, and ensuring that society directly learns about developments in the peace and democratization process are of vital importance in terms of achieving an honorable peace.”
- “A Democratic New Social Contract: The democratic and political rights of the Kurdish people should be constitutionally guaranteed; a comprehensive, pluralistic and participatory construction process that will pave the way for democratization in Turkey should be initiated.”
- “Equal Life in a Common Homeland: Everyone living in Turkey has the right to build a common future together as citizens with equal rights. Kurds, Turks, Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians, Romani; Sunnis, Alevis, Yazidis, Christians, Jews and all other peoples, beliefs and identities should have all democratic rights, including education in their mother tongue and cultural rights, without any discrimination.”
- “Turkey’s Adoption of Dialogue and Peace Policies Instead of War in the Middle East: Diplomacy based on equal and peaceful relations with all peoples in the region should be developed, and relations with the peoples of the region, especially the Kurds, should be handled within the framework of democratic negotiations, not on the basis of war and destruction.”
February 13, 2025
- The KCK General Presidential Council issued a statement marking the upcoming 26th anniversary of PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s capture. Like the PKK Executive Council’s February 12th statement, it contained notably conciliatory rhetoric towards Turkey. The KCK called Ocalan’s capture “a conspiracy against Leader Apo’s struggle to save the Kurdish people from the fate of genocide and the policy of antagonizing Kurdish-Turkish relations” that was “carried out as a conspiracy against his historical and revolutionary efforts to restore Kurdish-Turkish relations on the basis of the brotherhood of peoples.”
- KCK Co-Chair Cemil Bayik revealed that the movement had received a letter from Abdullah Ocalan, the first such confirmation of direct communication between Ocalan and his movement.
- DEM Party Imrali Delegation Member Pervin Buldan visited former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas and former mayor of Diyarbakir Selcuk Mizrakli in prison to provide updates on ongoing peace talks.
- DEM Party MP Gulistan Kilic Kocyigit gave a speech before the Turkish Parliament commemorating the upcoming 26th anniversary of Abdullah Ocalan’s capture. “On the 26th anniversary, the conspirators will lose, the conspiracy will lose; the Kurdish-Turkish alliance and Kurdish-Turkish peace will win,” she said.
- Syria’s transitional government said that the SDF would not be invited to the National Dialogue Conference and that any group seeking to participate in the conference must disarm. They also announced a seven-member Preparatory Committee for the conference. The committee included no Kurds.
- The KNC criticized the composition of the Preparatory Committee for Syria’s National Dialogue Conference in a statement. “The exclusion of Kurdish representation from this committee constitutes a violation of this principle, and raises legitimate concerns about the approach to dealing with Syrian components as real partners in shaping the country’s future,” the statement said.
- Syrian Foreign Minister Assad Shaibani and his delegation joined European and Middle Eastern governments and representatives of the EU, UN, Arab League, and GCC at the Paris Conference on Syria, the first international meeting on Syria since the fall of the Assad regime.
- The conference issued a joint statement, in which the participants expressed a wish to work together to “cease all hostilities in Syria, support the unification of any remaining parts of Syrian territory through a negotiated political settlement, and call on all Syrian actors to fully commit to a Syrian national agenda” and to work to ensure “harmonious co-existence between Syria and its neighbours, based on mutual respect, sovereignty and respect for territorial integrity” wherein Syria would not “represent a threat for any country, nor be a refuge for terrorists just as external states must not represent a threat to Syrians, nor be in support of any actors that may present a threat to Syrian sovereignty, peace and territorial integrity.”
- At the conference, French President Emmanuel Macron said, “we believe that for a stable and inclusive Syria, all military forces that fought against terrorism, including the SDF, must be part of a national military structure.” France is a member of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS and has been one of the leading countries supporting intra-Kurdish dialogue and the SDF-Damascus political process.
February 12, 2025
- The PKK Executive Committee issued a statement marking the upcoming 26th anniversary of PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s capture. The statement demonstrated notable rhetorical shifts.
- It referred to the incident as an “international conspiracy attack” that was carried out by hegemonic powers “not only against the PKK and Kurdish freedom, but also against all the peoples of the Middle East, especially the peoples of Turkey.” Traditional PKK rhetoric casts Turkey as a perpetrator, not a victim, of this development.
- It also markedly softened its rhetoric towards the Turkish state, saying “the state should not be afraid; Leader Apo and the Kurds will not destroy the state, they will restructure it on a democratic and open basis. The Turkish society should not be afraid; Leader Apo and the Kurds will not divide Turkey, they will work for the democratization of Turkey on the basis of Kurdish freedom.”
- PKK Executive Committee member Helin Umit said that the PKK had information about the content of the DEM Party Imrali Delegation’s meeting with Abdullah Ocalan. “If something is requested from Leader Apo, if he is asked to make a call, he needs to be in a free working position to be able to do this,” she said.
- U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen expressed support for negotiations between the SDF and Damascus. “I welcome that caretaker authorities and the SDF opened a direct channel, even if progress has not yet emerged. I strongly encourage the United States, Turkiye, and regional and Syrian partners to work together on genuine compromises that enable peace and stability to take hold in northeast Syria. It is vital to avoid further conflict, which 3 could have drastic effects on Syrian civilians, stability, the economy, the transition, the fight against ISIL and potentially international peace and security. And it is crucial that all doors remain open to ensuring the inclusion of all parts of Syria and all key constituencies within the political transition process,” he said.
February 11, 2025
- DEM Party Van Metropolitan Municipality Co-Mayor Abdullah Zeydan was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. He was accused of ‘supporting a terrorist organization.’
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullari cautioned that PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s expected message might not be ready on February 15th, the 26th anniversary of his capture. “Our delegation will also make various visits to the Kurdistan Regional Government. These will also be delivered to Mr. Ocalan together with the results. We estimate that such a historical call may be made this month,” she said.
- PYNK Spokeswoman Sema Bektash said that the group had “established a committee to visit our ENKS brothers and invite them to a national meeting.”
February 10, 2025
- The DEM Party announced that it would send a delegation to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to discuss its meetings with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan with officials from the Kurdistan Regional Government, including former KRG President Masoud Barzani, KRG President Nechirvan Barzani, KRG Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, and PUK leader Bafel Talabani. DTK Co-Chair Berdan Ozturk said that Ocalan had requested these meetings so that his evaluations could be shared with the Iraqi Kurdish leadership.
February 9, 2025
- The DEM Party held a peace rally in Mersin and a meeting with supporters in Canakkale.
- DAANES Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed said that the DAANES wishes to establish “a strong Syria, with one army and with active politics and diplomacy,” but that this would only be possible “with balance and with a decentralized system.”
February 8, 2025
- The DEM Party held a peace rally in Diyarbakir. At the rally, DEM Party leaders called for an end to attacks on Northeast Syria and PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s “isolation.”
- DEM Party MP and former advisor on Turkish-Kurdish peace negotiations Cengiz Çandar discussed the ongoing peace process in an interview with Mezopotamya Agency. Çandar emphasized that Ocalan had already called for an end to armed conflict and that the problem was not whether he would make such a statement again, but “how he will do it and how the whole society, the state, the political sphere will adjust themselves against it after he does it…After that historical statement is made, our job will begin. The statement will not be the end of something, on the contrary, it will be the beginning and the beginning of a brand new era.”
