The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been fighting in an insurgency in Turkey since 1984, on Saturday unilaterally declared a ceasefire and said it would heed its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan's call to disarm.
Ocalan made a historic call for the group to lay down arms and dissolve itself on Thursday, a move that could reshape one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East and have ramifications across the region.
In a statement carried by the PKK-affiliated Firat news agency, the group said it hoped that Turkey would release Ocalan from prison, where he has been held in isolation in 1999, so that he can lead the process of disarmament. The necessary political and democratic conditions need to be in place for the process to succeed, it added.
"We declare a ceasefire effective today to pave the way for the implementation of leader Apo's call for peace and a democratic society," the group said, using the nickname given to Ocalan by his supporters. "None of our forces will take armed action unless attacked."
"A secure environment must be established, and for the success of the congress, leader Apo must personally guide and conduct it."
Disarmament and an effective ceasefire could end the PKK's 40-year insurgency with the Turkish state that has killed tens of thousands of people. The group is designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the US and the EU.
"The efforts for a terror-free Turkey have entered a new phase as of yesterday," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech in Istanbul, in his first comments after Ocalan's call.
"We have the opportunity to take a historic step on the path to the goal of tearing down the wall of terror."
Mr Erdogan endorsed a surprise call in October by the leader of the nationalist MHP party, Devlet Bahceli, for Ocalan to work towards a peace agreement, but has continued to remove Kurdish mayors on terrorism-related charges
A spokesman for his ruling AK Party, Omer Celik, had previously stated that all Kurdish militant groups in Iraq and Syria must lay down their weapons. However, the leader of the US-backed and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, has said Ocalan's call does not apply to them. Kurdish armed groups in Syria are also under pressure to integrate into the national army being created by the new authorities in Damascus following the overthrow of Bashar Al Assad.
The PKK are now largely confined to the Qandil mountains in northern Iraq, where they are not welcomed by the local Kurdish authorities, and may be left with little option but to disarm.
A political resolution has been close before, when Mr Erdogan, prime minister at the time, and Ocalan almost reached an agreement in 2015. Talks collapsed and a period of bloody fighting followed.
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-AMG C63 S Cabriolet
Price, base: Dh429,090
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission Seven-speed automatic
Power 510hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque 700Nm @ 1,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.2L / 100km
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- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
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- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
From exhibitions to the battlefield
In 2016, the Shaded Dome was awarded with the 'De Vernufteling' people's choice award, an annual prize by the Dutch Association of Consulting Engineers and the Royal Netherlands Society of Engineers for the most innovative project by a Dutch engineering firm.
It was assigned by the Dutch Ministry of Defence to modify the Shaded Dome to make it suitable for ballistic protection. Royal HaskoningDHV, one of the companies which designed the dome, is an independent international engineering and project management consultancy, leading the way in sustainable development and innovation.
It is driving positive change through innovation and technology, helping use resources more efficiently.
It aims to minimise the impact on the environment by leading by example in its projects in sustainable development and innovation, to become part of the solution to a more sustainable society now and into the future.
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Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
