2013–2015 PKK–Turkey peace process

{{Short description|Failed peace process between Kurdish militants and Turkey}} {{About|the peace process between Turkey and the PKK|the general concept|Peace process (disambiguation){{!}}Peace process}} {{Turkey–PKK peace process}} The '''Solution process''' ({{langx|tr|Çözüm süreci}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=108312|title=Turkey's solution process paves the way for PYD in Syria- report - World Bulletin|access-date=2013-05-11|archive-date=2013-07-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717232746/http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=108312|url-status=usurped}}</ref> also known as the '''Peace process''' ({{langx|tr|Barış süreci}}; {{langx|ku|Proseya Aştiyê}}) or the '''PKK–Turkish peace process''', was a peace process that aimed to resolve the conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party as part of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–2025). The conflict, which began in 1984, which has now ended as of 2025 and has resulted in over 40,000 mortal casualties and great economic losses for Turkey and its Kurdish majority southeastern areas as well as high damage to the general population.<ref>{{cite web | last1=Butler | first1=Daren | last2=Toksabay | first2=Ece | last3=Ozdal | first3=Umit | title=Efforts to end Kurdish militant conflict in Turkey face Syria test | work=Reuters | date=10 January 2025 | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/efforts-end-kurdish-militant-conflict-turkey-face-syria-test-2025-01-10/ }}</ref>

Though there was a unilateral cease-fire between 1999 and 2004, the sides failed to gain understanding, and the conflict became increasingly violent. The 2013 truce was working until the truce fully collapsed in 2015,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Peace Process between Turkey and the Kurds: Anatomy of a Failure |url=https://www.routledge.com/The-Peace-Process-between-Turkey-and-the-Kurds-Anatomy-of-a-Failure/Ozpek/p/book/9780367607302 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Routledge & CRC Press |language=en}}</ref> following the Ceylanpınar incidents, in which the PKK killed two Turkish policemen, accusing Turkey to have collaborated with the Islamic State (IS)<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=22 July 2015 |title=PKK bekennt sich zu Anschlag auf zwei Polizisten {{!}} DW {{!}} 22.07.2015 |url=https://www.dw.com/de/pkk-bekennt-sich-zu-anschlag-auf-zwei-polizisten/a-18599274 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Deutsche Welle |language=de-DE}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=PKK claims killing of Turkish policemen in revenge for Syria border attack - Türkiye News |url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-claims-killing-of-turkish-policemen-in-revenge-for-syria-border-attack-85756 |access-date=2022-09-26 |website=Hürriyet Daily News |date=22 July 2015 |language=en}}</ref> in the Suruç bombing.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

==Background== {{Main|Persecution of Kurds}} The Turkey-PKK conflict is an armed conflict between the Republic of Turkey and people related to PKK, which have demanded freedom from Turkey to create an independent Kurdistan,<ref name="Freedom Falcons">{{cite web |last=Brandon |first=James |url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=936 |title=The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons Emerges as a Rival to the PKK |publisher=Jamestown.org |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2016-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520185411/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=936 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="security">{{Cite web |title=Kongra-Gel / Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/pkk.htm |access-date=2022-10-15 |website=www.globalsecurity.org |archive-date=2021-03-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313035800/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/pkk.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> or to have autonomy<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/1/turkey3107.htm |title=Kurdish PKK leader: We will not withdraw our autonomy demand |publisher=Ekurd.net |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2012-07-31 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731055933/http://www.ekurd.net/mismas/articles/misc2011/1/turkey3107.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> and greater political and cultural rights for Kurds inside the Republic of Turkey.<ref>{{cite news |author=David O'Byrne |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10707935 |title=PKK 'would disarm for Kurdish rights in Turkey' |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=2010-07-21 |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2021-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126084629/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10707935 |url-status=live }}</ref> The PKK is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States,<ref>United States Department of State [https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm Foreign Terrorist Organizations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630045511/https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/ct/rls/other/des/123085.htm |date=2020-06-30 }}</ref> and the European Union.<ref name="EU">[http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:028:0057:01:EN:HTML European Union List of Terrorist Organisations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122110609/http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:028:0057:01:EN:HTML |date=2011-11-22 }}, Council of the european union, updated Council Decision 2011/70/CFSP of 31 January 2011</ref> Although insurgents have carried out attacks in many regions of Turkey,<ref>{{cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Gareth |url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=4463 |title=PKK Expanding Urban Bombing Campaign in Western Turkey |work=The Jamestown Foundation |publisher=Jamestown.org |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2021-01-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110195644/https://jamestown.org/program/pkk-expanding-urban-bombing-campaign-in-western-turkey/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the insurgency is mainly in southeastern Turkey.