Erdogan after PKK's historic move: We always keep an iron fist ready

(Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will continue operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) if the disarmament process is halted or promises are not fulfilled.

Speaking at a gathering in Istanbul marking the beginning of the month of Ramadan, Erdogan stressed that in the peace initiative "there is nothing that would disturb the sacred spirits of our martyrs."

"Turkey will be the winner, as will our children, the guarantee of our bright future," the Turkish leader said.

However, he warned that the military is always ready to respond.

"We do not consider our desire for peace a weakness. We always keep an iron fist ready, in case the hand we extend remains in the air or is bitten," Erdogan said, alluding to the PKK, which Ankara and its Western allies consider a terrorist organization.

Recall, PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan earlier called on the organization to disarm, and the PKK executive committee accepted his order, declaring a ceasefire.

In a statement, the PKK emphasized that it would adhere to Ocalan's call, but stressed that disarmament can only be carried out under his practical leadership and the establishment of democratic and legal foundations for resolving the Kurdish issue in Turkey.

Ocalan, who has been imprisoned on Imrali Island since 1999, still wields significant influence over the PKK. In his earlier address, he stated that the organization had lost its reason for existence due to changes in the political context, and assessed that it was time for its dissolution.