 The stated purpose of the organizational change was to leave behind nationalistic and state-building goals, in favor of creating a political structure to work within the existing nation-states.Through further internal conflict during this period, it is reported that 1500 militants left the organization, along with many of the leading reformists, including Nizamettin Taş and Abdullah Öcalan's younger brother Osman Öcalan

Kongra-Gel called off the cease-fire at the start of June 2004, saying Turkish security forces had refused to respect the truce.Turkish security forces were increasingly involved in clashes with Kurdish separatist fighters.