<ref name="IDMC">{{cite web |author=Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) – Norwegian Refugee Council |url=http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/F583DF6E49225B7F802570B8005AA873?OpenDocument |title=The Kurdish conflict (1984–2006) |publisher=Internal-displacement.org |access-date=2011-04-15 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501172543/http://www.internal-displacement.org/idmc/website/countries.nsf/(httpEnvelopes)/F583DF6E49225B7F802570B8005AA873?OpenDocument |archive-date=2011-05-01 }}</ref> The PKK's military presence in Iraq's Kurdistan Region, which it uses as launchpad for attacks on Turkey, has resulted in the Turkish military carrying out frequent ground incursions and air and artillery strikes in the region,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7260478.stm |title=Iraq warns Turkey over incursion |work=BBC News |date=2008-02-23 |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2021-01-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111135453/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7260478.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> as the Kurdistan Regional Government claimed they do not have sufficient military forces to prevent the PKK from operating.<ref name="Talabani action">{{cite web |url=http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=13335 |title=US tells Turkey: We'll crush Kurdish rebels |publisher=Socialistworker.co.uk |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2015-11-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151116172235/https://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=13335 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The conflict has particularly affected Turkey's tourism industry<ref>[https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/studies4.htm PKK: Targets and activities] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200906160918/https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/studies4.htm |date=2020-09-06 }}, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey), Federation of American Scientists.</ref> and has cost the economy of Turkey an estimated 300 to 450 billion dollars, mainly military expenses.<ref name="crisis">[http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/turkey-cyprus/turkey/219-turkey-the-pkk-and-a-kurdish-settlement Turkey: The PKK and a Kurdish settlement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915092937/http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/europe/turkey-cyprus/turkey/219-turkey-the-pkk-and-a-kurdish-settlement |date=2012-09-15 }}, September 11, 2012</ref>

Since the PKK was founded on November 27, 1978,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xs4all.nl/~kicadam/kurdistan/2_99/ocalan.html |title=Abdullah Öcalan en de ontwikkeling van de PKK |publisher=Xs4all.nl |access-date=2010-08-29 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101215175054/http://www.xs4all.nl/~kicadam/kurdistan/2_99/ocalan.html |archive-date=2010-12-15 }}</ref> it has been involved in armed clashes with Turkish security forces. The full-scale insurgency however, did not begin until August 15, 1984 when the PKK announced a Kurdish uprising. The first insurgency lasted until September 1, 1999 <ref name="security"/><ref name="ceasefires">{{cite web |url=http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/9/193730/?AKmobile=true |title=PKK has repeatedly asked for a ceasefire of peace since their establishment in the past 17 years |publisher=Aknews.com |date=2010-11-06 |access-date=2011-04-15 |url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111125090153/http://www.aknews.com/en/aknews/9/193730/?AKmobile=true |archive-date=2011-11-25 }}</ref> when the PKK declared a unilateral cease-fire. The armed conflict was later resumed on June 1, 2004, when the PKK declared an end to its cease-fire.<ref name="jamestown">{{cite web |last=Jenkins |first=Gareth |url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=4494 |title=PKK Changes Battlefield Tactics to Force Turkey into Negotiations |work=The Jamestown Foundation |publisher=Jamestown.org |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2015-10-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001050504/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=4494&no_cache=1 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="ataa">{{cite web |url=http://www.ataa.org/reference/pkk/pkk.html |title=PKK/KONGRA-GEL and Terrorism |publisher=Ataa.org |access-date=2011-04-15 |archive-date=2015-02-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202183240/http://ataa.org/reference/pkk/pkk.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Since summer 2011, the conflict has become increasingly violent with resumption of large-scale hostilities.<ref name="crisis"/>

