For 30 years, the Kurdish nationalist movement PKK, which relied on imperialists and fought to reconcile with the collaborative oligarchy, has decided to dissolve itself!
THE DECISION TO DISSOLVE IS THE FAILURE OF KURDISH NATIONALISM!
IT IS AN ACT OF COLLABORATION WITH U.S. IMPERIALISM AND TURKISH FASCISM!
On October 1, 2024, the fascist MHP[1] leader Devlet Bahçeli called on Öcalan during the opening speech of the Parliament to “end terrorist activities and dissolve the organization.” This call was met with a response on February 27, 2025. On that day, a delegation from the DEM[2] Party was sent to İmralı, and Öcalan made the statement that imperialists and their collaborators, the Turkish fascist state, wanted to hear. Later, the DEM Party delegation returned to Istanbul and read Öcalan’s statement in both Turkish and Kurdish at a press conference held at the Marmara Hotel in Taksim.
Öcalan’s call for the dissolution of the PKK was, in fact, what the Kurdish nationalist movement had been aiming for since declaring its first ceasefire in 1993. The prolongation of this process until today was due to the political strategies of the imperialists in the region. The timing of the statement, the selection of individuals in the DEM Party delegation, the seating arrangement, and even the punctuation of the announcement were all determined by U.S. imperialism and its collaborator, the fascist AKP. Indeed, right after Öcalan’s dissolution statement, the main opposition party CHP’s leader Özgür Özel revealed that this process had been prepared in secret meetings for over a year. What we are witnessing today is merely the public staging of negotiations and agreements that were finalized behind closed doors.
Öcalan’s call for the dissolution of the PKK is the inevitable result of the fact that nationalism is a dead end. However, Öcalan still attempts to explain this within a framework outside nationalism. The history of the Kurdish nationalist movement is a history of self-denials; in his call for dissolution, Öcalan includes denials and distortions in the exact manner that imperialists and their collaborators want to hear.
Öcalan states: “The PKK emerged in the 20th century, the most intense century of violence in history, amid two world wars, the Cold War, and the denial of Kurdish reality. The organization’s theory, program, strategy, and tactics were heavily influenced by the real socialist system of the century. The collapse of real socialism in the 1990s due to internal reasons and the resolution of identity denial in the country, along with improvements in freedom of expression, led to the PKK’s lack of meaning and excessive repetition. Consequently, like its counterparts, it has completed its lifespan and requires dissolution.”
TRUTHS AND DISTORTIONS INTERTWINED
- The PKK was influenced by the armed revolutionary struggle in Turkey during the 1970s. The PKK was influenced by the Marxist-Leninist armed revolutionary movement in Turkey but never was a Marxist-Leninist movement itself. The PKK emerged as a Kurdish petty-bourgeois nationalist movement, and throughout its history, its ideology, program, strategy, and tactics were shaped by petty-bourgeois nationalism.
- Öcalan cites the collapse of real socialism as a reason for the PKK’s dissolution. This is a narrative the Kurdish nationalist movement has repeated since the 1990s to justify aligning with imperialists. The term “real socialism” is an attempt to deny the betrayal of socialism by revisionist leaders such as Khrushchev and Gorbachev. Instead of recognizing the counter-revolutions that destroyed socialist states, the Kurdish nationalist movement has used the so-called internal failures of “real socialism” to attack socialism itself. This attack continues in Öcalan’s call for dissolution.
- Öcalan claims that the historical denial of Kurdish reality has ended. Weren’t figures like Özal and Demirel already saying, “We recognize the Kurdish reality”? In other words, they claimed, “There is no Kurdish issue, only a terrorism or PKK issue.”
- The foundation that enabled the PKK to exist—primarily the restrictions on freedoms, especially regarding expression—has disappeared, and the advancements in freedom of expression have rendered the PKK’s existence meaningless. That is why, while similar organizations ceased to exist in the 1990s, the PKK has continued to repeat itself until today. In this situation, insisting on demands such as armed struggle, an independent Kurdistan, federalism, autonomy, or self-governance is meaningless. Therefore, its dissolution is inevitable.
