Turkey announces $14bn development plan for Kurdish region

Ankara hopes to end decadeslong conflict with PKK in country's southeast

20241229 Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan

Supporters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party display flags with a portrait of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 17. © Reuters

December 29, 2024 21:53 JST

SANLIURFA, Turkey (Reuters) -- Turkey announced on Sunday a $14 billion regional development plan that aims to reduce the economic gap between its mainly Kurdish southeast region and the rest of the country.

The announcement comes amid increased hopes for an end to a decadeslong insurgency waged by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in southeast Turkey as well as the advent of a new leadership in neighbouring Syria with cordial ties to Ankara.