== Developments == In November 2012 about 10,000 prisoners were in a hunger strike and had the following three demands. They wanted to defend themselves in Kurdish language while being in court, the improvement of the detention conditions of Abdullah Öcalan, and the start of a peace process between Turkey and the PKK.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last1=Pichler|first1=Melanie|last2=Ajanović|first2=Edma|date=5 October 2016|title=Women for democracy in Turkey?|url=https://www.redpepper.org.uk/women-for-democracy-in-turkey/|access-date=2020-10-18|website=Red Pepper|language=en-US|archive-date=2016-10-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006133914/https://www.redpepper.org.uk/women-for-democracy-in-turkey/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Academics for Peace actively supported those demands.<ref name=":0" /> On the 16 December the Chief of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan held a talk with Abdullah Öcalan.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal |last=Köse |first=Talha |date=2017 |title=Rise and Fall of the AK Party's Kurdish Peace Initiatives |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26300508 |journal=Insight Turkey |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=89–115 |doi=10.25253/99.2017192.08 |jstor=26300508 |hdl=20.500.12154/30 |s2cid=157115247 |issn=1302-177X |hdl-access=free }}</ref> On the 28 December 2012, Erdoğan made the meeting public<ref name=":2" /> and stated that the government was in negotiations with jailed rebel leader Öcalan.<ref name="Yes, we do.">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25409952/|title=Yes, we negotiate with Öcalan.|publisher=Ntvmsnbc|date=December 2012|access-date=21 March 2013|language=tr|archive-date=31 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121231152538/http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25409952/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The negotiations were initially named the ''Solution Process'' (Çözüm Süreci) in public. While negotiations were going on, there were numerous events that were regarded as sabotage to derail the talks: The assassination of the PKK administrators Sakine Cansız, Fidan Doğan and Leyla Söylemez in Paris,<ref>{{Cite news|date=2013-01-10|title=Kurdish activists killed in Paris|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-20968375|access-date=2020-06-20}}</ref> revealing Öcalan's talks with the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) publicly via the Milliyet newspaper<ref name="Breaking the crystal">{{Cite web|url=http://siyaset.milliyet.com.tr/iste-imrali-daki-gorusmenin-tutanaklari-basarisizlikta-ben-yokum-/siyaset/siyasetdetay/28.02.2013/1674358/default.htm|title=Here's what was talked in İmralı|publisher=Milliyet|date=5 March 2013|access-date=21 March 2013|language=tr|archive-date=17 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131217221304/http://siyaset.milliyet.com.tr/iste-imrali-daki-gorusmenin-tutanaklari-basarisizlikta-ben-yokum-/siyaset/siyasetdetay/28.02.2013/1674358/default.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> and finally, the bombings of the Justice Ministry of Turkey and Erdoğan's office at the Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Ankara.<ref name="Twin bombs strike the peace">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21854215|title=Turkish capital Ankara hit by twin explosions|publisher=BBC|date =20 March 2013|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> However, both parties vehemently condemned all three events as they occurred and stated that they were determined anyway. Finally on 21 March 2013, after months of negotiations with the Turkish Government, Abdullah Ocalan's message to the people was read both in Turkish and Kurdish during the Newroz celebrations in Diyarbakır. The letter called a cease-fire that included disarmament and withdrawal from Turkish soil and calling ''an end to armed struggle''. PKK announced that they would obey, stating that the year of 2013 is the year of solution either through war or through peace. Erdoğan welcomed the letter stating that concrete steps will follow PKK's withdrawal.

On 25 April 2013, the PKK announced that it withdraws all its forces within Turkey to northern Iraq.<ref name="Withdrawel">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324743704578444630691252760?mod=WSJEurope_hpp_LEFTTopStories|title=Kurdish Group to Pull Armed Units from Turkey|publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=25 April 2013|access-date=25 April 2013|archive-date=12 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012044718/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887324743704578444630691252760?mod=WSJEurope_hpp_LEFTTopStories|url-status=live}}</ref> According to the government<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.internethaber.com/kandIl-acIklamasI-meclIste-tansIyonu-yukselttI-526242h.htm|title=Kandil açıklaması meclis'te tansiyonu yükseltti|publisher=İnternethaber|date=25 April 2013|access-date=25 April 2013|language=tr}}</ref> and the Kurds<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.haber3.com/kandilin-kararina-meclisten-ilk-tepkiler-haberi-1927878h.htm|title=Kandil'in Kararına Meclis'ten İlk Tepkiler|publisher=Haber3|date=25 April 2013|access-date=25 April 2013|language=tr}}</ref> and to most of the press,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://t24.com.tr/yazi/silahlara-veda/6592|title=Silahlara veda|publisher=T24|date=25 April 2013|access-date=25 April 2013|language=tr|archive-date=28 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428011936/http://t24.com.tr/yazi/silahlara-veda/6592|url-status=dead}}</ref> this move marks the end of a 30-year-old conflict. The second phase which includes constitutional and legal changes towards the recognition of human rights of the Kurds starts simultaneously with withdrawal.<ref>* Arin, Kubilay Yado, Turkey and the Kurds – From War to Reconciliation? UC Berkeley Center for Right Wing Studies Working Paper Series, March 26, 2015.https://www.academia.edu/11674094/Turkey_and_the_Kurds_From_War_to_Reconciliation</ref>

===Wise people committee=== The government announced its long-awaited list of "wise men" on April 4, the members of a seven-region commission tasked with explaining the ongoing settlement process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to the public and promoting the negotiations. Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç announced the list of "wise people", several weeks after the government first announced plans to set up such a commission made up of intellectuals and well-liked public figures.