History cannot be rewritten by distorting facts. Although 30–35 years have passed, everyone remembers the 1990s—the period when thousands of villages were burned and destroyed, millions of Kurds were displaced, arrests, torture, massacres, executions, disappearances, and extrajudicial killings were at their peak, and counter-guerrilla forces were in power. Calling this period one of “advancements in freedom of expression” is a deliberate lie and distortion intended to convince the Kurdish people to accept their dissolution.
A so-called Turkish-Kurdish alliance based on voluntary unity has existed for 1,000 years against hegemonic forces… These are the narratives that the fascist state wants to be heard. There has never been inherent hostility between the peoples.
In Anatolia, Kurds, Turks, Laz, Circassians, Greeks, Armenians, Muslims, Christians, Alevis, and Sunnis have lived together for centuries, even millennia. The source of the problem is the ruling elites. It is the rulers—both in the past and today—who divide, fragment, and pit peoples against each other.
According to Öcalan, “Turks and Kurds have been in an alliance for a thousand years, but for the last 200 years, capitalist modernity has been trying to break this alliance. This process accelerated with the homogenizing policies of the Republic.” This paragraph serves the oligarchy’s long-standing rhetoric of portraying the legitimate struggles of the people as “foreign intervention,” thus legitimizing the oligarchy itself.
Öcalan states, “The primary task today is to reorganize the fragile historical relationship in a spirit of brotherhood, without ignoring faith.”
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
As fascist Erdoğan himself said, “We need to regulate and strengthen our interior.” Here, it must also be noted that the Kurdish nationalist movement attempts to cover up the crimes of the imperialists it collaborates with by referring to them as “capitalist modernity” instead of calling them imperialists. Since the 1990s, Kurdish nationalists have claimed that imperialism has changed and is now promoting democracy by overthrowing dictatorships. By using the term “capitalist modernity,” they try to obscure imperialism’s crimes and their own collaboration with it.
INDEPENDENCE, FEDERALISM, AUTONOMY, CULTURAL DEMANDS…
THE DENIAL OF ALL EXISTENCE
The Kurdish nationalist movement emerged with the demand for an independent Kurdistan. In the 1990s, it abandoned this demand and instead settled for “federalism, autonomy, or even local governance.” Later, it further retreated to cultural and linguistic rights. Today, Öcalan states: “The inevitable result of extreme nationalist deviation is that separate nation-states, federations, administrative autonomy, and culturalist solutions cannot address historical societal sociology.”
So, what is Öcalan’s solution? Peace with fascism and a “democratic society.” But with whom will this reconciliation be made? With AKP fascism?
As Öcalan makes a call to dissolve the PKK, AKP fascism continues its attacks. Just a week ago, the DEM Party’s Kağızman mayor was removed from office and replaced by a trustee. Raids, detentions, torture, and arrests continue unabated.
THOSE EXPECTING PEACE, RECONCILIATION, AND DEMOCRACY FROM THE AKP ASK IN “BEWILDERMENT”:
WHAT KIND OF RECONCILIATION IS THIS? WHAT KIND OF PEACE?
HAS DEMOCRACY EVER BEEN ACHIEVED THROUGH COMPROMISE WITH FASCISM?
There is no problem with AKP’s fascism; they described the meetings with Öcalan as “for a country without terrorism.” They also claim that the ongoing operations are part of a “fight against terrorism.”
In the history of societies, there has never been a concept called a “Democratic Society.” Throughout human history, societies have been categorized as Primitive, Slave, Feudal, Capitalist, and Socialist Societies. The nature of societies has always been determined by their mode of production. Today’s social structure is identified as a capitalist society. Öcalan cannot simply invent a name for society as he pleases.
Concepts like democracy and fascism relate to forms of government. A capitalist state can either be governed by bourgeois democracy or fascism. The ruling system of Turkey’s oligarchy is a form of colonial-type fascism. Expecting democracy for the people under fascism is deceiving the public.
