“We call on the separatist terror organization to put down its weapons. Turkey’s stance is clear. Once they lay down their arms, we will completely stop the military operations,” Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said.
Erdogan’s comments came as President of Iraq’s Kurdish Regional Government Massoud Barzani made similar remarks in a news conference in Ankara.
Barzani called on the PKK to pursue peaceful methods, saying that he will not allow the group prevail over the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq.
The PKK mainly uses northern Iraq to organize its members for armed attacks against Turkey while Ankara has repeatedly launched airstrikes in the region.
The PKK launched its armed terror campaign in Turkey’s largely Kurdish southeast in 1984, seeking separation from the country. Tens of thousands have been killed in the conflict so far.
MGH/AGB/MFB/GHN
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