Former Police Chief Saral: Even if Öcalan says 'We are laying down arms,' he cannot succeed; those who want to continue the armed struggle are in the majority

On October 23, a terrorist attack was carried out on TUSAŞ facilities in Kahramankazan, Ankara, leaving 5 people dead and 22 injured.

While politicians have been making successive statements following the terrorist attack, some have criticized the solution process. Another assessment came from Cevdet Saral, who served as the Ankara Police Chief during the period when PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was brought to the country from Kenya.

Saral, who served as the Head of the Counter-Terrorism Department of the General Directorate of Security and was the Ankara Police Chief when PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan was brought to the country from Kenya, stated;

"The action was most likely carried out on the orders of the wing of the terrorist organization that is against laying down arms and rejects a solution," Saral said, expressing his view and mentioning the existence of a high-level group within the organization that is opposed to Öcalan getting involved following the move by MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli. Saral added, "Even if Öcalan were to come out today and say 'We are laying down arms' in line with the call from MHP leader Bahçeli, he would not be able to succeed."

Speaking to Emin Özgönül from Sözcü, Cevdet Saral noted the following:

"The separatist organization is not in favor of laying down arms before reaching its ultimate goal, that is, a Kurdish state from which they would carve out territory from Turkey; they have been carrying out actions with this dream for years. Even if Öcalan were to come out today and say 'We are laying down arms' in line with the call from MHP leader Bahçeli, he would not be able to succeed. Those who want to continue the armed struggle in the organization's mountain cadre are in the majority.

Following the move by Devlet Bahçeli, a high-level group within the organization that is opposed to Öcalan getting involved may have activated a sleeper cell and brought the action forward. It is also necessary to take into account that the President was abroad at the BRICS summit during the incident. BRICS was established by countries that are against the Western concept. The action may also have been outsourced to the PKK as a subcontractor."

News Source: 12punto