In a significant move toward peace, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has started disarming in Iraq’s northern Kurdish region, marking the end of a 40-year armed struggle against Turkiye that claimed over 40,000 lives.
On Friday, a small group of 20 to 30 PKK fighters gathered in Sulaimaniyah’s Jasana cave in Dukan for a symbolic ceremony, burning their weapons in a cauldron under tight security.
The event, attended by Turkish, Iraqi, and Kurdish regional officials, signifies the PKK’s May announcement to shift from armed conflict to democratic processes.
The disarmament process, expected to continue through the summer, is seen as a breakthrough for regional stability.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described it as a step toward “lasting peace in our region,” highlighting its potential to ease tensions in Turkiye, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, where the PKK has maintained a presence.
In northern Iraq, local communities devastated by cross-border fighting expressed cautious hope, with residents like Shirwan Sirkli noting the destruction of livelihoods due to the conflict.
While the ceremony is a pivotal moment, challenges remain in fully implementing the peace process.
The PKK has called for the release of its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, who remains a symbolic figure despite his confinement since 1999.
The pro-Kurdish DEM Party and Turkish media are closely monitoring the process, which involves coordination between Turkiye, Iraq, and the Kurdish regional government, as further phases are planned.