Öcalan’s discourse on a “Democratic Society” is entirely aimed at legitimizing imperialism and fascism. In a country that has always been ruled by fascism, democracy is impossible.
A CALL TO DISBAND ARMED STRUGGLE IS ALSO A CALL FOR COOPERATION WITH THE U.S. AND THE TURKISH OLIGARCHY!
Öcalan concludes his call to the PKK as follows: “The language of the era of peace and democratic society must be developed in accordance with reality. In this atmosphere created by Mr. Devlet Bahçeli’s call, President Erdoğan’s stance, and the positive response from other political parties to this well-known call, I am making a historic appeal to lay down arms and take responsibility for this call.
Just as every contemporary community and party that has not been forcibly dismantled does voluntarily, gather your congress and decide to integrate with the state and society; all groups should disarm, and the PKK should dissolve itself.”
Öcalan’s message is quite clear. After more than 30 years of efforts to dismantle the Kurdish people’s armed struggle, the “right” conditions have finally emerged. The opportunity Öcalan spoke of in his İmralı defenses 25 years ago—where he said, “If given the chance, I am ready to serve the Turkish State on the basis of a democratic republic”—has now arrived. Based on the past 25 years of his captivity, we already know what kind of “services” he will provide to the Turkish state in the coming period.
ÖCALAN’S CALL FOR DISSOLUTION PLEASES IMPERIALISTS AND THEIR COLLABORATORS, ESPECIALLY THE U.S.!
The dismantling of the Kurdish nationalist movement’s armed struggle has always been an American project from the very beginning. From Öcalan’s capture and extradition to Turkey to the entire process that has unfolded since, none of these developments have been independent of U.S. regional policies. Even today, the timing and content of the call to lay down arms align with U.S. interests in the region.
Indeed, right after Öcalan’s statement that “the PKK should dissolve itself,” CHP leader Özgür Özel, in his February 28 statement, claimed that negotiations between the government and İmralı had been ongoing for over a year. He also stated that a four-member delegation, including one fully authorized representative, was involved in these talks and that a panel of over 20 legal experts—including a Constitutional Court member, members of the Court of Cassation, and senior judges—had been working on the process, with President Erdoğan being fully informed of all developments.
In other words, Öcalan’s call for the PKK’s dissolution did not start with fascist MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s public appeal to Öcalan on October 1, as portrayed in the media. It is the U.S. that dictates what Bahçeli, Erdoğan, and Öcalan say. Under the framework of the U.S.’s Greater Middle East Project, all of them have been assigned new roles.
ÖCALAN’S CALL FOR THE PKK’S DISSOLUTION MARKS THE BANKRUPTCY OF KURDISH NATIONALISM
SOCIALISM IS THE ONLY HOPE FOR THE LIBERATION OF ALL PEOPLES WORLDWIDE!
Nationalism is not a solution. Nationalism does not lead peoples to liberation; rather, it is the ideology of the bourgeoisie and petty bourgeoisie that divides and fragments them. Kurdish nationalism has always been petty-bourgeois nationalism.
It is Kurdish nationalist ideology that has reconciled the PKK with imperialism and the collaborative AKP fascism.
Nationalism is a dead end. It cannot lead the people to liberation. The Right of Nations to Self-Determination has only ever been realized through socialism.
The PKK has continuously tried to cover up the failure of its nationalist policies by attacking socialism and denying itself. What Öcalan refers to as “excessive repetition” in his statement is, in fact, the dead end of nationalism. Yet, even as the Kurdish nationalist movement reaches the point of self-dissolution, it refuses to acknowledge this and instead justifies its collaboration and liquidation by attacking socialism.
The denial of the fact that socialist revolutions are the only true path to liberation for oppressed nations has led the Kurdish nationalist movement to the point of rejecting even its own “national liberation struggle.”
This denial has extended from national independence to federation, from demands for autonomy to even cultural demands. On the other hand, imperialism and its collaborative oligarchy have been legitimized, turning the truth upside down. Reconciliation and collaboration with imperialism and fascist regimes have been normalized. A movement that claims to be fighting for Kurdish national liberation has, in Syria, been turned into the ground force of imperialism.
