In a landmark development after four decades of armed struggle, the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is set to begin disarming in a symbolic ceremony on Friday in Iraqi Kurdistan. The event marks what many are calling the most promising step yet towards ending one of the region’s longest and deadliest insurgencies.
The disarmament process, which will unfold under heavy security near Suleymaniyah, is expected to continue throughout the summer. The move follows a direct appeal by the PKK’s imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, who called for the group’s dissolution and a shift from armed resistance to democratic politics.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the step as “ripping off the bloody shackles” that have bound Turkey for decades. Since 1984, the PKK’s insurgency for Kurdish autonomy has claimed over 40,000 lives. The group is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom.
The decision to disarm stems from renewed backchannel talks and growing political momentum, including a call last year by nationalist leader Devlet Bahceli for a “terror-free Turkey.” In February, two pro-Kurdish Dem Party lawmakers read Ocalan’s message from his island prison, urging the PKK to lay down arms, stating that democratic space had opened for Kurdish rights through peaceful means.
The initial disarmament ceremony will involve a small group of PKK fighters surrendering their weapons before returning to their camps. Full-scale disarmament will be coordinated with the Turkish, Iraqi, and Kurdish regional governments.
Ocalan, appearing on video for the first time in over two decades, reinforced his message: “I believe in politics and peace, not weapons.” His rare appearance and influence among Kurds underscore his pivotal role in the process, though his potential release remains uncertain.
While Turkey’s parliament will now form a commission to guide the next phase, no immediate legislative actions are expected until after the summer recess. Political observers also speculate that the peace process could impact constitutional reforms, potentially paving the way for Erdogan’s re-election bid in 2028.
The PKK’s historic decision has the potential to reshape not just Turkey’s internal dynamics but also regional stability in Iraq, Syria, and Iran, where Kurdish populations have long sought recognition and rights.
