2025-07-11T08:34:22Z

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In a significant development in the long-standing conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), militant fighters have commenced the process of disarming near the city of Sulaymaniyah in northern Iraq. This disarmament ceremony, which took place on Friday, symbolizes a transition for the PKK, moving from armed insurgency to a focus on democratic politics. The event represents a crucial step in an effort to finally resolve one of the region's most enduring conflicts.

During the ceremony, an Agence France-Presse (AFP) correspondent reported that a total of 30 PKK fighters participated, among whom were four commanders. These fighters destroyed their weapons in a symbolic act within a cave in the rugged mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan. The PKK's decision to begin disarmament is part of a larger strategy that was initiated when the group announced its dissolution in May, opting to pursue a democratic framework to advocate for the rights of Kurds. This shift aligns with the historical plea of Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, who has been imprisoned in Turkey since 1999.

However, the atmosphere surrounding the ceremony was tense. Just hours before the event, officials reported that two drones were shot down near Kurdish peshmerga bases, one situated in Sulaymaniyah and the other farther west in Kirkuk. Fortunately, no casualties were reported from these incidents, but they underscored the ongoing volatility in the region as Kurdish forces remain involved in the complex dynamics of Iraqi politics.

The PKK has a long and turbulent history, having been founded in the late 1970s by Abdullah Ocalan. In 1984, it began a military campaign against the Turkish government, leading to a violent conflict that has claimed over 40,000 lives over the decades. The group has been labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, which complicates their efforts for recognition and rights for the Kurdish peoples.

This disarmament ceremony is not merely an act of surrender; it reflects a profound shift in strategy and ideology for the PKK, aiming to leave behind its violent past and embrace a more peaceful approach to achieving political objectives.