ANKARA, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Türkiye would not tolerate threats to its security or territorial integrity and urged the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to disarm and dissolve without delay.
"Our state has fulfilled its part by enabling the call for a ceasefire. Now, the group must comply unconditionally. We do not have unlimited patience or time for further delays," Erdogan said in an Eid al-Fitr message marking the end of Ramadan.
Türkiye remains committed to its "Türkiye without terrorism" initiative, he said, vowing to continue operations against militant groups "operating from northern Iraq and seeking to establish a terror corridor in northern Syria."
Erdogan said the current geopolitical landscape presented a historic opportunity to end the decades-long conflict with the PKK. "We will not tolerate instability along our southern border or threats to Syria's territorial integrity," he added.
The PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire on March 1, 2025, following a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to halt armed actions. The Turkish government has responded with cautious optimism while continuing counterterrorism operations in Iraq and Syria.
Ankara is awaiting a PKK congress to declare the group disbanded formally. ■