The current situation is the inevitable outcome of the dead end of nationalism.
THERE IS NO SALVATION FOR THE KURDISH PEOPLE IN THIS OUTCOME
The legitimate armed resistance of the Kurdish people is being sacrificed to imperialism and its collaborator, Turkish fascism. And this is being done through Öcalan. The Kurdish people must not allow this.
The liberation of the Kurdish people lies in socialism. The right to self-determination can only be exercised through socialist revolution. This is the one and only truth that history has proven. Oppressed nations have only been able to freely exercise their right to self-determination under socialist governments.
Under Stalin’s leadership, the Soviet Union was home to over 60 nations and national communities speaking 130 different languages. The Soviet Union was a federation of 15 union republics, each with equal status and the right to secede. In addition to these union republics, the political system also included 20 autonomous republics, 8 autonomous regions, and 13 national districts, ensuring autonomy for all national communities. All languages were granted freedom, education in native languages was guaranteed, and opportunities were provided for the flourishing of all languages, with books published in 124 languages.
Despite all the slander from socialist-hating imperialists, in the Soviet Union and other people’s governments, nations were able to live freely with their identities, native languages, cultures, and beliefs intact.
The claim that socialism has failed does not change this reality. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow, socialism remains the only path to the liberation of the people.
Footnote:
Modernity refers to the economic, social, cultural, and political transformations that the West experienced through its own historical processes and which it attempted to replicate in non-Western societies by imitation.
The First U.S. Statement on Öcalan’s Call for ‘PKK to Dissolve Itself’
White House National Security Council Spokesperson Brian Hughes commented on Öcalan’s statement, saying, “We hope it will help reassure our Turkish allies regarding the U.S.’s anti-ISIS partners in Northeast Syria” (referring to the YPG/SDF). Hughes also stated that they “believe the call will bring peace to the region.”
This remark by White House National Security Council Spokesperson Brian Hughes—“We hope it will help reassure our Turkish allies”—clearly shows who orchestrated Öcalan’s statement and for what purpose. The answer to the “for what purpose?” question lies in Hughes’ statement that they “believe the call will bring peace to the region.” The world’s peoples know very well what happens in the regions where the U.S. brings “peace.” This also reveals how Turkey’s fascist government and the Kurdish nationalist movement will be used in the region to establish an “American peace.”
Statements from Other Countries on Öcalan’s Call
- German Foreign Ministry: “We welcome Abdullah Öcalan’s call today for the PKK and its affiliated groups to lay down their arms and dissolve the PKK. This presents a historic opportunity to break the cycle of terror, violence, and retaliations that has lasted for decades and claimed tens of thousands of lives.”
- European Parliament Turkey Rapporteur Nacho Sanchez Amor: “Öcalan’s call is a historic step that we welcome.”
- Barzani (President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq): “As the Kurdistan Region, we fully support the peace process and are ready to play any role necessary for its success. We also appreciate the role of President Erdoğan and the AK Party government, who have worked with a clear vision for peace since the beginning of their administration.”
A Staged Play!
A Game to Prepare Our Peoples for the New Role the U.S. Has Assigned to Turkish Fascism and Kurdish Nationalists in the Middle East
This game is being presented to the people under deceptive slogans like:
- “A Terror-Free Turkey”
- “Silencing the Weapons, Bringing Peace”
- “A Strong Turkey”
- “A Democratic Society”
However, if we ignore the realities of the people, the plans that imperialists make at their tables can only exist on paper. But the reality of the people exists. No matter how powerful they may appear, and no matter how disorganized, weak, or deceived the people may be by collaborators, eventually, they will clash with the reality of the people. No imperialist project has ever been implemented exactly as it was drawn on paper, nor will it be.
