Monday, March 3

The Kurdistan Workers' Party has officially declared peace with the government after their imprisoned leader recently called for a ceasefire, bringing a sense of calm to a region that has experienced conflict for decades.

The Kurds are an ethnic group situated in the mountainous region of Kurdistan, which is spread out across southeastern Turkey, northern Iraq, northern Syria, and northwestern Iran. The Kurds have had conflict with Turkey for centuries as they attempt to create their own independent nation, but the more recent fighting has taken a large toll on both sides.

In 1978, the fighting restarted after a lull, with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leading the way. The PKK fought hard for an independent state, launching attacks on Turkish military and police. Since 1984, at least 37,000 people have been killed in the conflict.

In 1999, the party's leader, Abdullah Öcalan, was captured in Nairobi, Kenya. He was quickly placed into solitary confinement on Imrali island in the Sea of Marmara for leading , where he still sits today.

Several days ago, Öcalan made an announcement from his prison, calling on the PKK to end their yearslong fight for an independent state and make peace with the Turkish government. He instructed the group to lay down their weapons and dissolve the organization, but many people were unsure whether the group would obey him. Read more about his initial announcement here.

Incumbent Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been trying to appease the Kurds for some time now, as he requires their support in Parliament. Currently, Turkish law only permits a president to run for office twice, but Parliament can change that using an amendment to their constitution. Erdogan has been trying to do this to enable himself to run for president again in 2028, but he needs the support of several pro-Kurdish parties to reach the two-thirds majority that is needed.

Now, the PKK has agreed to end their fight, bringing peace to the region and praise for Erdogan. In addition, Öcalan will be freed from his prison, ending his 25-year tenure, in return for telling the Kurds to put a stop to the violence. The Kurds and the Turks have been at war for decades, and this decision may finally bring the divided people of Anatolia together.

Nevertheless, many people believe that the ceasefire may not last. Several have pointed out how not all members of the PKK may agree with the dissolution of the party, which could lead to the formation of a new, more radical group. Furthermore, the PKK has multiple allies in Syria, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who are currently adjusting to the new governmental situation over there and may not agree with Öcalan's views.

Additionally, a similar situation to this occurred over a decade ago. In 2013, Turkey began attempting to make peace with the PKK, and Öcalan made a call for the dissolution of the party in 2015. However, the fighting resumed just months later, proving that the situation in Turkey is still extremely fragile.

Upcoming Events:

• World Wildlife Day (Monday, March 3)

• International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness (Wednesday, March 5)

• International Women's Day (Saturday, March 8)

• Special Olympics Winter World Games Begin (Saturday, March 8)

Fact of the Day (Reader's Digest): Many turtles snack on jellyfish. Apparently a relatively nutritious snack, jellyfish can be prey to young green sea turtles. However, as they age, green sea turtles become more herbivorous and stray away from eating just anything.

Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Thoughts will lead you in circles. Silence will bring you back to your centre. (Rasheed Ogunlaru)

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Transpire (verb, tran-SPYRE) - Transpire is a formal verb that means “to happen,” or in other words “to take place or occur.” It can also mean “to come to light” or “to become known,” as in “It transpired that they had met previously.” In botany, to transpire is to give off or exude watery vapor especially from the surfaces of leaves.

In a Sentence: The monument will ensure that posterity will not soon forget the historic events that transpired on that day.