PKK ends armed insurgency with disarmament ceremony, beginning peaceful political movement in Iraqi Kurdistan. (Photo by Ahmad Al-Rubaye AFP/File
Fighters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) are expected to formally lay down their arms at a disarmament ceremony in northeastern Iraqi Kurdistan, signaling the end of a decades-long armed conflict with the Turkish state.
The event, scheduled to take place near the city of Sulaimaniyah, comes just two months after the group publicly announced the cessation of its insurgency.
PKK disarmament marks shift from conflict to politics
The PKK, which began its armed campaign in 1984, said in May it would transition from armed resistance to political engagement in line with the ideology of its founder, Abdullah Ocalan.
EPICSTORIAN — The group’s historic decision to abandon violence is viewed as a significant step in efforts to secure long-term peace and improve Kurdish representation within Turkey’s political framework.
The PKK’s new strategy follows a decades-long conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives and contributed to instability across southeastern Turkey and neighboring regions. The organization said it would now pursue a “democratic struggle” to defend Kurdish minority rights within the framework of peaceful political participation.
Turkey Kurdish conflict nears political resolution
The armed struggle, once rooted in calls for Kurdish autonomy, has gradually lost momentum in recent years. The PKK’s statement in May referenced a call from Ocalan, who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999, urging the group to dissolve militarily and adopt nonviolent methods. The upcoming disarmament event is seen as the implementation of that directive.
According to reports, the ceremony will take place at an undisclosed location in Iraqi Kurdistan, with observers from regional political groups expected to attend. While the full details remain confidential, the symbolism of the move has drawn attention across the region.
Kurdish insurgency ends as political roadmap takes shape
Kurdish political figures in Iraq and Turkey cautiously welcomed the development, noting its potential to ease tensions that have persisted for generations. Analysts say the group’s political reinvention may open doors to deeper discussions about Kurdish rights, cultural recognition, and integration into Turkey’s democratic institutions.
The longstanding tensions between Ankara and Kurdish groups have shaped national security policy and regional alliances. With the PKK’s disarmament, observers expect new efforts to emerge focused on legal reform, representation, and conflict resolution without resorting to violence.
PKK transition receives mixed response
While many view the ceremony as a hopeful milestone, some Turkish officials remain skeptical, emphasizing the importance of verifiable disarmament and continued nonviolent conduct. However, PKK representatives have maintained that their transformation is permanent and aligned with democratic values.
“It is not merely a ceasefire — it is the conclusion of a historic era,” a Kurdish official said, echoing the sentiments of many in the region who see the shift as a chance to reshape political dialogue and rebuild communities impacted by the conflict.