- DAANES Foreign Relations Department Spokesman Kemal Akef condemned the arrest of Kurds who had welcomed government forces into Afrin. He said, “It is important that there be an official clarification from Damascus regarding this incident, as the return of the people of Afrin to their areas is one of the most important priorities there.”
February 7, 2025
- The DEM Party held meetings with its supporters in Bingol, Sanliurfa, and Hatay to discuss ongoing peace talks.
- DEM Party Women’s Assembly Spokeswoman Halide Turkoglu called for negotiations with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan to be “brought into a legal framework.”
- The KNC withdrew from the Syrian Opposition Coalition, a long-standing demand of the PYD in Kurdish unity talks. The SOC had previously announced its intent to dissolve. KNC Spokesman Faisal Yussef said that they had taken this step “to form a united Kurdish delegation, which will likely engage in negotiations with the new authorities in Damascus.”
- Four Kurdish men who had raised Kurdish flags to celebrate the entry of Syrian government forces into Afrin were arrested by the Turkey-backed Military police.
February 6, 2025
- HPG Commander Murat Karayilan discussed the PKK’s use of military force and the conditions under which it might lay down arms in an interview with Sterk TV.
- Ocalan’s Freedom: “We are a movement with tens of thousands of armed forces. This force is not a force that came for money and will go home when its salary is cut…unless the person who created this ideology, namely Leader Apo himself, steps in and talks to these friends, nothing will happen with just a video call…apart from Leader Apo, no one from us can do this, namely, convene the congress to lay down arms, convince all friends and get their consent. For this, Leader Apo must first be free,” Karayilan said.
- Mutual Ceasefire: “A ceasefire is needed. How can we put disarmament on our agenda here as long as there is no ceasefire! Weapons are used every day and we protect ourselves with weapons. Therefore, the ground needs to be created first. How can the ground be created? First, there can be a bilateral ceasefire. Then, the language can be changed and the language of peace can be used, persuasion efforts can be carried out, opinions can be formed and then what is necessary will be done. We are not people who are in love with weapons. We are in love with freedom, democracy and equal life. We are putting our lives on the line for these. If these things happen, then undoubtedly, weapons will have no meaning,” he continued.
- Syrian government security forces entered the northwestern Syrian city of Afrin, which has been under Turkish occupation since 2018. The return of Afrin to Syrian state control is viewed as an important step in negotiations between the new Syrian government and the SDF. Kurdish IDPs are less likely to return, and no deal made to accommodate Kurdish rights can apply to the region, if it remains under the control of Turkey-backed armed groups.
February 5, 2025
- The DEM Party held meetings with its supporters in Diyarbakir and Sirnak to discuss ongoing peace talks.
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan told attendees of the Diyarbakir meeting that, “if you support [negotiations], rest assured that the government will also be forced to take a step” and said “the stronger we are, the stronger the hand of Mr. Ocalan, who is the chief negotiator, will be,” drawing attention to the importance of public support for the process.
- At the Sirnak rally, DBP Co-Chair Cigdem Kilicgun Ucar said, “In a Turkey that has missed its century and has not become democratic, the paradigm and roadmap presented by Mr. Abdullah Ocalan, despite the conditions in Imrali, is a project that everyone is eagerly waiting for. We believe that no one has the right to ignore or overlook a major issue such as the resolution of the Kurdish issue.”
- DEM Party Group Deputy Chairman Sezai Temelli addressed PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s expected message in a press conference. “When it is announced, we will all be aware of it. It is a reality that it will be historic. The struggle that Mr. Öcalan has been giving for a long time is a struggle for the solution of the Kurdish problem on a democratic political basis,” he said. Regarding the format of the message, Temelli said, “Our expectation is that Mr. Öcalan will make it in an environment where the isolation has been lifted and he has gained political freedoms. But the government will decide what form it will take. I think the government will make the statement on this.”
- DEM Party Imrali Delegation member Pervin Buldan met with imprisoned former HDP Co-Chair Figen Yuksekdag to discuss ongoing peace negotiations.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced plans to create a counter-ISIS coalition consisting of Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Jordan. The coalition would aim to replace the U.S.-led Coalition, thereby ending U.S. support for the SDF.
- Kurdish Congress Preparatory Committee member and Kurdistan Democratic Peace Party leader Telal Mihemed said that the KNC had been invited to participate in the Congress. “This congress is not an alternative to the Kurdish-Kurdish dialogue, but is intended to support it,” he explained.
February 4, 2025
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan said that PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan was “preparing to make a historic call in the coming days for a radical and permanent solution to the Kurdish problem and for the construction of a democratic Turkey.” Speaking to the media about the content and format of the call, Bakirhan said: “I don’t know its content. We don’t know much about what’s in it. I’m speaking according to the information we received from the delegations. There’s a high probability that there will be similar things in this call. There’s a preparation, a study in a very short time. It could come on February 15th or it could be after. There’s no clarity on this issue yet.”
- The DEM Party held meetings with its supporters in Mardin, Erzurum, Mus, Ankara, Eskisehir, and Adana to discuss ongoing peace talks.
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met in Ankara. Reuters reported that the two leaders would discuss a mutual defense pact.
- In a post on X, Erdogan wrote: “The basis of our policy towards our neighbor, Syria, has long been to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of this country. The meeting we had with Mr. Sharaa today was also built on this principle. I was pleased to see that we were in complete agreement on almost every issue. My dear brother and I evaluated the joint steps that could be taken to establish security and economic stability in the country. We particularly discussed the steps to be taken against the separatist terrorist organization and its supporters who are occupying northeastern Syria. I told him that we are ready to provide the necessary support to Syria in the fight against all forms of terrorism, be it Daesh or PKK. We reaffirmed that we stand with them in the context of control of the camps in northeastern Syria. I would like to express our satisfaction with the strong will displayed by my brother Ahmed Sharaa in the fight against terrorism. I believe that by acting in solidarity, we will ensure that an atmosphere of peace and trust, free of terror, prevails in our common geography.”
- Speaking to reporters, Al-Sharaa said: “We are working on building a strategic partnership with Turkey to confront the security threats in the region to guarantee permanent security and stability to Syria and Turkey.” He added that they had discussed “threats that prevent territorial unity in northeastern Syria,” using more conciliatory language to refer to the northeast than Erdogan did.
- The KNC recognized Ahmed al-Sharaa as President of Syria in a statement, calling on him to “end the historical injustice inflicted on the Kurdish people, and to recognize their national rights in the constitution, in a way that consolidates national partnership and achieves justice and equality.”
February 3, 2025
- KCK Executive Council Member Zubeyir Aydar provided historical context for the PKK’s use of military force and said, “it is not right to say, “lay down your arms” or “give up the struggle” without changing the conditions. Conditions need to be created.”
- The DEM Party held meetings with its supporters in Siirt, Mersin and Istanbul to discuss ongoing peace talks.
- Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa discussed negotiations between Damascus and the SDF in two interviews.
- He told The Economist that the SDF had “announced their readiness to join that state and integrate their military forces into the state” but that there was “discussion over the details” of how that integration would occur.
- He shared the same assessment with Syria TV, adding that he would not elaborate on points of disagreement because “here are many parties that do not have an interest in these negotiations succeeding.”
