Another Threshold Crossed: Parliamentary Delegation Met with Öcalan

Within the framework of the government’s “Terror-Free Türkiye” project, it was announced that the delegation of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission—established under Parliament—met with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan on İmralı Island Prison on 24 November.

In the statement released by the Office of the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (TBMM), it was noted that the delegation not only listened to Öcalan but also asked questions regarding the situation of the SDF in Syria, and that “detailed statements” were obtained, with no further elaboration. The delegation, composed of representatives from the AK Party, the DEM Party, and the MHP, is expected to brief the Commission at the next meeting.

At the Commission’s meeting on 21 November, following a vote in which the CHP decided not to participate in the delegation—and the Yeni Yol group later took the same stance—it became clear that the delegation to travel to İmralı would consist of AK Party Deputy Chair Hüseyin Yayman, DEM Party Parliamentary Group Deputy Chair Gülüstan Kılıç Koçyiğit, and MHP Deputy Chair Feti Yıldız.

Yayman First Denied, Then Confirmed

After the Ministry of Justice completed the authorization procedures on 23 November, it was reported in the media that on the morning of 24 November the delegation met with TBMM Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş—who also chairs the Commission—in Istanbul, and was then transported to İmralı by helicopter under the coordination of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), where they met with Öcalan for about three hours.

When the news of the delegation’s trip to İmralı broke around noon on 24 November, AK Party’s Yayman told İlke TV, “I did not go, and I don’t know who went,” which raised questions regarding the visit. However, after the Office of the Speaker of Parliament confirmed the meeting, Yayman acknowledged that he had gone to İmralı.

Statement from the Office of the Speaker

The statement from the TBMM Speaker’s Office regarding the Öcalan visit is as follows:

“Since its establishment on 5 August 2025, the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye has convened 18 times and has carried out hearings involving relevant parties.

At its most recent 18th meeting, held on 21 November 2025, a qualified majority resolved that Abdullah Öcalan be heard at the İmralı High Security Penal Institution.

In line with this decision, the delegation traveled to the İmralı High Security Penal Institution on 24 November 2025.”

Syria and the 10 March Agreement

The statement continued:

“In this context, detailed statements were obtained regarding the questions posed about the organization’s declarations following the Call for Peace and Democratic Society on 27 February—particularly its announcements on self-dissolution and laying down arms—as well as the implementation of the 10 March agreement in Syria.

As a result of the meeting, positive outcomes were achieved concerning social cohesion, strengthening of brotherhood, and the advancement of the process from a regional perspective.

The Commission will continue its determined and resolute stance toward fulfilling its objectives in the coming period. Respectfully announced to the public.”

SDF–Öcalan Contact

On 27 February 2025, following a call made on 22 October 2024 by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, Öcalan had called on the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve itself. Shortly thereafter, on 10 March, Mazlum Abdi—leader of the SDF, the PKK’s Syrian structure supported by the U.S.—signed an agreement with interim President Ahmed Shara, who had assumed leadership of HTS on 8 December 2024. The agreement foresaw the transfer of command of armed forces and strategic facilities to Damascus.

However, following the Druze uprising in the summer—supported by Israel—the SDF demanded changes to the 10 March agreement and objected to transferring armed forces to the Syrian army, while the PKK began claiming that the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process did not cover Syria.