PKK begins disarmament in peace gesture
Fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) conducted a symbolic disarmament ceremony, marking the beginning of a process aimed at ending a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. The event, held in northern Iraq, featured approximately 30 PKK militants burning their weapons, including rifles and a rocket-propelled grenade launcher, in front of Kurdish, Iraqi, and Turkish officials. PKK co-chairperson Beze Hozat stated that the destruction of their arms was a gesture of goodwill and determination.
The PKK has been engaged in a separatist struggle against the Turkish state since 1984 and decided to disband and disarm following a public call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan. A senior Turkish official described the arms handover as an "irreversible turning point" in the peace process, which has seen over 40,000 lives lost and has created significant social and political divisions in Turkey.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope that the PKK's dissolution would enhance national security and regional stability. He emphasized the importance of achieving lasting peace in the region. The disarmament ceremony was attended by various officials and civil society representatives, indicating broad support for a peaceful transition.
This disarmament is part of a multi-phase peace plan expected to be fully implemented by September, which aims to reintegrate former fighters into Turkish society, particularly in the predominantly Kurdish southeast. However, challenges remain, including the need for reciprocal actions from Ankara, legal protections for Kurdish political participation, and extending disarmament to affiliated forces in Syria. While Turkish authorities hailed this as a historic step toward a "terror-free Turkey," some skeptics caution that internal divisions within the PKK and the broader political climate in Turkey could impede long-term success.
