After 26 years, Abdullah Ocalan has reemerged in a newly released video message on Wednesday - that was filmed on June 19 - referring to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as the "Communalist Movement,” which is the same organization he had previously urged to disband.
Media outlets affiliated with the PKK have increasingly adopted the term "Kurdish Freedom Movement." This shift became more pronounced after the PKK’s 12th Congress, held in early May. During the congress, the PKK announced its dissolution, following a February appeal from its jailed leader Ocalan, calling for an end to armed struggle in favor of a political solution focused on Kurdish rights.
However, we are likely to hear more frequent references to communalism going forward – a concept inspired by Murray Bookchin’s theories on the ecology of freedom, direct democracy, and social organization.
Ocalan’s use of communalist language signals a possible ideological departure from the Marxist-Leninist and national liberation frameworks that have historically shaped Kurdish political movements over the past four decades. His shift appears both philosophical and strategic.
Time and age have a profound impact on people. Though Ocalan speaks in the video with evident passion for advancing democratic politics, his age shows - his tone is more tempered, reflective. A key part of his message is devoted to legitimizing the decision to disband the PKK and end the armed struggle. To underscore this legitimacy, six other PKK prisoners are visibly present behind him - an implicit signal that this is a collective stance, not merely a personal declaration.
After leading the PKK for more than 46 years - starting at age 30 - Ocalan’s transformation may be partly explained by the “age theory” in civil war outcomes, which suggests that as armed group leaders age, they tend to prioritize peace and legacy over prolonging the conflict. The evolution mirrors the late-stage transformation of Palestinian figure Yasser Arafat, who ultimately sought peace after decades of conflict. Ocalan’s transformation could mark an important step toward ending a prolonged conflict and opening a new chapter in Kurdish politics in Turkey. However, it remains unclear whether this effort will ultimately succeed.
In his early years, Ocalan emerged as a radical leftist leader, founding the PKK with the intent to adapt Marxist-Leninist-Maoist ideologies to the Kurdish context. He strongly believed in a multi-force approach to political change, establishing both the PKK and the National Liberation Army. He introduced compulsory military service for Kurdish youth and, during the PKK’s third congress, institutionalized a principle known as “Kurdishness by force” - requiring all Kurds to either engage in armed struggle or support it.
This strategy led to two main outcomes: direct confrontation with the Turkish state, and ongoing tensions with other Kurdish political factions. Unlike more traditional Kurdish parties, the PKK launched its struggle with an idealistic and maximalist vision - seeking the unification and independence of all four parts of Kurdistan. This vision has shaped Kurdish political discourse for nearly five decades. As Jalal Talabani - a prominent Kurdish politician, late Iraqi president and founder of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) - once said in the Kurdish Parliament, the PKK is “a strange body” within the broader Kurdish movement. Ocalan, too, has redefined the organization over the years - from a “Presidential Movement” to a “Movement of the Comrades of Communism,” and now, to a “Communalist Movement.”
Regardless of the evolving terminology, one thing remains clear: the key to understanding the PKK requires understanding Ocalan himself.
Decoding Ocalan's message
Ocalan’s recent video message lasts 7 minutes and 8 seconds, during which he speaks slowly, expressing only 617 carefully chosen words. Notably, he refers to the importance of “time” in various ways more than 17 times, using it largely to legitimize his calls and decisions. For instance, he refers to them as “historical decisions” or “historical steps” in nine instances. To reinforce his overarching argument, he emphasizes that the PKK has fulfilled its role in resisting the politics of denial and now must evolve in both its goals and its approach.
At the very beginning of his statement, he says: “Even though it may seem repetitive, I consider it a moral duty to provide a clear and thoughtful response to the issue, along with possible solutions.” This suggests he has addressed these matters before but now finds it essential to clarify them anew, recognizing lingering doubts within the movement. These doubts likely center on two key issues: the justification for the transformation, and the necessary guarantees that should be secured from the Turkish state.
Ocalan emphasizes on at least two occasions that this is not a defeat. He insists that the PKK has achieved its core objective and that continued armed struggle would only result in redundancy and stagnation. To reassure PKK members, he addresses two future pathways: a legal transition, and the establishment of a new political structure. In fact, he uses terms related to political transformation at least 23 times, reinforcing the idea through concepts such as communalism, society, democracy, and peace.
Ocalan also mentions that he has written a new manifesto meant to replace the Path of the Kurdistan Revolution - suggesting a potential new political organization may emerge. This could involve restructuring PKK-affiliated institutions. It’s possible the Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) will undergo reforms this fall to absorb some PKK elements. Those unable to return to Turkey may continue their work in affiliated institutions abroad, either in Europe or elsewhere.
Ocalan further acknowledges the importance of psychological complexity of the disarmament process. He calls it voluntary and frames it as a transformation – rather than defeat or surrender. He also expresses solidarity with his comrades, emphasizing eternal camaraderie and a shared journey. The latter indicates that Ocalan is seemingly aware of how the differing stances of each PKK leadership member can be influential, and has therefore taken these psychological factors into account. He has addressed this not only in relation to the PKK but also with regard to public opinion, emphasizing the need to alleviate their concerns. Most likely, he has connected this to practical measures for disarmament, aiming to build public confidence in the process.
On the matter of state guarantees, Ocalan proposes the formation of a parliamentary commission and expresses confidence in the Turkish state. He repeatedly urges the PKK to take initiative. He urged the group to fulfill the requirements of this phase, which he mentioned at least six times, criticizing the logic of “you first, then me.” He states: “I feel those steps will not go to waste. I know there is good intention, and I have confidence in it.” He also seeks to accelerate the process, urging that his own release should not be used as a precondition. Instead, he links his personal freedom to that of Kurdish society, suggesting a broader vision of collective liberation.
Ocalan confirms that he is speaking of his own free will, and that the content of his message stems from meetings held on Imrali Island, where he is held. While no formal agreement on the PKK disarmament has been signed with the state, his rhetoric indicates that dialogue is ongoing with state officials. Since the end of World War II, a total of 309 peace agreements have been concluded between states and armed rebel groups. The PKK’s case is not among these, as it remains an informal rather than a formal agreement. Experience has shown that the success of such processes - whether formal or informal - is a highly sensitive matter. Of the 309 peace agreements, 110 failed within an average of 471 days, while more than 64 percent were successful.
It remains unclear whether the process involving Ocalan, the PKK, and the state will ultimately succeed. However, what is certain is that, alongside numerous obstacles, there are also significant opportunities for success. Although there may not be space here to discuss all of these factors, time will reveal the outcome.
Ziryan Rojhelati is director of the Rudaw Research Center.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Rudaw.