The list includes celebrities who are intellectuals, writers and academics as well as singers such as Orhan Gencebay. The commission is made up of groups organized on a regional basis, and will be active in seven regions across the country. On Tuesday, while mystery still shrouded the identities of the government's list of wise people, Erdoğan said, "We will listen to the views and suggestions of the people who are part of this delegation, consult with them and they will organize some events in [the country's] regions and get together with our citizens and local public opinion leaders." In a speech on March 23, the prime minister defined the role of the commission, saying they will be conducting a "psychological operation," indicating the wise people will act as public relations agents. In a speech he made in Ankara on March 23, Erdoğan stated, "It is important to prepare the public for this and social perceptions should be created by the wise men." He said only public acceptance can fend off nationalistic shows.

The Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) were critical of the wise men list, claiming that the people on the list are all supportive of the government. On April 5, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met for the first time with members of the wise men commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=PM Erdoğan, wise men meet for settlement |date=2013-04-07 |url=http://www.todayszaman.com/news-311876-event-of-the-week-pm-erdogan-wise-men-meet-for-settlement.html |publisher=Today's Zaman |access-date=2013-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130426004106/http://todayszaman.com/news-311876-event-of-the-week-pm-erdogan-wise-men-meet-for-settlement.html |archive-date=2013-04-26 |url-status=dead }}</ref> After five weeks of work, the Wise Persons committee gave its first report to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and shared their impressions on the level of support regarding the process. The meeting lasted over four hours.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wise People report back to Turkish PM after five weeks of meetings |date=2013-05-10|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/wise-people-report-back-to-turkish-pm-after-five-weeks-of-meetings.aspx?pageID=238&nID=46607&NewsCatID=338 |publisher=Hurriyetdailynews |access-date=2013-05-10}}</ref>

Members of wise people committee classified by region: {{Col-begin}} {{Col-break}}'''Aegean Region''' * Chairman: Tarhan Erdem * Vice Chairman: Avni Özgürel * Secretary: Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ * Hasan Karaya * Hilal Kaplan * Fuat Keyman * Fehmi Koru * Baskın Oran {{Col-break}} '''Black Sea Region''' * Chairman: Yusuf Şevki Hakyemez * Vice Chairman: Vedat Bilgin * Secretary: Fatma Benli * Şemsi Bayraktar * Kürşat Bumin * Oral Çalışlar * Orhan Gencebay * Yıldıray Oğur * Bendevi Palandöken {{Col-break}} '''Central Anatolia Region''' * Chairman: Ahmet Taşgetiren * Vice Chairman: Beril Dedeoğlu * Secretary: Cemal Uşşak * Vahap Coşkun * Doğu Ergil * Erol Göka * Mustafa Kumlu * Fadime Özkan * Celalettin Can {{Col-break}} '''Eastern Anatolia region''' * Chairman: Can Paker * Vice Chairman: Sibel Eraslan * Secretary: Ayhan Ogan * Mahmut Arslan * Abdurrahman Dilipak * İzzettin Doğan * Abdurrahman Kurt * Zübeyde Teker * Mehmet Uçum {{Col-break}} '''Marmara Region''' * Chairman: Deniz Ülke Arıboğan * Vice Chairman: Mithat Sancar * Secretary: Levent Korkut * Mustafa Armağan * Ali Bayramoğlu * Ahmet Gündoğdu * Hayrettin Karaman * Hülya Koçyiğit * Yücel Sayman {{Col-break}} '''Mediterranean Region''' * Chairman: Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu * Vice Chairman: Lale Mansur * Secretary: Tarık Çelenk * Kadir İnanır * Nihal Bengisu Karaca * Şükrü Karatepe * Muhsin Kızılkaya * Öztürk Türkdoğan * Hüseyin Yayman {{Col-break}} '''Southeastern Anatolia Region''' * Chairman: Yılmaz Ensaroğlu * Vice Chairman: Kezban Hatemi * Secretary: Mehmet Emin Ekmen * Murat Belge * Fazıl Hüsnü Erdem * Yılmaz Erdoğan * Etyen Mahçupyan * Lami Özgen * Ahmet Faruk Ünsal {{col-end}}

==Timeline== {{Prose|date=October 2022|section}} * Wednesday 28 December 2012: Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan revealed that the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) had been visiting Abdullah Öcalan to find a solution to end the conflict. * Thursday 3 January 2013: Ahmet Türk and BDP deputy Ayla Akat Ata went to İmralı island where they met Abdullah Öcalan.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kurdish Deputies Meet Ocalan on Imrali Island|url=https://www.bianet.org/english/human-rights/143295-kurdish-deputies-meet-ocalan-on-imrali-island|access-date=2020-10-18|website=Bianet - Bagimsiz Iletisim Agi}}</ref> * Wednesday 9 January 2013: Founding member of the PKK Sakine Cansız and Kurdish activists Fidan Doğan and Leyla Söylemez were assassinated in Paris.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kurdish PKK co-founder Sakine Cansiz shot dead in Paris|publisher=BBC|date=2013-01-10|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20968375|access-date=2013-01-12|archive-date=2022-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220401095827/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20968375|url-status=live}}</ref> * Thursday 14 February 2013: The Turkish government has announced that a second delegation of BDP members will be meeting with Öcalan.