Kurdish militants who have waged a 40-year insurgency in Turkey declared a ceasefire on Saturday in what could mark a significant boost to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government, two days after their imprisoned leader called for the group to disarm.

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While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has acknowledged the ceasefire as a potential step toward peace, he has also warned that military operations against the PKK will resume if disarmament efforts falter.

Imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan has called on his militant group to lay down its arms and dissolve as part of a bid to end a four-decade long conflict.

A separatist Kurdish group said it will implement a ceasefire from Saturday, in response to a call by its imprisoned leader to lay down arms and work toward ending a 40-year war for autonomy against Turkey.

Strategic Research Center warns that while most Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters are likely to disarm if a peace agreement with Turkey comes to fruition, some may break away and continue the group's armed struggle.

The PKK leader’s calls for the group to disarm and dissolve is a step towards ending a 40-year conflict with the Turkish state.