Historic Disarmament Ceremony Marks New Hope in Turkey-Kurd Conflict**

Fri Oct 24 2025 12:06:42 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a pivotal moment following 40 years of armed conflict, the Kurdish PKK plans a symbolic disarmament ceremony, signaling a potential end to hostilities with Turkey.**

After decades of violence that claimed 40,000 lives, the PKK is preparing to lay down arms in a ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan, with the objective of transitioning to democratic politics and healing the long-standing divide with Turkey. The move is advocated by the PKK’s leader Abdullah Ocalan, who remains a significant figure for many Kurds despite being imprisoned for over two decades.**

The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), which has engaged in a four-decade-long armed conflict with the Turkish state, is set to undertake a significant step towards peace by laying down its arms. This marked disarmament ceremony will occur in Iraqi Kurdistan, under strict security measures, as a precursor to a larger demilitarization process planned throughout the summer.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has praised the disarmament announcement, describing it as a crucial moment for breaking what he terms the "bloody shackles" that have hindered Turkey’s progress. The long-standing conflict, which has resulted in approximately 40,000 deaths, saw the PKK designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, the UK, and the US.

The initial disarmament will include a symbolic surrender of weapons by a small number of PKK members near the city of Suleymaniyah, with the precise location remaining undisclosed for safety reasons. Key figures from Turkey's pro-Kurdish opposition Democratic Party are expected to attend the event, although significant representation from other major political groups may be lacking.

Abdullah Ocalan, the founder of the PKK who has been imprisoned since 1999, recently signaled a shift in strategy, advocating for a transition from armed conflict to political representation and legal processes. He had previously declared a ceasefire in 2013 and urged PKK members to withdraw from Turkish territory. However, a truce attempted in 2015 marked a downward spiral into renewed violence.

The PKK emerged in 1984 initially demanding an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its demands towards greater autonomy and rights for the Kurdish population. Ocalan’s recent calls for disarmament reflect a broader recognition that political avenues for addressing Kurdish grievances are now viable, possibly influenced by changing dynamics within the Turkish government and shifting public sentiment.

Following the disarmament ceremony, discussions within Turkey's parliament are anticipated, where a commission will assess the next steps in this delicate peace process. President Erdogan’s government is reportedly considering reviewing the conditions of Ocalan's imprisonment in light of the progress made.

While the potential return to a more peaceful cohabitation between Kurds and the Turkish state appears more attainable than previous years, it remains uncertain how this will affect the dynamic within Turkey's political landscape, especially considering Erdogan’s efforts toward constitutional changes that could tangentially impact the ongoing peace negotiations.