<ref>{{cite web|title=BDP delegation to meet with Öcalan |date=2013-02-14|url=http://english.sabah.com.tr/national/2013/02/14/bdp-delegation-to-meet-with-ocalan |publisher=Sabah English|access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref> * Friday 15 February 2013: Erdogan said that the negotiations between MIT and Ocalan would be more accurate if it's called 'Solution process' rather than as 'Imralı process'.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adını çözüm süreci koydu|date=2013-02-16|url=http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/adini-cozum-sureci-koydu.htm|language=tr|publisher=Taraf|access-date=2013-04-26|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130706132022/http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/adini-cozum-sureci-koydu.htm|archive-date=2013-07-06|url-status=dead}}</ref> * Saturday 23 February 2013: BDP deputy parliamentary group chair Pervin Buldan, Istanbul deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder and Diyarbakır deputy Altan Tan went to Öcalan's prison on İmralı island. The delegation, which was granted special authorization by the Ministry of Justice to hold deliberations with Abdullah Öcalan, heard out the PKK leader's proposed roadmap for the government to put an end to the issue of terrorism in the country. Öcalan also passed on letters to Kandil, the PKK's European administration and to the public via the BDP delegation.<ref>{{cite web|title=BDP delegation heads to İmrali for second round of talks |date=2013-02-23|url=http://english.sabah.com.tr/national/2013/02/23/first-step-to-peace-take-your-hand-off-the-trigger |publisher=Sabah English |access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref> * Thursday 28 February 2013: Daily Milliyet published a story by Namık Durukan claiming to be what was partially discussed between imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan and the three members of the Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party during their visit to Imrali.<ref>{{cite web|title=Öcalan's prerequisite, the prime minister's prerequisite |date=2013-03-02|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ocalans-prerequisite-the-prime-ministers-prerequisite-.aspx?pageID=449&nID=42158&NewsCatID=396 |publisher= Hürriyet Daily News|access-date=2013-04-22}}</ref> * Monday 11 March 2013: A six-person delegation has left Diyarbakır to meet the eight public workers to be released by PKK in Iraq. The delegation included the BDP politicians Sebahat Tuncel, Adil Kurt and Hüsamettin Zenderlioğlu as well as the president of Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Chairman of Mazlumder.<ref>{{cite web|date=2013-03-11|title=Delegation on its way to meet Turkish prisoners held by PKK|url=http://en.firatnews.com/news/news/delegation-on-its-way-to-meet-turkish-prisoners-held-by-pkk-flash.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224145028/https://anfenglish.com/news/delegation-on-its-way-to-meet-turkish-prisoners-held-by-pkk-flash-6873|archive-date=2021-02-24|access-date=2013-04-22|publisher=Fırat Haber Ajansı}}</ref> * Wednesday 13 March 2013: The PKK freed eight Turkish prisoners held for two years in Iraq. The release of the eight captives came after a request by Öcalan.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurd rebels free Turkish prisoners in northern Iraq |date=2013-03-13 |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130313156705 |publisher=Saudi Gazette |access-date=2013-04-22 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130706111027/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20130313156705 |archive-date=2013-07-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> * Monday 18 March 2013: Kurdish parliamentarians set off by boat to visit Abdullah Ocalan in his island prison. The delegation includes BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş, deputies Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder.<ref>{{Cite web|date=18 March 2013|title=Kurdish Deputies Set Off For Imrali|url=https://bianet.org/english/politics/145176-kurdish-deputies-set-off-for-imrali|url-status=live|website=Bianet|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120064007/https://bianet.org/english/politics/145176-kurdish-deputies-set-off-for-imrali |archive-date=2022-01-20 }}</ref> * '''Thursday 21 March 2013: '''After months of negotiations with the Turkish Government, Abdullah Ocalan's letter to people was read both in Turkish and Kurdish during Nowruz celebrations in Diyarbakır. The letter called a cease-fire that included disarmament and withdrawal from Turkish soil and calling an end to armed struggle.<ref>{{cite web|title=Öcalan calls on Kurdish militants to bid farewell to arms for a 'new' Turkey |date=2013-03-13|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?PageID=238&NID=43373 |publisher=Hurriyet |access-date=2013-04-26}}</ref> * Friday 29 March 2013: Erdoğan said that PKK militants who withdraw from Turkey will have to lay down their arms before crossing the border in order to prevent further confrontation. He also said "that when they go, the atmosphere of my country will change when we realize the economic boom in the east [after the withdrawal]."