In a momentous development marking a turning point in Türkiye’s decades-long struggle against terrorism, the PKK, a designated terrorist organization, has begun laying down arms. The move comes as part of the “Terror-Free Türkiye” initiative, spearheaded by a unified political front and welcomed across the country.
The disarmament process was set into motion following a political consensus initiated by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli and supported by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. After years of conflict, Türkiye is now witnessing the first tangible steps toward peace on the ground.
On Wednesday, a group of 30 PKK members, including 15 women, emerged from a cave in the Surdash region of Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah province and surrendered their weapons. In a symbolic gesture, the militants threw their firearms into a large cauldron filled with fire, effectively rendering them unusable.
The disarmament ceremony was observed by a wide array of figures, including representatives from Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Iraqi officials, members of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), security forces, civil society representatives, and journalists. A senior PKK member read a message in both Turkish and Kurdish signaling the group’s commitment to the process.
According to sources involved in the negotiations, the full disarmament of the organization is expected to be completed by the end of September.
A Political Framework Behind the Process
The road to this historic milestone has been paved with a series of political talks and behind-the-scenes diplomacy. In late 2024, the Turkish Ministry of Justice granted permission for a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party to visit İmralı Island, where the PKK’s imprisoned leader is held. Three separate visits in December, January, and February helped facilitate a dialogue that led to the leader’s public call for the PKK to dissolve itself.
On April 10, President Erdoğan met with DEM Party MPs Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder at the Presidential Complex, signaling a critical shift in engagement strategy. Önder, a key figure in the peace process, passed away on May 3 due to a heart condition. His death was widely mourned across the political spectrum, with MHP leader Bahçeli making his first public appearance in three months to attend the memorial.
Between May 5–7, the PKK convened a congress and announced on May 12 that it would disband and relinquish its armed struggle. The decision was followed closely by state institutions and security services to ensure the integrity of the process.
Further visits by the DEM Party to İmralı occurred on May 18 and July 6, reinforcing communication lines. Most recently, President Erdoğan hosted DEM Party leaders Buldan and Mithat Sancar at the Presidential Complex on July 7 to assess the progress of the initiative.
Erdoğan and Bahçeli Reaffirm Commitment
On July 10, President Erdoğan met again with MHP leader Bahçeli to evaluate the situation and underline their shared vision of a peaceful and united Türkiye. The meeting signified the culmination of months of strategic coordination aimed at bringing an end to nearly 50 years of armed conflict.
With the first group of militants disarmed and further steps planned in the coming weeks, Türkiye appears poised to close a dark chapter in its modern history. The “Terror-Free Türkiye” vision is no longer a distant hope but an unfolding reality.
