The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has decided to cease peace negotiations with Turkey, demanding the release of its historic leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999. Amed Malazgirt, a military commander of the PKK, stated that although discussions have taken place, no concrete progress has been made and that it is now Turkey's turn to respond. The PKK has two main demands: the release of Öcalan and the constitutional recognition of the Kurdish people in Turkey.
The commander emphasized that the PKK will not use weapons against the Turkish state, but has called for more favorable conditions for its leader. A recent visit by a parliamentary delegation to Öcalan was also mentioned, in the context of a peace process initiated by the Turkish government. The PKK has been involved in a 40-year conflict with the Turkish state, resulting in approximately 50,000 deaths.