Ankara- In a speech described as “historical”, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced today, Saturday, the start of a new stage in Turkey’s march towards ending the era of terrorism that spanned more than 4 decades, after the start of the handover of the Kurdistan Workers Party of its weapons in northern Iraq.
During his speech at the 32nd consultative and evaluation meeting of the Justice and Development Party in Ankara, Erdogan stressed that Turkey is entering a new era based on security, stability and national unity between the Turks, the Kurds and the Arabs, revealing the formation of a special parliamentary committee to follow up the process of disarmament and ensure its success.
Erdogan considered that the burning of the PKK fighters for their weapons in a symbolic ceremony, on Friday, represents a “very important step” towards the closure of the armed conflict file, stressing that these developments are not merely an achievement of his government, but rather “a victory for every Turkish citizen, Kurdish and Arab, and for all the sons of the 86 million Turkish nation.”
An invitation to unity
In his speech, Erdogan stressed the importance of the “historical moment” that Turkey is going through, considering that the disarmament process started by the PKK is not just a transient political decision, but rather the fruit of “contracts of sacrifices and a long struggle against terrorism.”
“Today we fold a bloody page that spanned 47 years, and I invite every Turkish, every Kurd, and every Arab to celebrate this historical achievement. If we are one hand, Turkey will be stronger and more prosperous.”
He stressed that national unity is the impenetrable dam in front of any internal or external threat, adding, “When the Turkish, Kurdish and Arab joins, victory is achieved for all, but when they are divided, the result does not come except with defeat and sadness.”
In a summons of the common history between the components of the nation, Erdogan pointed out that fateful battles such as a refuge (1071), Fatah of Jerusalem, Fatah Istanbul, the steadfastness of a fortress of castle in the First World War, and the National War later, were all examples of the unity that brought together the Turks, the Kurds and the Arabs on the battlefield.
He warned that the divisions between these peoples have always been an introduction to the major defeats, while unity was a source of victory and prosperity.
Erdogan called on all citizens – Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and from various directions and affiliations – to the explicit dialogue away from weapons and violence, stressing that each of them is a “first -class citizen” in the Turkish state.
In a direct message to specific social components, he said, “O Kurdish brother, if you have an issue, then let’s talk without weapons or violence. And you, my upper brother, if you have a problem, let us find a solution to dialogue.”
Messages
In the context, political analyst Taha Odehoglu believes that President Erdogan’s statement, especially his focus on the necessity of uniting the internal components, comes at a stage in which the path of disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers Party is going with positive steps, contrary to previous attempts.
The Odehlu, in an interview with Al -Jazeera Net, indicates that Erdogan seeks to stack the ranks internally, especially among the supporters of the Justice and Development Party, to avoid any gaps that may affect a path that the president considers “crucial and decisive” for the future of Türkiye.
He adds that the success of this step – which is to leave weapons and dissolve the party during the reign of Erdogan – will be a major political gain for the ruling party and Erdogan personally.
In his opinion, these statements also carry messages addressed to the Kurdish party, in light of the extension of the branches of the PKK inside and outside Türkiye in Syria, Iraq and even Iran and some European countries.
Ihsanoglu notes that Erdogan seeks to close this page permanently, at a time when the state began to look at the future with different eyes, taking advantage of the expected gains of both parties if this path is successfully completed.
The committee and its tasks
In a move described as a legislative framework to ensure the sustainability of the disarmament process, Erdogan announced the formation of a special committee within Parliament, to follow up on all stages of the handover of the PKK.
He explained that the committee, which will include deputies from the Justice and Development Party and its ally, the National Movement Party, in addition to the Democratic Peoples Party, will monitor the implementation of procedures and ensure their compatibility with national laws and humanitarian standards, and will also discuss the enactment of the necessary legislation to support the new stage that Türkiye is entering. He stressed that the state will follow the most accurate details of the process to ensure its implementation in accordance with the law and justice.
Erdogan devoted an important part of his speech, speaking about the “Türkiye without terrorism” project, describing it as “the greatest achievement in the history of the modern republic.”
He stressed that this project will allow the state resources to be directed towards development and prosperity instead of draining it in combating terrorism, noting that Türkiye has become completely dependent on its local defense industry in the face of security challenges.
In the context, political analyst Ali Asmar believes that the formation of a parliamentary committee to follow up the path of disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers Party is a fundamental step to enhance transparency in front of political parties and Turkish public opinion.
In his speech to Al -Jazeera Net, this step opens the way for a new Türkiye without terrorism, a path that carries deep political, economic, security and cultural repercussions, which puts the committee with heavy responsibilities.
It indicates that success in this way requires accurate and methodological coordination, not only internally, but also externally, in light of the continued security cooperation with the governments of Erbil and Baghdad.
Asmar notes that the tasks of the committee will focus on major axes, most notably coordination with the rest of the parties, especially the Democratic Peoples Party, and the follow -up of the judicial files related to this sensitive stage.
In his opinion, there is an initial approach to sorting party fighters into two categories:
- The first: Those who committed violence, and these will be referred to the judiciary.
- The second: Those who are not involved in blood, and may undergo rehabilitation and reintegration programs into society.
Asmar concluded that the parliamentary committee will serve as a safety valve for the continuation of the disarmament process, as well as the reassurance of the Turkish street and the treatment of any gaps that may appear during implementation.
