PKK Begins Disarmament in Iraq: A Step Toward Peace with Turkey

SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq (AP) — In a significant development towards peace, fighters of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a Kurdish militant group, commenced laying down their arms during a symbolic ceremony on July 11, 2025, in northern Iraq. This event marks the first tangible action in a long-anticipated disarmament initiative following decades of armed conflict with Turkey. The PKK, which has engaged in an insurgency against Turkey since 1984, announced in May its decision to disband and end hostilities, following a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan.

Öcalan, who has been incarcerated since 1999, urged PKK members to formally renounce violence and pursue political solutions. In a video message broadcast earlier this week, he stated, "I believe in the power of politics and social peace, not weapons." During the ceremony, referred to as the “Peace and Democratic Society Group,” dozens of fighters symbolically disarmed, expressing their commitment to the peace process.

The disarmament ceremony took place in the mountainous region outside Sulaymaniyah, attended by representatives from the Turkish intelligence service and various Kurdish political entities. An Iraqi Kurdish political official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, confirmed participation from about 30 fighters. The state-run Iraqi News Agency reported that the disarmament will occur in stages, aiming for completion by September 2025.

Turkey's Parliament Speaker, Numan Kurtulmus, acknowledged the progress but emphasized that the process is far from finished. "There’s still a long way to go in collecting many more weapons," he stated. The Turkish government has indicated its willingness to oversee the disarmament process, with plans to establish a parliamentary commission dedicated to this effort.

In Turkey, Devlet Bahceli, an ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and a pivotal figure in initiating the peace process, welcomed the disarmament as a historical turning point. He characterized the event as a signal of the end of a dark era, further noting, "These are exceptionally important days for both Turkey and our region."

The PKK's conflict with Turkey, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives, initially sought to establish an independent Kurdish state but has since shifted towards demands for greater autonomy and rights for Kurds. This latest peace initiative follows a series of failed negotiations, the most recent of which collapsed in 2015, resulting in a resurgence of violence.

The disarmament process, if successful, could pave the way for enhanced political participation of former PKK members and the reintegration of fighters into society. Kurdish officials have expressed hope that the peace process will also allow displaced individuals to return home, signaling a potential end to years of conflict and instability.

The PKK has long maintained a presence in northern Iraq, where Turkish military operations have been ongoing. The Iraqi government has recently taken steps to ban the PKK, which has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. In light of these developments, the peace process represents a critical juncture for both Kurdish and Turkish populations, with the potential for lasting change in the region's political landscape.