Erdoğan's Silence on Öcalan Viewed as a Deliberate Strategic Choice

WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY — DEC. 4, 2025

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s conspicuous silence regarding PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, in contrast to his ultranationalist ally Devlet Bahçeli, is a calculated political strategy, according to sources familiar with the matter.

The approach, described as a tactic to avoid elevating Öcalan to the level of a presidential interlocutor, highlights the differing tones within Turkey's ruling alliance as it navigates a new "opening" process concerning the Kurdish issue.

A Cacophony of Voices

The barometers of this new initiative are fluctuating weekly, characterized by a striking divergence in rhetoric and style among key players.

From the recent visit of Iraq’s Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani to Cizre—which turned into a show of force under heavy security—to conflicting interpretations of Öcalan’s messages from İmralı prison and threatening statements from the PKK’s mountain leadership, the process is marked by a cacophony of voices.

Even presidential advisors have publicly clashed. Former Konya MP Mustafa Akış criticized the optics of Barzani’s visit, while fellow advisor Mehmet Uçum dismissed dissenting voices within the PKK and conflicts among former politicians as "sabotage."

The 'Coup Mechanism' Debate

A fresh point of contention within ruling circles revolves around Öcalan’s reported warning to representatives that "if the process fails, a coup mechanism will be activated."

While some interpret this as a signal to MHP’s base about a potential move against Bahçeli, others argue Öcalan is referring to a power struggle within the PKK itself. Proponents of the latter view suggest that if no concrete steps are taken, hardline factions could sideline Öcalan, leading to the emergence of a new structure aligned with foreign powers.

Skepticism Within the AKP

Not everyone within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is unified in their approach. Some members, speaking on condition of anonymity, argue for a more nuanced strategy that looks beyond immediate security concerns.

"The process is very dynamic. Developments in Syria are not stable for Turkey, the Damascus government, the U.S., or the Kurds," one AKP source said. "It is not right to look at every problem here solely with a state and intelligence mindset. Of course, security is important, but sometimes you have to see the other side."

The source emphasized that the core of the issue lies in addressing the democratic rights and demands of Turkey's Kurdish citizens, which they argue have been largely ignored.

"Let's assume steps are taken regarding the PKK, the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), and Öcalan. After that, the democratization and Kurdish rights file will come to the table, whether wanted or not. The real work is there," the source added. "If the Cumhur Alliance has to face this, whether it wants to or not, that’s when the real test of sincerity will be."

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Source : Nuray Babacan / Nefes