Turkey's Operations in Iraq and Syria Continue Despite Ocalan's Peace Call

On Thursday, March 7, the Turkish Ministry of Defense announced that its forces have killed 26 Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria since Abdullah Ocalan, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), called for the disarmament and dissolution of the party. Last week, Ocalan issued a message referred to as a peace message, urging the PKK to lay down its arms and dissolve. Following this, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire. In this context, the United States welcomed Ocalan's statement asking the group to end armed struggle, considering it a 'significant development' with potential benefits in efforts to combat ISIS. According to Reuters, the Turkish Ministry of Defense stated that its forces will continue their operations in the region for the 'survival and security' of Turkey. The statement also emphasized that Turkey will 'continue its fight against terrorism with determination and resolve until no terrorist remains.' The Turkish Ministry of Defense indicated that PKK militants in Iraq and Syria have been 'neutralized,' without specifying the locations of the military operations. Reuters noted that the use of the term 'neutralized' by the Turkish Ministry of Defense typically means killed. The U.S. collaborates with the Syrian Democratic Forces led by Kurds in the fight against ISIS, but Turkey accuses the Syrian Kurdish forces of cooperating with the PKK. The PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, announced that it is ready to hold a congress based on Ocalan's request, but necessary security conditions must be established for it. There have been widespread reactions to Ocalan's call for the dissolution of the PKK, with the PKK responding positively to the request of their imprisoned leader. Guterres welcomed Ocalan's message, stating it could help end the conflict in Turkey.