February 2, 2025
- The DEM Party began a series of “Social Peace and Freedom Meetings” to explain the status of talks between the government of Turkey and PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan to the public.
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi addressed ongoing negotiations with the new Syrian government in an interview with the Associated Press. He said that negotiations with Damascus were ongoing with U.S., British and French mediation and reiterated that SDF want to see “a decentralized, secular and civil country based on democracy that preserves the rights of all of its components.”
- The DAANES condemned the new Syrian government’s ‘Victory Congress,’ stating that “we emphasize once again that this meeting is not legitimate and does not represent the Syrian people.” In particular, they criticized the exclusion of the northeast from the meeting and the inclusion of groups like Ahrar al-Sharqiyah and the Sultan Suleiman Shah Division, which are under U.S. sanctions for serious violations against Kurds, Yezidis, and women in Turkish-occupied territories.
February 1, 2025
- Turkish Minister of Justice Yilmaz Tunc discussed the possibility of a new constitution. “A compromise will be reached in the 28th term of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and in this meaningful period when we have started the Turkish Century, we will continue on our path not by making a coup constitution but by making a democratic, civil, participatory social contract in which all segments of society find themselves,” he said. The drafting of a new constitution that would allow Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to run for office again is seen as one of the government’s motivations for negotiations.
January 31, 2025
- KONGRA-GEL Co-Chair Remzi Kartal discussed the PKK’s use of military force in an interview with Mezopotamya Agency. “Weapons cannot be laid down unless the reasons for armament are eliminated,” he said, explaining that the group is “is the outcome of the policies of denial and annihilation that the state has been implementing since its establishment.”
- KCK Executive Council Member Sabri Ok criticized the government’s attitude towards negotiations, particularly AKP Spokesperson Omer Celik’s remarks. “For example, the other day Ömer Çelik said there is no bargaining, no negotiations, no such thing. Well, wouldn’t they ask what is there then? They just say the PKK should put down their weapons, Leader Apo should say put down their weapons. Leader Apo said it in 2013 and he says it today; if he is not free, if the heavy isolation is not lifted, if his conditions do not change, then no step can be taken. If the Turkish state, the AKP, wants to do something or especially if they understand the democratic solution that Leader Apo developed as a result of great efforts, they must first be serious,” he said.
- U.S. President Donald Trump addressed reports that the U.S. was planning to withdraw troops from Northeast Syria, telling reporters “I don’t know who said that, but we’ll make a determination on that.”
January 30, 2025
- DEM Party Spokesperson Aysegul Dogan responded to AKP Spokesperson Omer Celik’s claim that the Imrali meetings had ended. “There is no such information conveyed to our delegation. We think that the Imrali visits should continue. We have expressed this dozens of times in the context of lifting the isolation. The isolation should be lifted, and Mr. Ocalan should meet with both the DEM Party İmralı Delegation, his family, his lawyers, and different segments of society,” Dogan said.
January 29, 2025
- Elected mayor of Siirt Center District Municipality Sofya Alagas was removed from office and replaced with a trustee. The DEM Party condemned the trustee appointment, warning that “The right of 85 million people in Turkey to vote and be elected is being violated with trustee coups. The ballot box and elections are being rendered meaningless.”
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi addressed PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s expected February 15th message, saying “we believe that there will be something about northeast Syria in the statement. Abdullah Öcalan is a great leader and has many ties to this region. Here, everything is connected.”
- Syria’s de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa declared himself interim president.
January 28, 2025
- KCK Co-Chair Bese Hozat criticized PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s prison conditions, saying “Parliament must now act legislatively and ensure that Rêber Apo can exercise his ‘Right to Hope’ before it demands anything from him. Hozat also addressed discussions around the PKK’s use of military force: “Because of the existence of the Kurdish question, there is an armed struggle…Right now, Rêber Apo is working in Imrali for the democratic solution of the Kurdish question and the democratization of Turkey….if this process develops, if the Kurdish question is solved, the issue of weapons will of course be discussed,” she said.
- Siirt Center District Municipality Mayor Sofya Alagas was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in prison on on terrorism charges related to her work as a journalist.
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullari shared more information about the DEM Party Imrali Delegation’s Jan. 22 meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan. According to Hatimogullari, Ocalan told the delegation, “In this period of overlapping crises, resorting to stalling, wait-and-see policies regarding the solution of the Kurdish issue and the democratization of Turkey would be the greatest harm that could be done to the people of Turkey.’
- MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said “”It is my sincere wish that the meetings between the DEM delegation and İmralı will be unconditional support for a terror-free Turkey and that the expected call will be announced as soon as possible.”
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi discussed northeast Syria’s position in negotiations with various parties in an interview with Hawar News Agency.
- SDF-HTS Relations: “Until now, there have been no clashes between our forces,” Abdi said, adding that “Currently, with the support of intermediaries, there is military coordination between us in Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, and Aleppo city.” He said the two sides had agreed that “there should be one army in Syria, and the SDF should be a part of it. Discussions as to the implementation of these points are ongoing.”
- Kurdish-Kurdish Dialogue: “Aside from the visit to Erbil, there have been no other meetings. We had a phone call with KRG President Nechirvan Barzani. As you also know, our relationships with PUK leader Bafel Talabani continue…At this time, Kurdish unity is more important than ever, and steps must be taken. Also, we as SDF are concerned about all of the components of North and East Syria,” he said.
- International Mediation: “From the beginning, there were efforts to stop the [Turkish] attacks; on the part of the U.S. and the Coalition in particular. Those efforts are continuing. We can see an example of this in Kobane. The stability that we see there and in other regions is the outcome of ongoing support from those forces for us,” Abdi continued.
- A KNC delegation met with SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi to discuss Kurdish unity, with the support of the U.S.-led Global Coalition. KNC spokesman Faisal Yussef said that the two sides agreed to establish a joint Kurdish delegation to negotiate with Syria’s new government.
January 27, 2025
- AKP Spokesperson Omer Celik said “the [Imrali] visit traffic is complete. The expected call for the elimination of the terrorist organization is coming out after this. Our own views were expressed in the visit traffic. The visiting delegation expressed how they viewed the issue with all clarity. We also put forward our stance regarding the work done in the past and how we viewed it in this period. The point reached includes the call regarding the elimination of the terrorist organization and laying down arms. This is not a give and take, bargaining process in any way.”
- DAANES Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed discussed ongoing negotiations with HTS in an interview with NuJINHA, saying that both parties agreed on Syria’s territorial integrity and the creation of a national army but that there is a “difference of opinion on the decentralization of Syria. She also alleged that Turkey had appointed “advisors” to positions in the interim government.
- KNC Spokesperson Faisal Yussef told North Press Agency that a meeting between the KNC and SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi was expected “in the coming days.”
January 26, 2025
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein in Baghdad. Fidan called on Iraq to step up efforts to counter the PKK. The foreign ministers also discussed the situation in Syria.
January 25, 2025
- KCK Executive Council Member Sozdar Avesta discussed the PKK’s historical relationship to armed force in an interview. “The Kurds or the Freedom Movement did not want to arm themselves. For example, after what oppression did the PKK arm itself? When comrades Kemal [Pir], Hayri [Durmus], Mazlum [Dogan], Sara [Sakine Cansiz], Akif [Yilmaz] and Ali [Cicek] went on a hunger strike in Amed prison, did they have weapons in their hands? It was 1980, the PKK had not yet started an armed struggle. But the state applied such violence that it did not recognize the right to life of the Kurdish people and made them go through massacres. That is why the Kurdish people armed themselves to defend themselves,” Avesta said. She also addressed claims that PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan would make a statement on February 15, the anniversary of his capture, saying “I believe that the period we are in, the anniversary of February 15th, will be a different move for the freedom struggle of the people of Kurdistan, women and all peoples..”
