PKK Dissolution

PKK Burns Weapons: “Abandoning Armed Struggle”

Members of the Kurdish militia PKK have burned their weapons at a ceremony in northern Iraq, Sky News reports.

The group has promised to lay down its arms and now aims to take its place in the Turkish democratic system, according to AFP.

– A sweeping decision has been made to abandon the armed struggle and continue fighting for democracy through legal democratic means, an anonymous PKK commander told the news agency.

However, she points out that Turkey still needs to take steps to open its democratic system to the PKK.
 

PKK Lays Down Weapons During Ceremony in Iraq

The Kurdish militia PKK, the Kurdistan Workers' Party, is holding a disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq today, several media outlets report. About 20 members are to lay down their arms, following the terrorist movement's decision to disband in May.

The ceremony marks the formal transition from armed to political struggle for a Kurdish state, according to a statement from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan earlier this week.

PKK Dissolution – It's About Time 

• In February 2025, the PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan called on the organization to lay down its arms and disband after four decades of conflict with Turkey.
• The PKK declared an immediate ceasefire with Turkey in March 2025, while demanding that Öcalan attend the organization's congress.
• In May 2025, the PKK decided at a congress to disband the organization and end its armed struggle, which was confirmed in an official statement.
• The Turkish government and President Erdogan welcomed the decision, describing it as a historic opportunity, while the AKP stressed that the process would be closely monitored.