“We call on all our forces that carry out military actions to stop all military actions in Turkey, in metropolises and cities,” senior PKK leader Cemil Bayik said in a statement published by the group’s media affiliate ANF.
The purpose of the ceasefire, according to Bayik, is to allow all resources to be focused on rescue efforts in southeast Turkey where a magnitude 7.5 earthquake followed a disastrous 7.8 quake on Monday. More than 18,000 people were killed in Turkey while over 3,300 were reported dead across the border in Syria. Rescue efforts are still underway and the death toll is expected to climb as rescue teams battle cold, snowy weather.
“Thousands of our people are still under the rubble. Our people need to be pulled out from under the rubble. Because it is winter, there is snow, there is rain, the weather is cold. If they are not rescued from the rubble as soon as possible, they may die from the cold. Therefore, everyone should mobilize all their resources. Everyone should mobilize to save our people,” said Bayik.
Turkey has declared a three-month state of emergency in 10 provinces affected by the quake in the southeast, home to a large Kurdish population.
Bayik said the PKK will reserve the right to defend itself if attacked and the ceasefire will stand “until the pain of our people is relieved and their wounds are healed.”
The PKK is a Kurdish armed group fighting for the increased rights of Kurds in Turkey. It is designated a terrorist organization by Ankara.
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