Museher Ulker has not seen her son Zeki since he joined the PKK, a designated terrorist organization, in 2012 as a teenager. Like many Kurdish families, she longs for his return and hopes for peace.
The PKK, which began its armed struggle against Turkey in 1984 in response to Kurdish repression, has caused over 40,000 deaths and extended its influence into neighboring countries.
In May, the group announced plans to disband, following a call from its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the move, suggesting it could usher in a new era of democracy and stability.
In Diyarbakir, a city with a large Kurdish population, people expressed cautious optimism but also deep skepticism, shaped by past failed peace efforts. Turkish citizens, too, remain wary, especially those who lost loved ones in the conflict, like Aysel Gurel, whose son died in a PKK attack.
(This video summary was created using AI. A journalist edited it before publication.)