Rhino: Agencies – Increased turmoil in the Middle East and changing political equations have led to the first attempt in 10 years to end a 40-year conflict between Turkey and Kurdish militants, but the chances of success are uncertain as Ankara has given no indication of what such a move would entail.

Several politicians and analysts told Reuters that a peace proposal from a close ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed hope but also raised questions about the approach Erdogan might take to achieve it.

Underscoring how difficult it will be to resume peace talks after the last effort between Turkey and the PKK between 2013 and 2015, the PKK claimed responsibility for an armed attack that killed five in Ankara last week.

But peace would bring significant gains for Turkey, easing the burden on its security forces, boosting the economy in the country’s predominantly Kurdish southeast and easing social tensions.

Many Kurds hope that any peace deal will lead to democratic reforms, promote the use of the Kurdish language and support their cultural rights, steps that are likely to be applauded by Turkey’s Western allies.