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “After we have completely saved our country from the scourge of terrorism that has been sucking our blood for 40 years, God willing, we will proceed towards our goals with rapid steps. When the terror barrier between 85 million people is demolished, we will hopefully embrace each other more tightly and become more united…We will struggle to ensure that 85 million people, regardless of whether they are Turks, Kurds, Arabs, Alevis or Sunnis, live together as brothers and sisters, and embrace each other with love.”
January 24, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation shared more information about the meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan that took place on Jan. 22 with party officials. Kurdish media reported several critical points.
- Broadening the Process: “Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is making preparations for a society-based solution, not a solution between the government and Imrali. Progress will be achieved by making it so peace and solutions belong to society,” a DEM Party official told JINNEWS. “Öcalan sees it as very important for this issue to be on the floor of the Parliament. He sees it as a democratic legal process for a democratic Turkey,” reported Mezopotamya Agency, also quoting an unnamed DEM Party official.
- Laying Down Arms: The end of the PKK’s armed conflict was reportedly just one of many topics up for discussion. “It is very important to eliminate the causes of the problem. Otherwise, one problem ends and another starts. The current discussion in Imrali is not just a discussion about this. Yes, there is this discussion, but it is not the only focus. The government is trying to highlight its own position with this situation,” the DEM Party official told Mezopotamya Agency.
- Syria: “Mr. Abdullah Öcalan is of the opinion that since the general authority and status of Syria are not yet clear, Rojava, especially the Kurds and other peoples, should not be put into situations where they will face threats. He emphasizes the formation of a decentralized solution…Mr. Öcalan outlined in these talks that ‘the only solution that will save both Turkey, Syria, Iraq and even Iran is to establish a basis for democratization by making peace with all peoples. This is the only solution that will save even Iran.’ He is making preparations for a historical solution,” the DEM Party official told JINNEWS.
- What’s Next: A third meeting is expected. The DEM Party Imrali Delegation is likely to continue to meet with political parties and other relevant actors in Turkey in the interim. According to the DEM Party official, “a platform will be created where Mr. Öcalan will address all segments and forces affiliated with him as soon as possible.”
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi welcomed UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen’s support for negotiations between the SDF and Damascus. “The issue of North and East Syria and the integration of our forces within the Syrian state requires a well-thought-out approach that paves the way for a comprehensive national vision and leads to a united Syria that reflects its diversity, guarantees fair representation, and secures justice and equality for all,” Abdi wrote in a post on X.
- Former KRG President Masoud Barzani discussed his meeting with SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi in an interview. He said “Kurds in Syria must first unite internally and then present their demands collectively to Damascus,” adding that he advised Abdi to “unify Kurdish discourse, stay hopeful, and not allow external influences to dictate Kurdish demands. While Barzani condemned the PKK’s influence in Syria, citing Turkish concerns, he challenged Turkish and Syrian fears of decentralization, describing federalism as “an alternative to suppression and persecution, ensuring rights for all components of society.”
January 23, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation issued a statement on their second meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan: As the DEM Party İmralı Delegation, we held a meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island on January 22, 2025. During the meeting, Mr. Öcalan first offered his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic fire in Bolu and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. Our delegation provided him with the necessary information regarding the meetings we held. Mr. Öcalan’s work on the process continues. Once his preparations on this matter are completed, the necessary statements will be made to the public. We, as a delegation, will continue our work and contacts, and will inform the public as developments occur. This process will enable everyone, all of us, to live together and freely. We expect valuable contributions from all segments of society in the hope that this will happen.”
- Abdullah Ocalan told the DEM Party Imrali Delegation that efforts to present political parties with information about the previous meeting were “very valuable” and said “There is still a long way to go. We have to succeed this time,” according to DEM Party officials quoted by Mezopotamya Agency.
- KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. According to a readout, the two discussed the situation in Syria and the importance of protecting the rights of the Kurdish community.
- Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa said that the SDF was refusing to hand arms over to the new state.
- The SDF denied rumors of clashes between their forces and Syrian government forces. Abu Omar al-Idlibi, an Arab SDF commander, alleged that a meeting between the SDF, the new Syrian military authorities, and the U.S.-led Coalition had taken place to address counter-ISIS coordination.
- U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. “Secretary Rubio highlighted the need for an inclusive transition in Syria, ensuring that the new government prevents Syria from becoming a source for international terrorism, and denying foreign malign actors the opportunity to exploit Syria’s transition for their own objectives,” said a U.S. readout.
January 22, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation met with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan for a second time. The meeting lasted four hours.
- KCK Executive Council Member Duran Kalkan said “apart from words, we don’t see anything in practice” in reference to negotiations with the government of Turkey. “We are not saying that everything is negative, but especially those who make these calls, those who are responsible for this, if they really want to change something, then they must take the practical steps required by it,” he continued.
- Journalist Amberin Zaman reported for Al-Monitor that an agreement between the PKK and the government of Turkey that would end the 40-year-old armed conflict in Turkey and promote a resolution to the Kurdish issue in northern Syria was “close to being finalized.”
- Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Shaibani shared a message in the Kurdish language on his X account. “Kurds in Syria add beauty and light to the diversity of the Syrian people. The Kurdish community in Syria suffered under the Assad regime. Together, we can establish a country where everyone can feel equality and justice,” he wrote. The post marked the first time a Syrian official had issued an official statement in the Kurdish language. Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES) Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed responded on her X account, saying that Shaibani’s statement was positive. “Kurds will give their color to Syrian society when their rights are guaranteed in the constitution. Together, we can establish a pluralist, equal, and decentralized new Syria,” she wrote.
- In an interview with the Financial Times, Shaibani said that the new government would guarantee Kurdish rights and representation and that there was no longer any justification for the existence of the SDF.
- Speaking to the AFP, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said that the door was open for negotiations between the SDF and Damascus, but that the new government was ready to use force if they failed.
- UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen said “We need to give the two parties [the SDF and HTS] time to find a solution so that we…avoid a full-scale military confrontation. A full-scale military confrontation will have a very negative impact on Syria and should be avoided because I think we are now looking for the beginning, for a new Syria, then hopefully that will also include the Northeast in a peaceful manner through a diplomatic process.”
January 21, 2025
- Former KRG President Masoud Barzani met with a delegation of the KNC to discuss Syrian Kurdish unity efforts. “During the meeting, President Barzani stressed the need to unify ranks, coordinate and work together between the Kurdish parties in Syria,” said a readout from the KDP foreign relations press office.
January 20, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation applied to meet with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan for a second time.
- The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs expressed support for SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi and former KRG President Masoud Barzani’s meeting in a post on X. “Intra-Kurdish dialogue can play a critical role in bolstering an inclusive political transition in Syria,” they underlined.
