Baghdad: Turkish Defense Minister Yasar Gler has called for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliates to dissolve themselves and surrender their weapons unconditionally and without delay. Gler made this statement during a speech in Ankara commemorating Turkish Martyrs' Day and the 110th anniversary of the naval victory in the Battle of €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬¡anakkale.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, the minister referenced a call from Abdullah €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦‚¬Å“calan, the imprisoned leader of the PKK, who last February urged the organization to dissolve. Gler stressed that Turkey will ensure this process is not sabotaged or prolonged, and that a cautious, rational approach will be adopted.
The minister also addressed statements from PKK leaders suggesting a "ceasefire" following €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦‚¬Å“calan's call. Gler clarified that €š¬…¡¬‚¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬¦¡¬‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦¡¬€š¬…¡¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦¡¬€š¬¦‚¬Å¡¬€¦‚¬Å“calan's message did not mention a ceasefire, emphasizing that such discussions are irrelevant. "Our ultimate goal is the complete elimination of terrorist organizations," he stated.
Additionally, the Turkish presidency recently announced an agreement to integrate the PKK into the institutions of the Syrian Arab Republic, highlighting the unity of Syrian territory and rejecting any partition.