The outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has declared a ceasefire with Turkey following a call for peace from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan. In a statement on Saturday, the PKK expressed hope that Turkey would release Ocalan, who has been held in solitary confinement since 1999, so he can lead a process of disarmament and peace.

Ocalan, who has been a symbol of Kurdish nationalism, urged the PKK to lay down its arms and dissolve itself in a letter that was read out to supporters. His appeal comes after four decades of armed conflict in southeastern Turkey, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives. His call for peace and the cessation of hostilities follows months of diplomatic moves, including an initiative from Devlet Bahceli, leader of Turkey’s ultra-nationalist MHP party, to end the conflict.

During a recent meeting with members of the pro-Kurdish Dem Party on Imrali Island, Ocalan emphasized the need for peace and the creation of a democratic society. The PKK’s executive committee declared a ceasefire effective immediately, stating that its forces would not take armed action unless provoked.

Ocalan’s call for peace was welcomed by many Kurdish leaders, and thousands gathered in Kurdish-majority cities like Diyarbakir and Van to watch the announcement on big screens. However, questions remain about the future of the ceasefire and whether Turkey’s government will genuinely pursue a resolution to the long-running conflict.

The PKK, a group banned as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, and the US, has waged an insurgency since 1984, fighting for greater Kurdish autonomy. The road ahead remains uncertain, as tensions continue to simmer, with PKK commanders expressing doubts about Turkey’s intentions and ongoing violence in the region.