January 19, 2025
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi told Al Arabiya that the SDF would not disarm or dissolve, but would be willing to pursue a negotiated integration into a future Syrian army. He reiterated that the SDF did not seek to divide Syria and instead hoped for the rights of Kurds to be guaranteed by the constitution. In addition, he expressed support for dialogue between the government of Turkey and the PKK, saying “Kurdish leader Öcalan, has extended a hand of peace to [Erdogan]. He must seize this opportunity because it represents a historic chance for him, otherwise he will regret it.”
- Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra said that integration as a unified bloc was not an appropriate resolution for the status of the SDF.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey would “eradicate” all terrorist organizations in Syria and take “radical” steps to crush the YPG.
January 18, 2025
- In a written statement, the KCK Executive Council claimed for the first time that the “total isolation” of Abdullah Ocalan had been “overcome.” They called the DEM Party’s meetings with other parties in parliament “positive” and said that “we consider the support of all political parties and democratic mass organizations crucial for the solution of the Kurdish question and the end of the war.”
January 17, 2025
- The DEM Party shared a statement summarizing the Imrali Delegation’s meetings with political parties. The text of the statement was as follows: “After our meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan on Imrali Island on 28 December 2024, we conducted a series of talks based on the outcomes of that meeting and his expressed wishes. These included meetings with the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), political parties, and our political colleagues currently in prison. Our visits and meetings began on 3 January with the Speaker of the Parliament, Mr. Numan Kurtulmuş, and continued with meetings with the leaders and representatives of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Future Party, Justice and Development Party (AKP), Felicity Party (SP), Republican People’s Party (CHP), Democracy and Progress Party (DEVA), and the Re-Welfare Party (Yeniden Refah Partisi). On 11-12 January, we also met with our former co-chairs and political colleagues currently in prison, including Ms. Figen Yüksekdağ, Mr. Selahattin Demirtaş, Ms. Leyla Güven, and Mr. Selçuk Mızraklı. This process of dialogue and exchange of ideas, which focuses on peace, has also been initiated with our co-chairs, party committees, the political parties and formations that make up our coalition, our allied political parties, and civil society organizations. We would first like to extend our sincere gratitude and respect to all the political parties and their esteemed leaders who received us with courtesy and good will, shared their valuable opinions and suggestions, and expressed their concerns and criticisms in a highly constructive manner. The main focus of our meeting agendas was to convey the results of our discussion with Mr. Öcalan and evaluate the new developments together. These discussions centered around finding a lasting solution to the Kurdish question and the resulting conflict, the historical responsibility to strengthen the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood, the obligations arising from the deep and irreversible developments in the Middle East, and the recognition of the Parliament and democratic politics as the most important platforms for resolving these issues. Nearly all the meetings were positive, sincere, and encouraging. Leaders and their delegations expressed their principled support for a peace process. However, they also raised various concerns and made suggestions, primarily regarding the transparency of the process and the need for it to be conducted within the framework of the Parliament. Our delegation responded to these concerns and clarified ambiguities during the discussions. Our impression from these meetings is that there is a shared desire and will among all political parties to move beyond the conflict and tension caused by the Kurdish question. There is a shared understanding that fostering the unity and brotherhood of all ethnic, religious, and sect groups in our country would benefit everyone. A parallel feeling is that the peace process should also contribute to general democratization and the expansion of the democratic political space. Our discussions with our co-chairs and colleagues in prison were also highly constructive. They expressed their clear support for the role that Mr. Öcalan and the DEM Party will play in this process, and they stated that they are committed to fulfilling their responsibilities in strengthening the political and social groundwork. In this period when we are focusing on peace, democracy, and brotherhood for Turkey and the region, we find that divisive and prejudiced language in the media, along with the speculation it creates, complicates our work. We are aware that this process carries not only the expectations and hopes of everyone but also their concerns, sensitivities, and questions. Given this, fabricating baseless claims, circulating unfounded rumors, and creating morally questionable agendas can only amount to warmongering. With all the positive impressions we have gathered, we will make every effort to visit Mr. Öcalan again as soon as possible and work toward achieving peace through sound methods. The continued support of the public for these efforts will remain the most valuable cornerstone in building peace and finding a solution.”
- DEM Party MP and Imrali Delegation member Pervin Buldan said that the talks so far represented “a search, rather than a process.” She also claimed that Abdullah Ocalan had said that any process should be addressed within parliament and supported by legislation and legal frameworks.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that “If the organization lays down its arms, disbands its cadres, and its political wing begins to act like a genuine Turkish party, then all 85 million of our people will benefit.”
- KCK Co-Chair Cemil Bayik said that Turkish authorities “have not taken any step so far” in response to Abdullah Ocalan‘s efforts. He also criticized the government for using language that “does not serve a solution.”
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi met with U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael E. Kurilla and other U.S. military leaders to discuss “the critical role of the U.S. in achieving a permanent ceasefire in Northeast Syria,” according to a post on Abdi’s X account.
January 16, 2025
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi met with former KRG President Masoud Barzani in Erbil, the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The meeting focused on efforts to unify the Kurdish position in Syria and prevent further conflict in the region, according to readouts.
January 15, 2025
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey could “crush” the YPG in Syria. He also proposed that Turkey assist the new Syrian government in managing the thousands of ISIS detainees currently held by the SDF.
January 14, 2025
- MHP leader Devlet Bahceli repeated his demand that PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan dissolve his organization and declare an end to “terrorism” in Turkey. “In the alleged second meeting to be held between the DEM delegation and Imrali, it should be declared without any conditions that the organizational existence of the PKK has ended, that no result has been achieved through terrorism, and this bloody page has been closed by paying a high price,” he said.
January 13, 2025
- A trustee was appointed to the Akdeniz District Municipality in Mersin, replacing elected DEM Party mayor Hoshyar Sariyildiz. The DEM Party won the Akdeniz mayorship in March 2024 with 36.92% of the vote (47,843 votes).
- Dr. Hamid Darbandi, a representative of former KRG President Masoud Barzani, visited northeast Syria to meet with SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi and with the KNC, a group of Syrian Kurdish parties linked to Barzani’s KDP. The meetings discussed efforts to unify Syrian Kurdish parties to strengthen the Kurdish hand in negotiations with Damascus.
January 12, 2025
- Speaking in Diyarbakir, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for the PKK to disband and said that talks with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan were an opportunity to “end the scourge of terrorism.”
January 11, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation, along with elected DEM Party mayor of Mardin Ahmet Turk, visited former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas in prison. Demirtas expressed his “full trust and support” for the delegation, the DEM Party, and PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan. He also thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli, CHP leader Ozgur Ozel and other party leaders for their engagement.
January 10, 2025
- The KCK Executive Council issued a written statement calling the DEM Party’s meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan and their subsequent meetings with Turkish political parties “very positive.” In the same statement, they condemned ongoing Turkish attacks on northeast Syria.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated that the new Syrian government should be given an opportunity to address the presence of the YPG.
January 7, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation, along with elected DEM Party mayor of Mardin Ahmet Turk, met delegations from the CHP, the DEVA Party, and the New Welfare Party. The CHP delegation was led by CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel. Ozel called for any peace process to be led by the Turkish Parliament and emphasized social consensus. He said that the CHP “would contribute to any steps to be taken in order to eliminate this problem that has been going on for 50 years in Turkey.” The DEVA Party delegation included DEVA Party Chairman Ali Babacan. Babacan said that “legitimate solution ground for Turkey’s problems is democratic politics” and expressed support for “every sincere step taken for the purpose of a solution.” The New Welfare Party delegation included New Welfare Party Chairman Fatih Erbakan.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that Syria’s new authorities should deal with the Kurdish issue, but that Turkey would not rule out a military operation against the SDF if they were unable to do so.
