[Today’s Prayer] Kurdish Armed Group PKK Ends 41-Year Armed Struggle… Erdoğan Says "A New Chapter in History"

The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), an armed group that has fought for over 40 years for separation from Turkey, declared the end of its armed struggle on the 11th (local time).

In response, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a TV speech to members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on the 12th, said, "As of yesterday, the process of ending the catastrophe of terrorism has begun. Today is a new day, and a new chapter in history has opened. The door to a great and strong Turkey, the door to the century of Turkey, is wide open," according to reports by Reuters and the Financial Times (FT).

The PKK, which began fighting in 1984 for the establishment of an independent Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey, has since demanded greater cultural and political autonomy for the Kurdish population of Turkey, numbering around 17 million. However, it has been internationally isolated, designated as a terrorist organization not only by Turkey but also by the European Union (EU) and the United States.

(Omitted)

On the previous day, the PKK formally ended its armed struggle with a weapon burning ceremony in Sulaymaniyah, in northern Iraq's autonomous region, with 30 fighters present. This follows a statement from PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999 for treason, reaffirming the end of the armed struggle in a video message earlier this year and again on the 9th. Öcalan emphasized the transition to democratic politics and the rule of law.

In his speech, President Erdoğan acknowledged the "mistakes" committed by the Turkish government during its war with the PKK, including extrajudicial killings, torture in prisons, and restrictions on the Kurdish language. He emphasized that the end of the conflict with the PKK could bring peace and prosperity to Kurdish populations in neighboring countries, including Syria, where many PKK fighters supported by the U.S. control significant territories.

(Omitted)

Source: Asia Today

The Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. (Joshua 21:43-44)

We hear that President Erdoğan of Turkey has acknowledged the mistakes made against the Kurdish people, such as restrictions on the Kurdish language, imprisonment, and torture, and that the Kurdish armed group PKK, which has fought for separation from Turkey for 41 years, has declared the end of its armed struggle.

Lord, we pray that You grant the Kurdish people the inheritance of Jehovah after 41 years of struggle for freedom, and beyond gaining freedom in Turkey, may they find true freedom through the truth of the Word, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May the Kurdish people find rest in You, Lord, and may the Gospel be preached among them so they understand that You, Jehovah, are their protector. Let the Kurdish people hold onto the cross of their mission and rise up to advance toward the nations.

Through the prayers and dedication of the churches in Turkey and around the world, may the Kurdish people trust in the great God who will help them overcome all their enemies and rise as soldiers to fulfill the Great Commission!

Anoint the Kurdish church, Lord, and raise up leaders who will guide the Kurdish people with the hope of the Kingdom of God. May the Kurdish youth carry a vision for all nations and be sent as missionaries to spread the Gospel!

Let the Kurdish people rise up to follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus, and reclaim the lost sheep! Let the Kurdish people rise up to form an army of all nations in the last days!