Post by : Meena Ariff

Turkey is under renewed pressure to restart long-stalled peace talks with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) after a major political development in neighbouring Syria. Turkey’s pro-Kurdish DEM Party says the government no longer has any valid reason to delay a peace process.

The pressure increased after an important agreement announced on Sunday in Syria. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) agreed to come under the authority of Syria’s central government in Damascus. Many see this move as a major shift in the region that could also affect Turkey’s long-running conflict with the PKK.

For many years, Turkey has argued that Kurdish armed groups in Syria are closely connected to the PKK, which Ankara considers a terrorist organisation. Because of this, the Turkish government has often said that starting peace talks at home was difficult while Kurdish forces across the border remained strong and independent.

According to the DEM Party, this excuse no longer holds. The party says the Syrian agreement has removed one of the main obstacles that Turkey repeatedly cited to avoid dialogue.

On Monday, DEM Party leaders said the government should act without further delay and begin a serious peace process with the PKK. They believe the current moment is extremely important, as political conditions in the region are changing quickly. They argue that Turkey now has a rare opportunity to reduce violence, improve stability, and address Kurdish political demands through talks rather than military action.

The party also stressed that peace would benefit the entire country, not just Kurdish communities. They said ending the conflict could bring greater security, stronger economic growth, and better social unity across Turkey.

In Syria, the SDF has been a powerful force for many years, especially during the fight against extremist groups. It controls large areas in the north and east of the country and has received support from Western nations. This situation has long worried Turkey, which fears that a strong Kurdish armed group near its border could encourage Kurdish movements inside Turkey.

The new agreement changes that situation. By agreeing to fall under Damascus’ control, the SDF is giving up some of its independence. For Turkey, this move meets a long-standing demand that Kurdish armed groups in Syria should not operate outside the authority of the central state.

Because of this development, Kurdish politicians in Turkey say Ankara should now show goodwill by dealing with its own Kurdish issue through political dialogue.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has lasted for decades and has claimed tens of thousands of lives. About ten years ago, peace talks briefly raised hopes for a lasting solution, and violence dropped for a short time. However, those talks later collapsed, fighting resumed, and trust between the two sides broke down.

Since then, the Turkish government has mainly relied on military and security measures, both inside the country and beyond its borders. Many Kurds feel political solutions have been ignored, while the government insists that strong action is necessary to protect national security.

The DEM Party says the Syrian agreement has changed the balance in the region. With Kurdish forces in Syria now linked to the central government, Turkey’s key security concerns have been reduced. The party warns that continuing to avoid talks could deepen divisions and miss a historic chance for peace.

Some analysts also believe a peace process could improve Turkey’s relations with neighbouring countries and lower the risk of future conflicts.

So far, the Turkish government has not clearly stated whether it plans to restart peace talks. Officials continue to say that security is the top priority and that armed groups must fully abandon violence.

Even so, pressure is growing from Kurdish politicians, civil society groups, and observers who argue that lasting peace cannot be achieved through force alone. Many believe the developments in Syria have opened a new chapter, and Turkey’s next move could shape the country’s future for many years.

For now, the DEM Party’s message remains firm: the opportunity for peace is there, and they believe the government should take it.

#Global News