Turkey–PKK peace process
Assessment
Turkey's peace process with the PKK, running since the group's March 2025 ceasefire, entered an implementation phase in September 2026 under the Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration Law passed on Aug 10, which lets some members return after surrendering weapons but excludes Abdullah Ocalan and about 230 senior cadres. On Sept 17 presidential adviser Mehmet Ucum said Ocalan would sit on the Disarmament and Strategic Coordination subcommittee without being released, while PKK leader Cemil Bayik said in a September interview reported on Sept 18 that the group will not lay down arms or return to Turkey unless Ocalan is freed, after warning on Sept 6 that the process could halt without democratic steps. Camps in the Qandil mountains are expected to be evacuated by Oct 1, and no violence was reported in the window.
Recent, assessed
- 2026-09-18Turkish Minute reports PKK co-chair Cemil Bayik saying the group will not disarm or return to Turkey unless Ocalan is freed. turkishminute.com
- 2026-09-17Erdogan adviser Mehmet Ucum says Ocalan will join the disarmament and strategic coordination subcommittee, stressing it does not mean his release. turkishminute.com
- 2026-09-06Bayik warns the process could halt if democratic steps are absent; Asharq Al-Awsat reports Qandil camps are expected to be evacuated by Oct 1. english.aawsat.com
Level history
Levels set by research reviews. A level set by hand is shown at the top of the page while it is in force and is not part of this history.
| Date | Level | Status | Trend | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-21 | 2 | Tense/Stable | ■ stable | Weekly review |
Latest headlines 5
Matched to this entry by keyword from the pull of 22 Sep, 11:07 UTC. Not reviewed; some may be off-topic.
- Hakan Fidan: Türkiye’s Peace Process Will Also Benefit the Kurds
- Council of Europe urges Turkey to free jailed Kurdish politicians
- Köker: Strong opposition alliance needed for a democratic republic
- Özgür Özel: The promising part of the process is the democratization of Turkey
- Turkey’s New Framework Law Targets Peaceful Resolution of the Kurdish Issue