Reactions from the Oligarchy to Öcalan’s Statement
- Tayyip Erdoğan: “As of yesterday, a new phase has begun in our efforts for a terror-free Turkey. We now have a historic opportunity to take a step toward demolishing the terror wall that has been built between our thousand-year-old brotherhood. The increasingly brazen imperialist ambitions make this new path even more meaningful. We will closely monitor whether the process is carried out fully and properly through our relevant institutions.” (February 28, 2025, from the press)
- Özgür Özel (Leader of CHP – Republican People’s Party): Özel claimed that a four-person delegation, including one fully authorized representative, had participated in the negotiations. He also stated that more than 20 legal experts, including a Constitutional Court member, Supreme Court judges, and high-ranking jurists, had worked on the process and that President Erdoğan was informed of all developments.
- Devlet Bahçeli (Leader of MHP – Nationalist Movement Party): “How fortunate we are to stand at the threshold of a blessed era where false divisions, artificial disputes, polarization, and misunderstandings will be completely eradicated from our national life.”
- Ali Babacan (Leader of DEVA Party): In a written statement, Babacan said: “I welcome the announcement made by the DEM Party İmralı delegation. The disarmament and dissolution of the PKK would be a historic development.”
- Ahmet Davutoğlu (Leader of Future Party): On social media, Davutoğlu wrote: “In a time when the international system is shaking, and our region is engulfed in a ring of fire, any call and step taken toward strengthening our internal unity and completely cleansing our country of terrorism is positive.”
- Müsavat Dervişoğlu (Leader of İYİ Party – Good Party): In a press statement, Dervişoğlu said: “Regardless of its name or justification, this process is nothing more than a lifelong presidential bargaining chip by playing with the definition of the nation.”
The reactions from the oligarchy to Öcalan’s call for the PKK to lay down arms largely approve of the process, albeit with concerns that Erdoğan will use it to solidify his power and ensure his presidency for life.
Reactions from the Reformist Left to Öcalan’s Statement
The reformist left has always wanted the Kurdish nationalist movement to abandon armed struggle because armed struggle hinders reformist politics within the system. The points where reformism and the Kurdish nationalist movement intersect have always been the moments when Kurdish nationalists entered a reconciliation process with the oligarchy. For this reason, the reformist left has always desired for the PKK to disarm and integrate into the system. Their reaction to Öcalan’s call reflects exactly this sentiment.
- PKK Executive Committee: They described Öcalan’s call as the “manifesto of the era” and stated that the announcement “is not an end but, on the contrary, a completely new beginning.” They emphasized that the organization fully agrees with the content of the call and will act accordingly. However, they also noted: “For success, it is crucial that the democratic political and legal framework is suitable.”
- Left Party: “For many years, our party has opposed policies that drag our country into war and violence. We have supported a democratic and peaceful resolution of the Kurdish issue based on coexistence. In this sense, we view the latest developments positively.”
- Communist Party of Turkey (TKP): “It is impossible to oppose the cessation of conflicts that have caused our citizens to drift apart based on their ethnic origins, led to bloody confrontations, divided the working people, and distanced them from real solutions.”
- Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP): “We will continue to resist any attempt to turn this process into a means to consolidate the reactionary, fascist, and pro-capitalist rule of the AKP-MHP alliance, and to manipulate it into a new constitutional blackmail that would guarantee Erdoğan’s lifelong presidency.”
- Labour Party (EMEP): They are following a “wait-and-see” approach, stating: “We need time to see the results of this statement. Instead of loading meanings onto a statement about a century-old issue that exceed its capacity, the best approach is to follow and understand the process calmly.” (Fatih Polat, Evrensel, February 28, 2025)
(This article is from the Halk Okulu (People’s School) magazine.
Dated 9 March 2025, Issue no: 278, pages 9-13)
[1] The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is a fascist and reactionary party known for carrying out numerous of massacres and assassinations against leftists, democrats and revolutionaries. Currently this party is in coalition with the ruling AKP.
[2] Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) is a pro-Kurdish political party in Turkey. It emerged as the successor to the Green Left Party, with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) transferring its activities to the DEM Party in 2023, marking the latest evolution of Kurdish minority interest representation in Turkish politics. Their closeness to the PKK is alleged in various platforms.