<ref>{{cite web|title=Militants should lay down their arms before withdrawing: PM Erdoğan|date=2013-03-29|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/militants-should-lay-down-their-arms-before-withdrawing-pm-erdogan.aspx?pageID=238&nID=43938&NewsCatID=338|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News |access-date=2013-04-26}}</ref> * Wednesday 3 April 2013: Turkey has set up a consultative body of "wise people" to help shape public opinion on the peace process with the PKK.<ref>{{cite web|title=Erdogan's 'wise' step to help Kurd peace talks|date=2013-04-03|url=http://www.arabnews.com/news/446933|publisher=Arab News|access-date=2013-04-26}}</ref> * Thursday 4 April 2013: Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) announced that they would not take part in a commission that would be established to assess the solution process for Kurdish issue within the parliament. Both CHP and MHP said they would not send members to that commission.<ref>{{cite web |title=Turkish Press Review |date=2013-04-06 |url=http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=383824 |publisher=Turkish Press |access-date=2013-04-26 |archive-date=2018-08-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806030343/http://www.turkishpress.com/news.asp?id=383824 |url-status=live }}</ref> Erdoğan met on for the first time with members of the wise men commission, tasked with explaining to the public the ongoing settlement process with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and to promote the negotiations.<ref>{{cite web|title=Wise people meet PM Erdogan |date=2013-04-13|url=http://www.trtenglish.com/trtworld/en/newsdetail.aspx?haberkodu=e5418265-4719-479d-93aa-cc948dd3e36c|publisher=TRT English|access-date=2013-04-26}}</ref> * Saturday 20 April 2013: Sırrı Süreyya Önder said that PKK withdrawal will start in eight to 10 days.<ref>{{cite web|title=PKK withdrawal to start in eight to 10 days: BDP deputy Önder |date=2013-04-20|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-withdrawal-to-start-in-eight-to-10-days-bdp-deputy-onder.aspx?pageID=238&nID=45294&NewsCatID=338 |publisher=Hurriyet Daily News |access-date=2013-04-26}}</ref> * Thursday 25 April 2013: PKK announced that it withdraws all its forces within Turkey to Iraq on May 8.<ref name="Withdrawel"/> * Wednesday 8 May 2013: PKK members start withdrawal from Turkey.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/0508/PKK-militants-start-withdrawal-from-Turkey-fueling-optimism-for-peace-process |title=PKK militants start withdrawal from Turkey, fueling optimism for peace process |publisher=The Christian Science Monitor|date=8 May 2013|access-date=10 May 2013}}</ref> A parliamentary commission - in charge of researching the means of societal peace and determine on the ongoing resolution process in Turkey - has held its first meeting last night, pledging to inform the public more on the process and launch investigations in Turkey and abroad. * Thursday 9 May 2013: The wise people committee gave its first report to Erdoğan and shared their impressions on the level of support regarding the process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=108427 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721081640/http://www.worldbulletin.net/?aType=haber&ArticleID=108427 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |title="Wise People" to present preliminary report to Turkish PM |publisher=World Bulletin |date=9 May 2013|access-date=10 May 2013}}</ref> * In July 2014 the parliament passed ''The Law on Ending Terror and Strengthening Social Integration'' which protected the state officials negotiating with the PKK from legal prosecution but not the HDP lawmakers.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://link.springer.com/10.1007/978-981-13-1141-3 |title=The Dubious Case of a Failed Coup: Militarism, Masculinities, and 15 July in Turkey |date=2019 |publisher=Springer Singapore |isbn=978-981-13-1140-6 |editor-last=Çiçekoğlu |editor-first=Feride |location=Singapore |pages=208–209 |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-981-13-1141-3 |s2cid=239077169 |editor-last2=Turan |editor-first2=Ömer}}</ref> * 20 August 2014: Lieutenant Emre As is killed and a recruit is wounded in a PKK ambush.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/askere-pusu-1-sehit-1-yarali-27036765 | title=Askere pusu: 1 şehit, 1 yaralı | date=20 August 2014 }}</ref> * Saturday 27 September 2014: 3 police officers are killed. The PKK shot two police officers after Turkey would not allow members of the PKK to travel/return to Syria and the besieged town of Kobani to fight ISIS.