Families Await Peace as PKK Signals End of 40-Year Conflict

The recent announcement by the PKK to disband brings a glimmer of hope for families like Leila, whose son joined the group years ago. Despite the tragic history of the PKK and ongoing tension with Turkey, families express mixed emotions about potential peace while grappling with their losses and the uncertain fate of their loved ones.

When Leila first heard the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was disbanding, she felt a surge of hope that a reunion with her son, who joined the group three years ago, might finally be within reach. The PKK, which has fought against Turkey for 40 years and is labeled a terrorist organization by several countries, announced it would cease its decades-long insurgency last month. Yet, since this declaration, no significant changes have transpired, leaving families like hers in limbo.

Leila has heard little from her son, apart from two videos he sent from the PKK’s stronghold in the Qandil Mountains, and she hasn't laid eyes on him since he left home. Reflecting on her son's radicalization, she feels a sense of betrayal by the PKK, claiming they lured him with the promise of defending the rights of the Kurdish people. "They brainwashed my son," she asserts, lamenting how he changed and prepared for a life she never expected him to choose.

The longstanding conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives, predominantly affecting civilians, and remains one of the world’s longest-running struggles. While many families express outrage towards the PKK, others display pride in the sacrifices made by their loved ones, seeing it as a precursor to potential peace talks. Yet, the future remains uncertain, with violence continuing and no formal peace agreements established between Turkey and the PKK.

The BBC reports that although the PKK claims to be sincere about negotiations, it has reaffirmed that disarmament is "not up for discussion". This complexity is echoed by local commanders wary of Turkey’s intentions. Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan perceives the PKK's dissolution as an opportunity to reshape Turkey’s political landscape and bring about a nation free from terror.

For families like Rondek Takoor, who lost her brother Kawa while he was fighting, the end of the conflict is bittersweet. “I always dream about him,” she shares, indicating that while the prospect of peace is welcomed, it comes as a painful reminder of her family's loss. As discussions progress, questions loom regarding the PKK fighters' return to society and how other Kurdish factions will react, especially those operating in neighboring regions.

Ultimately, even amidst geopolitical turmoil, mothers like Leila remain focused on their singular hope of reunion. "This city has brought me nothing but pain," she reflects, envisioning a time when her son may finally return, tired of the struggles in the mountains — perhaps heralding a newfound peace in their broken lives.