Fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) officially began disarming on the morning of Friday, July 11, in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, following the group’s announcement of an end to its armed struggle against Turkey.
The “Peace and Democratic Society Group,” described as the PKK’s first faction, declared that it had destroyed its weapons “of its own free will” during a disarmament ceremony held in a cave in Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah province. The move came in response to a call from the PKK’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan.
According to the Kurdish outlet “Rudaw,” 30 PKK fighters laid down their weapons, which included Kalashnikov rifles, PKC machine guns, sniper rifles, and RPGs.
The disarmament ceremony marks a pivotal moment in the PKK’s shift from armed rebellion to democratic politics, as part of broader efforts to end one of the region’s longest-running conflicts, which began in 1984.
PKK Destroys Its Weapons in Sulaymaniyah Governorate, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – July 11, 2025 (Al Thamina TV)
In a statement, the Peace and Democratic Society Group expressed its “goodwill” and commitment to pursuing “freedom, democracy, and socialism through democratic politics and legal means.”
The statement cited Öcalan’s recent calls for disarmament—one delivered on June 19 and published on July 9, and another from February 27—along with resolutions passed during the PKK’s 12th Congress held in May.
The group reaffirmed its full support for Öcalan’s declaration: “I believe in the power of politics and societal peace, not in the power of arms. I urge you to apply this principle in practice.” It added that it was proud to be implementing this “historic principle.”
On July 9, Öcalan, who has been imprisoned in Turkey for around 25 years, declared the armed struggle against the Turkish state officially over and called for a transition to democratic politics.
His remarks were made in a video recording from June, published by the Euphrates News Agency on July 9.
Öcalan explained that a broad, responsible committee would be formed within the Turkish parliament to facilitate voluntary disarmament. He said this mechanism would advance the peace process, bring a voluntary end to armed conflict, and begin a new phase of political engagement.
The PKK’s 12th Congress reportedly endorsed the transition to politics, which Öcalan described as a “historic response.” He called on supporters to demonstrate goodwill and take practical steps forward.
He also noted that the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party (DEM) would operate within the Turkish parliament and assume responsibility for the political transition.
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced its disarmament and dissolution in response to the appeal of its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in Turkey for nearly 25 years.
PKK Burns Its Weapons in “End of Struggle” Ceremony Enab Baladi.
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