Turkey approves conditional pardon for thousands of Kurdish militants
Turkey’s parliament has approved legislation offering a conditional pardon to thousands of Kurdish militants as part of the government’s efforts to end the decades-long conflict with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK.
The measure was approved by an overwhelming majority and will take effect only after Turkish authorities verify that the PKK has fully disarmed.
The PKK announced last year that it would end its decades-long armed campaign against the Turkish state and dissolve itself, following a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan.
The legislation marks a significant step towards ending a conflict that has killed tens of thousands of people and could have wider regional implications.
It could help strengthen ties between Turkey and Iraq and support efforts by the Syrian government to integrate areas previously controlled by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which Ankara considers affiliated with the PKK.
