Scepticism and cautious hope as PKK takes historic step to disband1 day ago Share Save Orla Guerin Senior international correspondent Share SaveReuters Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, called on the group to disarm in February. A spokesman for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party said it was an important step towards a country free of terror. He wants an amnesty for PKK fighters – like many here - and the release of jailed Kurdish politicians. In this majority Kurdish city in south-eastern Turkey - the de facto Kurdish capital - we found a muted response to PKK's announcement. "We want peace, but if our leader is not free, we will never be free," she said.