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-militants-claim-deadly-ambush-turkeys-southeast-1343877279#comment-1276|title=Kurdish militants claim deadly ambush in Turkey's southeast|access-date=2014-09-28|archive-date=2014-11-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111215037/http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-militants-claim-deadly-ambush-turkeys-southeast-1343877279#comment-1276|url-status=live}}</ref> * 6-8 October 2014 Kurdish riots : 42 civilians were killed during armed conflicts. It was initiated under the leadership of YDG-H members and later grew with the participation of HÜDA-PAR supporters and Grey Wolves. Some of the demonstrators attacked civilians in during protests<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sozcu.com.tr/2014/gundem/kobani-protestolarinda-aci-bilanco-618217/4/|title=Arşivlenmiş kopya|accessdate=5 September 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924104152/http://www.sozcu.com.tr/2014/gundem/kobani-protestolarinda-aci-bilanco-618217/4/|archivedate=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2014/10/09/kobani-protestolarinin-bilancosu-agir-oldu|title=Arşivlenmiş kopya|accessdate=5 September 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924140544/http://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2014/10/09/kobani-protestolarinin-bilancosu-agir-oldu|archivedate=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Curfews were declared in many provinces due to the fact that some of the demonstrators attacked the civilian population and homes, workplaces and vehicles were burned next to many public buildings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evrensel.net/haber/93630/koban-protestolarinin-bilancosu|title=Arşivlenmiş kopya|accessdate=5 September 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924005850/http://www.evrensel.net/haber/93630/koban-protestolarinin-bilancosu|archivedate=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of October 10, 42 people died during the demonstrations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haberler.com/kobani-olaylari-olu-ssayisi-35-e-cikti-6571321-haberi/|title=Kobani Protestolarında Ölü Sayısı 35'e Çıktı|date=10 October 2014 |accessdate=23 January 2015|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015010212/http://www.haberler.com/kobani-olaylari-olu-ssayisi-35-e-cikti-6571321-haberi/|archivedate=15 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The protesters denouncing Ankara position during Islamic State's siege of Kobani. This is the main incident out of the ceasefire period.<ref name="crisisgroup#pre2015">{{citation|author=International Crisis Group|title=Turkey's PKK Conflict Kills almost 3,000 in Two Years|url=https://www.crisisgroup.be/interactives/turkey/#pre2015|year=2018}}</ref> * 28 February 2015 the Dolmabahce Consensus was declared by a joint commission of politician of the HDP and the Turkish Government.<ref>{{Cite book|title=An Uncertain Ally: Turkey Under Erdogan's Dictatorship|last=Phillips|first=David L.|date=2017-05-23|publisher=Taylor & Francis|isbn=9781351623940|pages=68|language=en}}</ref> * 7 June 2015: Following largely successful ceasefire<ref name="crisisgroup#pre2015" /> period thanks to the government and the rebels efforts, the June 2015 Turkish general election provides major gain to the HDP (13% of votes, +7.5%) and notable decrease for AKP (41% of votes, -9%). * 20 July 2015: ISIS lead the Suruç bombing, killing 32 people, largely Kurdish. PKK elements accused Turkey of supporting ISIS and being complicit of the bombing.<ref name=":4">{{cite news|title=Kurdish militants claim 'revenge' killing of two Turkish policemen|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11755018/Two-Turkish-police-officers-killed-close-to-Syria-border.html|access-date=29 April 2016|work=Telegraph.co.uk|archive-date=3 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703180103/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11755018/Two-Turkish-police-officers-killed-close-to-Syria-border.html|url-status=live}}</ref> * '''22 July 2015's Ceylanpınar incidents as casus belli:''' Two police officers are assassinated by unidentified men. Soon after, 9 Turkey Kurds are anonymously denounced as the killers, accused of assassinations under PKK orders.<ref name="ipa.news">{{Cite web|date=2019-04-16|title=Acquittal of nine Ceylanpinar murder suspects upheld|url=https://ipa.news/2019/04/16/acquittal-of-nine-ceylanpinar-murder-suspects-upheld/|access-date=2021-07-12|website=IPA NEWS|language=en-US|archive-date=2022-11-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115130255/https://ipa.news/2019/04/16/acquittal-of-nine-ceylanpinar-murder-suspects-upheld/|url-status=live}}</ref> PKK initially claimed responsibility but later denied any links to the murders.<ref name="ipa.news"/> The Turkish Daily Sabah reports the policemen were asleep when they were killed.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2019-05-10 |title=Senior PKK terrorist declares support for CHP's Imamoğlu |trans-title=In July 2015, the group murdered police officers Okan Acar, 25, and Feyyaz Yumuşak, 24, in their sleep at their house in the Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/05/10/senior-pkk-terrorist-declares-support-for-chps-imamoglu |access-date=2022-10-04 |website=Daily Sabah |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-10-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004061551/https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2019/05/10/senior-pkk-terrorist-declares-support-for-chps-imamoglu |url-status=live }}</ref> * 24 July 2015: Erdogan government simultaneously starts a large scale police operations while the Turkish military begins a large-scale military Operation Martyr Yalçın against PKK and ISIL. As a result, PKK announces the resumption of full-scale hostilities. The collapse of the ceasefire have been linked to the poor performance at the June election.