He helped found the PKK in 1978, and led it into the Kurdish–Turkish conflict in 1984. For most of his leadership, he was based in Syria, which provided sanctuary to the PKK until the late 1990s.

Mar 10, 2025 · The PKK leader essentially responded to an appeal from Turkish far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli. In October, Bahçeli suggested Öcalan could be granted parole if he disarms and disbands the PKK. Öcalan delivered. The like-minded nature of their indirect public exchange is exceptional.

Feb 27, 2025 · Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan has asked his followers in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to lay down arms and dissolve the group, potentially ending a decades-long conflict...

Mar 4, 2025 · The PKK leader’s calls for the group to disarm and dissolve is a step towards ending a 40-year conflict with the Turkish state. PKK leader’s call to disarm fuels hope for end to Kurdish ...

Mar 2, 2025 · Outlawed Kurdish group the PKK has declared a ceasefire with Turkey after its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan called on the movement to lay down its arms and dissolve.

ISTANBUL (AP) — Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his militant group Thursday to lay down its arms and dissolve as part of a new bid to end a four-decade long conflict with Turkey’s government that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Feb 27, 2025 · ISTANBUL - The jailed founder of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), Abdullah Ocalan, appealed on Thursday to his militant group to disarm and to dissolve itself.

Feb 28, 2025 · Istanbul — In a historic move, imprisoned Kurdish separatist leader Abdullah Ocalan called Thursday on members of the banned Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) to lay down their weapons to end a...

Mar 1, 2025 · Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, in a landmark call, asked the group to disband. Read more at straitstimes.com. World. ... The PKK, designated a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States and ...

Feb 28, 2025 · Mr. Ocalan is the founder and leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or P.K.K., which has been battling the Turkish state. He has been in a Turkish prison for a quarter century.