Turkey deliberates on subsequent actions following PKK disbandment, not dialogue: Speaker of Parliament
Terror-Free Turkey Initiative Gains Momentum
Turkey is making significant strides in its efforts to establish a "terror-free Turkey," following the disarmament and dissolution of the PKK terrorist group. The initiative, now in its third stage, has marked a historic shift in the country's counterterrorism approach, moving from military conflict to political and legal resolution.
The PKK, a terrorist organization designated by Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union, announced its dissolution at its 12th Party Congress in May. Since then, PKK fighters have begun burning weapons and evacuating major camps in northern Iraq, with Qandil, the PKK's headquarters, being a critical milestone.
The Turkish government is actively supervising this process, ensuring compliance and successful completion. A parliamentary committee has been established to finalize a legal framework to support the initiative, including a possible new law for the dissolution of terrorist organizations.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has emphasized this initiative as a historic opportunity to eradicate terrorism and build a shared future across Turkey's diverse society. He has called on all political parties to support the initiative and avoid political maximalism.
The governing AK Party remains a central driver of the process, aiming at politically and socially integrating former PKK members. The first meeting of the National Solidarity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Committee was held at the Turkish parliament this week, marking the beginning of this integration process.
However, concerns surrounding the process have been acknowledged by parliament speaker Kurtulmuş. He clarified that the initiative is not a negotiation process with the PKK, but rather about identifying steps that can be taken under the authority and will of the General Assembly.
This initiative signals a significant step towards peace and the end of PKK terrorism in Turkey by late 2025. Key implications for the PKK include official dissolution and disarmament, evacuation of major camps, potential reintegration into Turkish political and social life, and oversight by Turkish officials.
President Erdoğan announced the beginning of a "new chapter" in the country's history on July 12, following the PKK's decision to lay down arms. The terror-free Turkey initiative has moved from political discourse to active disarmament and anticipated reintegration, marking a potentially historic step towards peace.
[1] BBC News. (2025). Turkey's PKK militants begin disarmament as part of peace deal. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57514064
[2] Al Jazeera. (2025). Turkey's PKK disarmament: What's next for the Kurdish militant group? [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/7/13/turkeys-pkk-disarmament-whats-next-for-the-kurdish-militant-group
[3] Reuters. (2025). Turkey's Erdogan says PKK disarmament marks start of new chapter in country's history. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkeys-erdogan-says-pkk-disarmament-marks-start-new-chapter-countrys-history-2025-07-12/
[4] Anadolu Agency. (2025). Turkey's PKK camps in northern Iraq to be evacuated by end of 2025, says official. [online] Available at: https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-s-pkk-camps-in-northern-iraq-to-be-evacuated-by-end-of-2025-says-official/2174372
- As the "Terror-Free Turkey Initiative" gains momentum, policy and legislation are being introduced to address war-and-conflicts and terrorism, with a parliamentary committee finalizing a legal framework to support the initiative, including a possible new law for the dissolution of terrorist organizations.
- Amidst general-news coverage of the disarmament and dissolution of the PKK, politics in Turkey is shifting from a focus on military conflicts towards political and legal resolution, as the initiative moves from military action to reintegrating former PKK members into Turkish political and social life.
