The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has commenced symbolic disarmament in Iraq's northern Kurdish region, marking the conclusion of a four-decade armed struggle against Turkiye. A ceremony involved 20 to 30 fighters destroying their weapons without surrendering to authorities. Turkish President Erdogan welcomed the disarmament, highlighting its significance for Turkey and the region. This follows the PKK's May announcement to abandon armed struggle. Abdullah Ocalan, the group's leader, referred to this moment as a historic gain and a transition towards democratic politics while still being a key figure despite his imprisonment.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has begun the first steps towards disarmament, closing a chapter on a four-decade armed campaign against the Turkish state in a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has welcomed the development, declaring it as totally ripping off and throwing away the bloody shackles that were put on our country's legs.
The move follows an announcement in May by the PKK that it would abandon its armed struggle, marking a transition to democratic politics.
Abdullah Ocalan, the PKK's imprisoned leader, described the moment as a voluntary transition from the phase of armed conflict to the phase of democratic politics and law.
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