Imminent Disarmament Planned for Turkey, Aiming at Terror-free Country
In a significant development, the long-awaited disarmament of the PKK terrorist group is imminent, with the process expected to begin within days. This milestone comes after a ceasefire declared by the PKK in March 2025 and their decision to disband and disarm, following calls from their imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan.
High-level coordination is underway between Türkiye, Iraq, and the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) to supervise the disarmament. Turkish intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın has been active in facilitating this process, with upcoming meetings in Baghdad to finalize logistics such as where and when weapons will be surrendered and destroyed.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emphasized that this disarmament will mark a new era for Türkiye in terms of security, democracy, and development. The initiative is seen as a critical step toward ending decades of bloodshed that have severely impacted Türkiye’s southeastern regions economically and compromised border security, particularly with the rise of the PKK’s Syria wing during the Syrian civil war.
The political consensus is broad, with most of the Turkish Parliament supporting the peace and disarmament process. However, some far-right factions criticize the move as a concession to terrorism. Authorities maintain a firm stance that any PKK members surrendering will be subject to existing laws, with leniency for those uninvolved in violence, while senior cadres will likely relocate abroad after dissolution.
Ending one of Türkiye’s longest-running armed conflicts will significantly reduce violence and enhance border security. The initiative involves political dialogue, including scheduled meetings between President Erdoğan and Kurdish-oriented parties like the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), signaling progress toward inclusive political solutions.
With violence reduced, especially in southeastern regions historically affected by counterterrorism operations, economic growth and stability are expected to improve substantially. The disarmament is expected to pave the way for a more peaceful and prosperous Türkiye, marking what could be a historic turning point in resolving a more than 40-year conflict.
- The disarmament of the PKK terrorist group in Istanbul could signal a new era for Turkey, thanks to high-level coordination with Iraq and the Kurdish Regional Government.
- In Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan believes this disarmament will significantly enhance Turkey's security, democracy, and development.
- On the international stage, this disarmament is a critical step towards ending decades of war-and-conflicts in Türkiye's southeastern regions, which have had severe economic impacts and compromised border security, especially with the rise of the PKK's Syria wing during the Syrian civil war.
- In Turkey's General News and Crime-and-Justice sections, authorities have maintained a firm stance that any PKK members surrendering will be subject to existing laws, with leniency for those uninvolved in violence, while senior cadres will likely relocate abroad after dissolution.
