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Kurdish PKK withdraws all forces from Turkiye in move toward peace
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced the withdrawal of all its fighters from Turkiye, relocating them to northern Iraq in a historic step toward ending decades of armed conflict with the Turkish state.
The move is part of the PKK’s broader plan to dissolve itself and abandon its armed struggle. In a statement, the group described the withdrawal as the first step in creating a “terrorism-free Turkiye,” a process aimed at avoiding clashes or provocations that could hinder ongoing political negotiations.
The decision follows directives from the PKK’s imprisoned founder, Abdullah Öcalan, and resolutions passed at the group’s 12th congress. Some of its armed units are already stationed in the “Media Defense Zones” in Iraq’s Qandil Mountains, with further measures being taken to ensure stability along Turkiye’s borders.
This development occurs as a delegation from the Kurdish DEM Party prepares to meet Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to advance discussions on a peaceful resolution to the Kurdish issue. DEM representatives have held multiple meetings with Öcalan to address political solutions and the future of negotiations.
The withdrawal is the latest phase of a process initiated last year, when Öcalan and Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party, held discussions advocating for a peaceful, democratic society in Turkiye. In February, Öcalan called for the PKK’s complete disbandment, urging members to abandon arms and transition to political activism.
In May, the PKK formally announced its plans to dissolve and end its armed struggle, signaling the end of a violent conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives over four decades while placing immense social and economic strain on the region.
The Turkish government has welcomed the PKK’s decision, viewing it as a step toward establishing a legal framework for disarming the group and ensuring long-term security. This development also aligns with broader changes in the Middle East, where diplomatic and political shifts are reshaping the region’s stability.
