The Spanish model "is the one we are looking for", Murat Karayilan said in an interview with Spanish daily El Mundo, pointing to the example of Catalonia, which has its own police force and parliament.

"If we obtain a Catalonia(-style) autonomy, we would lay down our weapons and hand them over to the United Nations," said Karayilan.

The PKK, which is classified as a terrorist group by Ankara and many Western governments, announced a truce in mid-August for Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting, and in the lead up to Sunday's constitutional referendum.

It is due to expire on September 20, but "if the attacks and detentions of Kurds continue, we must change strategy", Karayilan said.

The PKK took up arms in 1984, sparking a conflict that has claimed some 45,000 lives.