Iraq Supports Ocalan’s Call for PKK Disbandment to Enhance Regional Stability

Iraq has backed Abdullah Ocalan’s call for the PKK to dissolve, viewing it as critical for enhancing regional stability. The PKK’s presence has complicated Iraq-Turkey relations, and Baghdad recently labeled the organization as banned. Ocalan’s message advocates for all groups to lay down arms, reinforcing Iraq’s pursuit of stronger ties with Turkey.

Iraq has expressed its support for Abdullah Ocalan’s recent appeal for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to disband, recognizing it as a meaningful advancement towards regional stability. The PKK, which has engaged in a prolonged insurgency against Turkey, operates within Iraq’s borders, complicating relations between Baghdad and Ankara. The Iraqi Foreign Ministry remarked that Ocalan’s call for an end to violence represents a crucial step in fostering security across the region.

In his statement, the ministry emphasized that a dedication to political solutions and dialogue is essential in resolving disputes and conflict. Ocalan, who has been detained in a Turkish prison since 1999, articulated a transformative message urging all factions to disarm, specifically calling for the dissolution of the PKK.

Baghdad has recently taken a firmer stance against the PKK, having designated it as a “banned organization” last year, although Turkey has urged Iraq to officially classify it as a terrorist group. Last August, Iraq and Turkey reinforced their military collaboration with a joint command and training agreement aimed at combatting PKK activities, signaling a deeper commitment to addressing this issue together.

In its recent statement, Iraq’s foreign ministry reiterated its hope for the PKK to take swift actions to disarm, reaffirming Baghdad’s aim to cultivate robust relations with Turkey. This support for Ocalan’s disbandment proposal aligns with Iraq’s strategic interests and enhances prospects for peace in the region.

Iraq’s endorsement of Abdullah Ocalan’s call for the PKK’s disbandment marks a pivotal moment in regional diplomacy, with implications for the security dynamics between Iraq and Turkey. This initiative underlines Iraq’s commitment to dialogue and political solutions, as well as its intention to strengthen bilateral relations with Turkey.

Original Source: www.thenews.com.pk