Erdogan celebrates disarmament as PKK ends a painful chapter for Turkey
- The disarmament process began with PKK members publicly laying down their weapons in a ceremonial act.
- Erdogan emphasized that the PKK's disarmament signals a critical shift in dealing with terrorism in Turkey.
- This disarmament can potentially mark the beginning of a new chapter in Turkish-Kurdish relations.
In Turkey, a significant development has occurred regarding the disarmament process of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has been involved in a long-standing insurgency against the Turkish government. On July 11, 2025, female and male members of the PKK in northern Iraq publicly disarmed by tossing their rifles and machine guns into a large cauldron, resulting in the weapons being set ablaze. This act represents a symbolic start to a peace process that has been sought for decades, following years of intense conflict that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands. The conflict between the PKK and Turkey began over 40 years ago, initially aimed at establishing an independent Kurdish state. However, the group gradually shifted its objective toward advocating for the rights and autonomy of Kurdish people within Turkey. Previous peace negotiations have failed, most recently in 2015. This recent gesture of laying down arms has been attributed to a directive from PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who, imprisoned since 1999, has encouraged the group to pursue disarmament and political engagement instead of armed struggle. Erdogan, addressing his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara, characterized the disarmament as a turning point in Turkey’s history. He described it as the conclusion of a 'painful chapter' marked by terrorism, which he indicated was primarily attributed to the PKK. Erdogan asserted that there had been no concessions made to influence this disarmament, claiming that it resulted from a commitment to peace rather than negotiations. As part of ongoing efforts to properly manage this disarmament process, Erdogan announced the formation of a parliamentary commission that would oversee the peace initiative. Turkish officials have not publicized specific concessions related to the PKK's decision to cease armed confrontation, but the context of this current situation reveals a mixture of hope and skepticism regarding the peace process's longevity and effectiveness.