<ref name="ipa.news"/><ref>U.N. Accuses Turkey of Killing Hundreds of Kurds https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/10/world/europe/un-turkey-kurds-human-rights-abuses.html?smid=tw-share</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Graeber|first=David|author-link=David Graeber|date=2015-11-18|title=Turkey could cut off Islamic State's supply lines. So why doesn't it?|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/turkey-cut-islamic-state-supply-lines-erdogan-isis|url-status=live|access-date=2021-07-12|website=The Guardian|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118160646/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/turkey-cut-islamic-state-supply-lines-erdogan-isis |archive-date=2015-11-18 }}</ref> * 24 August 2015: President Erdogan called for snap election. * 1 November 2015: The November 2015 Turkish general election provide a major gain to the AKP (49,5% of votes, +8.6%) and decrease for HDP (10,7% of votes, -2.4%). The HDP narrowly hovering the 10% election threshold needed to win seats. The low score of the HDP has been linked to the renewal of violence and fear of IS attacks on HDP political rallies.<ref name=":1" /> * March 2018: all 9 PKK suspects in the July 2015 killing the two Turkish policemen in Ceylanpınar, which lead AKP to denounce the peace process and resume war, were acquitted by the Turkey Court as no substantial evidence was provided.<ref>Kurdish teen brutally tortured in case that ended peace process | Mahir Korulu https://ahvalnews.com/turkey-kurds/kurdish-teen-brutally-tortured-case-ended-peace-process{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> * 16 April 2019: the Ceylanpınar double assassination's 9 suspected PKK operatives' acquittal is upheld by a Higher Court.<ref name="ipa.news"/> No suspect has been confirmed for the July 22nd 2015's casus belli. * 6 May 2019: Ocalan's lawyers release a statement from him after years of isolation. It is believed to be related to the latest Turkish elections (31 March 2019) in which AKP lost control of Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir due to tactical voting by HDP.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theglobalist.com/turkey-elections-erdogan-democracy-pkk/|title=Erdogan Makes Mockery of Elections|date=2019-05-07|website=The Globalist|language=en-US|access-date=2019-05-07}}</ref>

==Public opinion== On March 21, 2013, a public opinion survey carried out by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) suggests that almost 57.7 percent of people support ongoing government-sponsored efforts for the settlement of the conflict with PKK. While 10 percent declined to comment, slightly more than 22 percent said they do not support the process. The results of the survey were discussed in a meeting held at AK Party headquarters. According to the survey, the highest support for the government efforts to end Turkey-PKK conflict comes from the Southeast,<ref name=gg/> with 81 percent. The Southeast is followed by the East, with 77 percent. However, the support is lower in the other regions. In Marmara and Central Anatolia, roughly 59 percent of participants in the survey said they support the settlement process, while 49 percent of respondents in the Mediterranean said the same. In the Aegean region, 44 percent of respondents expressed support for the peace talks, and 43 percent in the Black Sea region expressed support.<ref name=gg>{{Cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/news-310981-58-percent-support-govt-efforts-for-settlement-survey-shows.html|title=58 percent support gov't efforts for settlement, survey shows|author=Ahmet Dönmez|publisher=Today's Zaman|location=Ankara|date=28 March 2013|access-date=10 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130330102346/http://www.todayszaman.com/news-310981-58-percent-support-govt-efforts-for-settlement-survey-shows.html|archive-date=30 March 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In early May 2013, the number of supporters increased to 70 percent according to a survey carried out by the AK Party, while a survey conducted by the Konda research company showed that the number of supporters increased to 81.3 percent.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/kondanin-son-anketi-cozum-surecine-destek-yuzde-813e-ulasti/229284|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509015843/http://t24.com.tr/haber/kondanin-son-anketi-cozum-surecine-destek-yuzde-813e-ulasti/229284|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 9, 2013|title=KONDA'nın son anketi: Çözüm sürecine destek yüzde 81.3'e ulaştı|publisher=T24|date=6 May 2013|access-date=10 May 2013}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152654/http://www.kocayusuf.co/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/players1.html A visual taxonomy of the Kurdish Peace Process] {{Kurdish–Turkish conflict}} {{Recep Tayyip Erdoğan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Solution Process}} Category:Abdullah Öcalan Category:History of the Kurdistan Workers' Party Category:Kurdish–Turkish peace process Category:Recep Tayyip Erdoğan