January 6, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation, along with elected DEM Party mayor of Mardin Ahmet Turk, met with delegations from the AKP, the Saadet Party, and the Future Party. The AKP delegation included Parliamentary Group Chairman Abdullah Guler, Spokesperson Omer Celik, Group Deputy Chair Ozlem Zengin, and Deputy Chairman Efkan Ala. The Saadet Party delegation included Saadet Party Chairman Mahmut Arikan. The Future Party delegation included Future Party Chairman and former Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey “will not consent to the disintegration of Syria.” He threatened further military action in northern Syria, saying that “the only fate awaiting those who choose terror and violence is to be buried in the ground with their weapons.”
January 5, 2025
- A U.S. delegation met with the KNC to discuss Syrian Kurdish unity talks.
January 2, 2025
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation, along with elected DEM Party mayor of Mardin Ahmet Turk, met with MHP leader Devlet Bahceli. The group also met with AKP MP and Turkish Parliament speaker Numan Kurtulmus. DEM MP and Imrali Delegation member Sirri Sureyya Onder said that “we informed [Kurtulmus] about our meeting, listened to his suggestions and made a general assessment,” indicating that the meeting “went well.”
December 30, 2024
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation said of their meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan that “we can say that we are much more hopeful compared to previous processes.”
- A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense said that the ceasefire between Turkey and the SDF between Manbij and Kobane was “still holding.”
- An SDF delegation led by SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi met with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
December 29, 2024
- The DEM Party Imrali Delegation issued a readout of their meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan. The text of the statement is as follows: “On 28 December 28 2024, we held a comprehensive meeting with Mr. Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı. He is in good health, and his morale was notably high. His assessments, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the Kurdish issue, were of vital importance. During the meeting, recent developments in the Middle East and Turkey were discussed, and Mr. Öcalan proposed constructive solutions to counter the imposed scenarios of a bleak future. The main points of his thoughts and approach can be summarized as follows: – Strengthening Turkish-Kurdish fraternity anew is not only a historical responsibility but also a matter of decisive importance and urgency for all peoples. – To ensure the success of this process, it is essential for all political circles in Turkey to rise above narrow and short-term calculations, take initiative, act constructively, and contribute positively. Undoubtedly, one of the most significant platforms for such contributions will be the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM). – Recent incidents in Gaza and Syria have demonstrated that the resolution of this issue, which has been aggravated by external interventions, can no longer be postponed. The contributions and proposals of the opposition are also valuable to successfully carry out efforts proportional to the gravity of this matter. – I possess the necessary competence and determination to contribute positively to the new paradigm supported by Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan. – The delegation will convey my approach to both the state and political circles. In light of this, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the required call. – All these efforts will elevate the country to the level it deserves and serve as an invaluable guide for democratic transformation.- This is an era of peace, democracy, and fraternity for Turkey and the region.”
December 28, 2024
- A DEM Party delegation consisting of Van MP Pervin Buldan and Istanbul MP Sirri Sureyya Onder met with Abdullah Ocalan in Imrali Prison.
December 24, 2024
- A French delegation met with the PYD and allied Kurdish parties to discuss Syrian Kurdish unity talks.
December 23, 2024
- A meeting between an SDF delegation led by Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi and a KNC delegation was held with U.S.-led Global Coalition mediation. The parties discussed Syrian Kurdish unity efforts and pledged to continue meeting.
December 22, 2024
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Damascus to meet with the new Syrian government. He was the first foreign minister to do so. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Fidan called for the YPG to disband.
December 19, 2024
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi said that Kurdish fighters who were not Syrian citizens, including those who are members of the PKK, would leave northeast Syria if a comprehensive ceasefire was reached.
- Contradicting U.S. statements, a Turkish defense official denied reports of a ceasefire. “As Turkey, it is out of the question for us to have talks with any terrorist organisation. The (U.S.) statement must be a slip of the tongue,” the official said.
December 17, 2024
- The U.S.-brokered ceasefire between the SDF and SNA between Manbij and Kobane was extended through December 22nd.
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi said that the SDF would accept a demilitarized zone in Kobane supervised by international forces to address Turkey’s security concerns.
December 15, 2024
- Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Guler said that Turkey’s “primary agenda is the dissolution of the PKK/YPG” and called on the U.S. to reevalute its support for the group. ““In the new chapter, the PKK/YPG in Syria will be dissolved sooner or later,” Guler continued. “This is the aim of the Syrian administration. Terrorist members coming from outside Syria will leave the country. Those that are Syrian will leave arms.”
December 14, 2024
- U.S. troops returned to Kobane for the first time since 2019.
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi expressed support for Kurdish unity talks in a post on X. “Kurdish national unity in Syria has become a historical necessity dictated by the challenges of the stage.
We call on the Kurdish parties to move away from partisan interests and respond to popular calls for dialogue and unity of position. We call on everyone to interact positively with the current efforts to achieve Kurdish national unity, to reach a position that supports the Syrian dialogue and participates in building the future of a democratic and pluralistic Syria,” he wrote.
December 13, 2024
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that non-Syrian members of the PKK and Syrian Kurds in YPG’s command structures must leave Syria and that other YPG fighters must disarm.
December 12, 2024
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi announced that the SDF were de-conflicting with HTS and that they hoped to send a delegation to Damascus to meet with the country’s new authorities.
- Kurdish sources told North Press Agency that U.S. and French delegations had been meeting with the KNC and PYD to discuss renewed Syrian Kurdish unity talks after the fall of the Assad regime.
December 11, 2024
- The SDF announced a retreat from Manbij as part of a ceasefire brokered by the United States intended to freeze the conflict between the SDF and the Turkey-backed SNA along the Euphrates River between Manbij and Kobane. The Turkey-backed SNA took control of Manbij.
December 10, 2024
- U.S. CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael E. Kurilla met with the SDF in Syria, the first U.S. meeting with Syrian Kurdish leaders since the fall of Assad.
December 9, 2024
- The KCK Executive Council issued a written statement congratulating the people of Syria on the fall of the Assad regime. They said that “the collapse of the Baathist regime has once again proved what kind of an end the monist nation-state system will face,” and said that the “democratic nation” model is the best solution for Syria.
December 8, 2024
- The Assad regime collapsed after HTS and other rebel groups entered Damascus.
- Syrian Kurdish leaders responded with positive messages. We are living through historic moments in Syria as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus. This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantees the rights of all Syrians,” wrote SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi in a post on his X account. “The era of tyranny is over. Today, we turn the page on the past and open the door of hope to unify the efforts of Syrians towards a better future based on justice and democracy. Let us stop the shooting and make dialogue the basis of peace and rebuilding,” DAANES Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed wrote, also in a post on X.
- The DEM Party Foreign Affairs Commission issued a statement calling for “a transitional administration formed by the legitimate representatives of the Kurds, Sunni Arabs, Arab Alawites, Christians, Druze communities and all other minorities.”
