The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced the withdrawal of all its forces from Turkish territory to northern Iraq,
in a move described as the most significant in decades in
And the course of the protracted conflict between Ankara and the banned party.
The party explained in a statement published by the Euphrates News Agency
that the decision comes “in anticipation of the possibility of unwanted clashes.”
the goal of the move
Stressing that the goal of the move is to pave the way for
a comprehensive peace process between the Kurds and the Turkish state.
This development comes after the call of the imprisoned party leader,
Abdullah Ocalan, to dissolve the party and lay down his arms.
And the transition to peaceful political action within the legal framework.
Over the past few months, a number of party members responded to Ocalan’s call
and held symbolic ceremonies in the city of Sulaymaniyah, northern Iraq.
About 30 fighters burned their weapons in a scene Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described
as “an important step toward a Türkiye free of terrorism.”
peace process
Ankara welcomed the party’s announcement, as Omar Celik, spokesman for the Justice and Development Party, said,
“The withdrawal of the party’s fighters and their announcement of new steps toward disarmament
represent a true fruit of the progress achieved in the national reconciliation process.”
In return, the party called on the Turkish authorities to issue general amnesty laws
and provide legal guarantees that would allow its fighters to engage in political life.
Stressing the need to adopt a “permanent democratic framework” to end decades of conflict.
It is noteworthy that Türkiye has formed a parliamentary committee comprising
representatives of the ruling and opposition parties to lay the legal foundations for the peace process.
The committee is also scheduled to determine the future of Ocalan,
who has been serving a life sentence on Imrali Island since 1999.
Analysts believe that these developments may pave the way for a new phase of stability in the Kurdish regions.
If both parties have the political will to end a conflict that has lasted more than four decades.
