by Burak Akinci
ANKARA, July 11 (Xinhua) -- The disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) could usher in a wave of political developments with significant regional repercussions, Turkish analysts have said.
In a June-recorded address released on Wednesday from Imrali Island prison, off Istanbul, Abdullah Ocalan, the jailed leader of the PKK, declared that its over 40 years of armed struggle against Türkiye for self-rule was over, and details regarding disarmament will be swiftly implemented.
The announcement, followed by a symbolic disarmament ceremony on Friday in Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq, is expected to recalibrate the dynamics not only within Türkiye, but across its volatile borders with Iraq and Syria.
Designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, the PKK has long operated from mountainous regions in northern Iraq and maintained ties with Kurdish forces in northern Syria.
"This isn't just a Turkish issue," journalist and PKK expert Mahmut Bozarslan told Xinhua. "It affects northern Iraq, Syria, and even Türkiye's relations with the United States and Russia. If the PKK fully disarms, it could significantly reduce friction across the entire region," he pointed out.
Ankara-based political analyst Serkan Demirtas believes that the disarmament effort provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation between Ankara and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).
"A successful transition away from PKK militancy could open the door to deeper security and economic coordination between Iraq's Kurdish region and Türkiye," the expert stressed.
One of the most sensitive aspects of the disarmament's regional impact lies in northern Syria, where PKK-linked groups, particularly the People's Protection Units (YPG) and Syrian Democratic Forces, control large swathes of territory. Ankara views the YPG as the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, and continues to regard it as a military threat.
"Whether or not the YPG responds to Ocalan's call will be key. If they align with this approach, it may ease Ankara's concerns and create space for diplomatic solutions," Bozarslan argued.
Echoing the remarks, Demirtas noted that for the peace process to fully extend to Syria, mutual recognition of security concerns is necessary. "Ankara seeks long-term assurance that the YPG will not pose a threat along its southern border," he said.
Demirtas added that resolving the PKK issue would remove a major stumbling block in Türkiye's relations with both its NATO allies and Iraq, and could allow all parties to shift focus toward post-conflict reconstruction and long-term regional stability.
Easing tensions could further promote trade and infrastructure development, particularly in southeast Türkiye and northern Syria, offering new avenues for peace, recovery, and growth, he added. ■