December 5, 2024
- PYD Co-Chair Salih Muslim said “I am optimistic about [HTS]. They’re also Syrians. They should uphold the diversity of Syria,” suggesting openness to negotiating with HTS.
December 2, 2024
- Separate from HTS’ operations against the regime, Turkey-backed SNA factions took control of Shahba and Tal Rifaat from the SDF, displacing tens of thousands of predominantly Kurdish civilians.
November 30, 2024
- HTS took control of Aleppo city. The Kurdish neighborhoods of Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyah remained in the control of the YPG.
November 27, 2024
- HTS launched “Operation Deterring Aggression,” targeting the Syrian regime in northwestern Syria.
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said “they’re meeting” when asked about possible meetings between PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan and the DEM Party.
November 26, 2024
- MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said “We expect face-to-face dialogue between Imrali [the prison island where PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan is held] and the DEM Group to take place without delay and repeat our call with determination. In response, DEM Party Co-Chairs Tuncer Bakirhan and Tulay Hatimogullari applied to the Turkish Ministry of Justice to request a meeting.
- DAANES Foreign Minister Ilham Ahmed said Syrian Kurds were “cautiously optimistic” about talks between Ocalan and the Turkish government. “The situation here in Rojava is very important for the resumption of any kind of negotiations to do with the Kurdish peace process,” she pointed out.
November 22, 2024
- A trustee was appointed to Dersim (Tunceli) Center District Municipality, replacing elected DEM Party mayor Cevdet Konak.
- Former KRG President Masoud Barzani said “we are pleased to see discussions about a renewed peace process in Turkey.”
November 21, 2024
- Turkish authorities informed the Asrin Law Office, which represents PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan, that a six-month legal visit ban had been imposed on their client on November 6th.
- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that “‘If the people there [Kurds in Syria] have good intentions, they know their homework towards Turkey,” suggesting some level of dialogue between Turkey and the SDF and DAANES.
November 15, 2024
- KCK Executive Council Member Mustafa Karasu said “there is no intention or desire for such a solution on the side of the state.” He said that the meeting between DEM MP Omer Ocalan and PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan did not mean an end to the “isolation” of Abdullah Ocalan, and that the TAI attack “has no connection to the current discussions” on the Kurdish issue.
November 9, 2024
- KCK Co-Chair Cemil Bayik said that PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s “isolation” was ongoing. To begin negotiations, he said, Turkey must “start by lifting the absolute isolation of Rêber Apo [Abdullah Ocalan],” “end the Imrali system,” “ensure Rêber Apo’s health and safety and create the conditions for a free life and work.” He added that “if steps are taken for Rêber Apo to play his role, then he will solve the Kurdish question, and we and our people will follow whatever he develops.”
November 6, 2024
- KCK Co-Chair Bese Hozat said that the meeting between DEM MP Omer Ocalan and PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan “in no way means that the isolation has been overcome,” adding that “there is no solution process, as they say.”
November 5, 2024
- The KCK Executive Council condemned trustee appointments in Esenyurt, Mardin, Batman, and Halfeti in a written statement. The statement claimed that “the AKP-MHP government has neither an intention nor a plan for peace, brotherhood, and solution,” and called on Kurds to mobilize “until the usurpation of their will is ended and the municipalities are returned to the people.”
- Speaking in the Turkish Parliament, MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said, “If the terrorist PKK’s leader is going to declare the end of terrorism, he should stand before the DEM Group. I stand behind my words and insist on my offer,” he said.
November 4, 2024
- Trustees were appointed to the Mardin Metropolitan Municipality, Batman Center District Municipality, and Halfeti District Municipality, replacing elected DEM Party mayors Ahmet Turk, Gulistan Sonuk and Mehmet Karayilan. The DEM Party condemned the trustee appointments. In a written statement, the party said that the appointments “undermine any pursuit of dialogue and reconciliation.”
October 31, 2024
- A trustee was appointed to the Esenyurt District Municipality to replace democratically elected CHP mayor Ahmet Ozer. The appointment was met with protests by CHP and DEM Party supporters.
October 30, 2024
- PKK Executive Committee member Duran Kalkan commented on PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s meeting with DEM MP Omer Ocalan. He said that “even if partially and not completely, there is a change,” while warning that “the current situation does not inspire much confidence…the conditions for Rêber Apo’s health, safety and freedom of work must be ensured.” Kalkan also said of the TAI attack that “the action has no connection to the current processes. That is the truth. Nobody has issued an order that this action is to be carried out at that particular time,” he said.
- DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan said that his party had engaged in talks with the Justice Ministry “regarding the removal of the isolation of Ocalan.”
- CHP Esenyurt District Mayor Ahmet Ozer was arrested on terrorism charges. Ozer, who is Kurdish, was chosen as a candidate by an agreement between the DEM Party and the CHP. Both the CHP and the DEM Party condemned the arrest.
October 29, 2024
- MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said that “The Republic of Turkey does not and will never have a Kurdish problem. The Republic of Turkey does not have an ethnic or sectarian dilemma.”
October 27, 2024
- SDF Commander in Chief Mazlum Abdi said that the SDF and DAANES “wholeheartedly support a peaceful resolution of the Kurdish problem in Turkey” but that “if the elimination of our status here in northeastern Syria is the object of any peace talks, they will fail.”
- The DAANES claimed that Turkish strikes since October 23rd had targeted over 1,000 sites, killing 17 people, injuring 65, and damaging critical infrastructure.
October 26, 2024
- Turkey continued to strike targets in northeastern Syria.
- KCK Executive Council Member Zubeyir Aydar said that the TAI attack had nothing to do with renewed negotiations. He called for a “mutual and sincere” ceasefire between the government of Turkey and the PKK’s armed wing, noting that this step had been taken successfully in 2013.
October 25, 2024
- Turkey continued to strike targets in northeast Syria.
- The HPG, the armed wing of the PKK, claimed responsibility for the attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries, two days after it occurred. They emphasized that “this action has no relationship to the political agenda of the past month that has been discussed in Turkey.”
- Turkish Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek expressed support for Bahceli’s initiative and said that ““What is right for the country is to continue to boost fundamental rights and freedoms, enhance standards of democracy…I am optimistic that such an outreach, such a call for reconciliation won’t be left in the cold.”
October 24, 2024
- Turkey continued to strike targets in northeast Syria.
- DEM Party MP Omer Ocalan released a statement on his X account following his meeting with PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan: “I met with Mr. Öcalan at İmralı Island Prison on October 23. This visit was held within the scope of a family meeting. Mr. Öcalan made evaluations regarding general political developments during the meeting and requested that the following message be conveyed to the public: “The isolation continues. If the conditions are right, I have the theoretical and practical power to pull this process from the ground of conflict and violence to the ground of law and politics.” He was in good health and sent greetings to everyone.”
- DEM Party spokesperson Aysegul Dogan condemned the TAI attack and Turkey’s retaliatory strikes in northeast Syria in a press conference. She urged the government to respond to Abdullah Ocalan’s statement, saying “Mr. Ocalan and democratic politics are ready for a solution [to the Kurdish question]. Is the state ready?”
- The KCK Executive Council issued a written statement acknowledging Abdullah Ocalan‘s meeting with Omer Ocalan and affirming that “Our movement, with all its parts, structures, and organizations, will act according to the process that Rêber Apo [Abdullah Ocalan] will develop.” They also stressed that the Ankara attack “has absolutely nothing to do with the process being developed.”
