The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced on October 26, 2025, that all its armed forces have begun withdrawing from Turkey and relocating to northern Iraq. The move is part of the organization’s plan to end its armed struggle and participate in democratic politics.
The PKK, which has waged an armed insurgency against Turkey since 1984, had announced in May that it would lay down arms and dissolve the organization. The conflict has claimed nearly 40,000 lives over the past four decades. In July, the group burned some of its weapons to demonstrate its commitment to the peace process.
At a ceremony held in the Qandil Mountains of northern Iraq, PKK spokesperson Zagros Hewa said that the withdrawal would pave the way for implementing the peace plan proposed by the group’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan. He emphasized that Turkey needs to pass political reforms to enable the PKK’s participation in democratic politics. Around two dozen PKK fighters attended the ceremony, where a large portrait of Öcalan was prominently displayed.
Turkish presidential spokesperson Burhanettin Duran welcomed the announcement, describing it as a positive step and stating that the government is committed to taking serious measures to establish lasting peace and security.
According to experts, the PKK’s move could influence Turkey’s internal politics as well as the regional landscape, particularly concerning Syrian Kurdish forces, which Ankara considers an extension of the PKK.
