PKK Withdraws from Turkey in Historic Peace Move

PKK Militants Complete Withdrawal from Turkish Territory

In a landmark development for Middle Eastern peace efforts, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has announced the complete withdrawal of all its forces from Turkey to northern Iraq, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing peace process with Ankara. This historic move follows the PKK's formal renunciation of armed struggle in May 2025 after nearly four decades of conflict that has claimed approximately 40,000 lives.

Ceremonial Announcement in Qandil Mountains

The withdrawal was formally announced during a ceremony held in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq, where 25 PKK fighters (including 8 women) were shown to have already arrived from Turkey. 'We are on our way to implement leader Öcalan's peace project,' a PKK spokesperson told Reuters. 'Therefore, the other party, Turkey, must implement political changes and create a suitable environment to execute the project.'

From Armed Struggle to Political Engagement

The PKK, founded in 1978, initially sought an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its demands to autonomy and increased political rights for Kurds within Turkey. The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, the European Union, and several other countries. However, recent developments suggest a fundamental transformation in the organization's approach.

'The existence of Kurds is recognized and the basic goal of the PKK is achieved,' said imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in a rare video appearance this summer after 20 years of isolation. 'Therefore, we can also distance ourselves from the military strategy.'

Turkish Response and Political Implications

Turkish officials have welcomed the withdrawal as concrete progress in their anti-terror efforts. A spokesperson for the ruling AK Party stated on X: 'By ensuring that the disarmament and dissolution process can continue uninterrupted, the objectives can be achieved.' He referred to the goal of making Turkey "terror-free."

The peace process gained momentum in late 2024 when Nationalist Movement Party leader Devlet Bahçeli surprisingly invited Öcalan to speak in parliament. This led to multiple visits by delegations from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party to Öcalan in İmralı prison, where he has been imprisoned since 1999.

Regional Impact and Future Prospects

Turkish correspondent Gülsah Ercetin notes: 'Since the launch of negotiations, there have been critical voices among some Turkish nationalists and thinkers alongside supporters. The criticism is that these negotiations could lead to more division in the country.'

The withdrawal represents the most significant development since the PKK's symbolic weapons destruction ceremony in July 2025, which Turkey hailed as an "irreversible turning point." A cross-party parliamentary commission has been established to create the legal framework for the peace process, which also involves determining Öcalan's fate.

As one PKK fighter expressed during the withdrawal ceremony: 'We want to work toward a free, democratic and brotherly life with Turkey.' This sentiment reflects the potential for a new chapter in Turkish-Kurdish relations, though significant challenges remain in translating military withdrawal into lasting political solutions.