October 23, 2024
- DEM Party MP Omer Ocalan, who is PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan’s nephew, met with Abdullah Ocalan in prison.
- The Peoples’ Defense Units (HPG), the armed wing of the PKK, carried out an attack on the headquarters of Turkish Aerospace Industries. The group did not immediately claim the attack. This company manufactures the armed drones Turkey has used in its war against Kurdish militants and civilian populations both within and beyond its borders. In response, Turkey began a campaign of airstrikes in Iraqi Kurdistan, Sinjar, and North and East Syria.
- The DEM Party condemned the attack, stating that “We find it meaningful that such an attack has taken place in these days when Turkish society is discussing solutions and the possibility of dialogue is emerging. We are deeply saddened by this attack and share the pain experienced. We must protect peace more than ever so that these painful events do not happen again.” Imprisoned former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas also condemned the attack in a post on X. “The mentality that tries to bloodily cut off the search for solutions to our problems through talk, dialogue and politics should know that if Öcalan takes the initiative and wants to pave the way for politics, we will be behind him with all our might. We will not accept any approach that aims to discredit democratic politics and peace quests and render them willless. Everyone should do their math accordingly. We will never allow the voices of those who want peace to be suppressed this time, regardless of who it comes from,” he wrote.
- PKK leaders expressed skepticism about MHP leader Devlet Bahceli‘s outreach to Abdullah Ocalan. HPG Commander Murat Karayilan said the group was not against a political solution and would not reject one, but that “after all this experience, we will not give credit to perception-building policies within the scope of ordinary psychological warfare tactics.” Karayilan warned that peace efforts that did not center on the freedom of PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan were “null and void” and suggested that Bahceli’s statements meant that the state tacitly accepted Ocalan as an interlocutor. Meanwhile, PKK Central Committee Member Helin Umit called Bahceli’s remarks “another psychological warfare game” and said that “it would be a mistake to expect very good results from this initiative.”
October 22, 2022
- MHP leader Devlet Bahceli repeated his call for PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan to declare an end to “terrorism” in Turkey. “Let the terrorist leader … unilaterally declare that terrorism is over and that his organization has been dissolved…If the terrorist leader’s isolation is lifted, let him come and speak at the DEM’s meeting in the Turkish Grand National Assembly. If he shows this determination, let the path for regulation toward the right to hope [potential release after serving 25 years of his life sentence] be opened,” he said.
- In response, DEM Party Co-Chair Tulay Hatimogullari said, “If there is to be a beginning, the isolation must be lifted immediately. We are ready to take the initiative for an honorable peace.”
October 21, 2024
- CHP Chairman Ozgur Ozel visited imprisoned former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas in prison. Demirtas issued a readout of the meeting via his X account. He emphasized that “the solution to the problems in Turkey is politics, and the institution for the solution is the Turkish Grand National Assembly.” Ozel also emphasized the importance of parliamentary participation in peace talks. “What really matters is that the right step is taken together for the interests of Turkey. The Republican People’s Party will not prevent this,” he said.
October 19, 2024
- The DEM Party Central Executive Committee met to discuss recent political developments. DEM Party Spokesperson Aysegul Dogan provided a readout. Dogan said that developments in Turkey could not be described as a new çözüm süreci (‘solution process,’ the term used for the failed 2013-2015 negotiations). She emphasized that DEM was committed to a political solution to the Kurdish question and ready to play a role in any dialogue. She also demanded an end to the visit and communication ban on PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan, emphasizing his role as an interlocutor.
October 17, 2024
- DEM Party Co-Chairs Tulay Hatimogullari and Tuncer Bakirhan visited imprisoned former HDP Co-Chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, who were arrested in 2016 on charges largely related to their political activities during the 2013-2015 peace process. The DEM Party issued the following statement on the meeting: “Our friends in prison said that they found the policy pursued by our party positive and supported it. They confirmed that both they and other political prisoners are ready to make every kind of contribution for an honorable peace. They stated that no steps have been taken regarding the process yet and that concrete steps need to be taken in this regard. They particularly stated that the most important and primary way to start this process is to lift the isolation [of Abdullah Ocalan] in Imrali [the high-security island prison where Ocalan is held]. Therefore, they said that isolation should be considered as an important agenda. They called on everyone who can contribute to an honorable peace to contribute as well.”
October 16, 2024
- KRG President Nechirvan Barzani met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara.
- KCK Executive Council Member Mustafa Karasu said that “there was no real resolution process between 2007 and 2015,” but that “we and the Kurdish democratic movement always say that we are in favor of a democratic solution.” He described several conditions that would have to change for there to be a “sincere intention to solve the Kurdish problem:” “The law is being violated in Imrali, heavy isolation is being applied, the dungeons have become death houses, thousands of politicians are inside, and there are arrests and pressures on Kurdish culture every day.”
October 15, 2024
- MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said that PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan should “declare an end to terrorism.”
- In response, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakirhan said, “Then lift the isolation, let’s see what Mr. Öcalan says.”
October 13, 2024
- The DEM Party held a rally in Diyarbakir demanding freedom for PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan and a return to peace negotiations. Police detained demonstrators and blocked others from attending.
- HPG Commander Murat Karayilan addressed rumors of a new peace process. “The greeting given to the DEM Party should not be attributed that much meaning, it should not be exaggerated. Some people even say, “I wonder if a new process will begin?” There is no such thing. No one should have such dreams. They are still killing Kurds every day and settling down; there is a war, there is isolation on Leader Apo. Therefore, there is no such thing,” he said.
October 12, 2024
- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed MHP leader Devlet Bahceli’s statements and suggested that a new constitution might be part of the solution: “We find Mr. Bahceli’s attitude positive and meaningful for our country’s struggle for democracy. We hope that the number of those who take these steps will increase in the future. As the number of those who take these steps increases, we hope that we can expand the base of social consensus on the new constitution…We are always ready to resolve issues through non-terrorist methods. Because we do politics to strengthen the peace and unity of our country and to provide our nation with the quality services it deserves. This is also why we call for a new constitution. [We need] to make an inclusive, fair, civilian, and libertarian constitution.”
October 10, 2024
- Journalist Amberin Zaman reported for Al-Monitor that Turkish officials had been meeting with imprisoned PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan, the first public reporting on renewed Turkey-PKK talks.
October 8, 2024
- KCK Co-Chair Bese Hozat addressed MHP leader Devlet Bahceli’s outreach to the DEM Party in an interview, the first such comment from the armed Kurdish movement. She said called the handshake “a new game” intended at countering Turkey’s opposition and said that, if Bahceli is serious about peace, “he should take [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan and [CHP Chairman] Ozgur Ozel and go to Imrali with them. They should sit down with Rêber Apo [PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan]. They should talk about the Kurdish question together, negotiate, and work out a joint democratic solution.”
October 1, 2024
- MHP leader Devlet Bahceli shook hands with DEM Party leaders in the Turkish Parliament. He invited DEM to become a “party of Turkey” and said that “we need to ensure peace in our own country.”
April 2024
- Alleged beginning of talks between the government of Turkey and imprisoned PKK founder and leader Abdullah Ocalan, per Al Monitor reporting in November 2024 and January 2025.
Photo taken by author on November 16, 2024.
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