Kurdish militants say they’ll disarm in favor of politics. Will Turkey respond?

Kurdish militants say they’ll disarm in favor of politics. Will Turkey respond?

Kurdish and Turkish statements indicate both sides recognize the limits of violence. Yet the PKK says an expected quid pro quo from Turkey is recognition of Kurdish political and cultural rights, which is not assured.

Turkey and PKK face a tricky path determining how militants will disband

ISTANBUL - Turkey is embarking on a hazardous path to ensure the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group implements its decision to disband after 40 years of conflict, facing obstacles that need to be overcome in neighbouring Iraq and Syria. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The disbanding of the Kurdish militant movement PKK depends on what Turkey does now, says Joost Jongerden, sociologist and university lecturer at Wageningen University. According to him, the PKK has made a reservation in its statement. "In principle, the decision has been made, but the PKK does have a reservation. I am very curious about what will happen next, since Turkey has previously failed to take steps itself."