PKK Begins Disarmament After 40 Years of Conflict

After four decades of fighting, some members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) have started to disarm. This move could bring peace between the PKK and Turkey. The conflict has killed over 40,000 people.

The first step in this process happened in northern Iraq. PKK fighters destroyed their weapons at a ceremony. Officials from the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government were there. 

The PKK said in May that it would end its 40-year fight against Turkey. For the last 10 years, PKK fighters have been based in the mountains of northern Iraq.

What is the PKK?

  • The PKK was started in 1978 by Abdullah Öcalan.
  • In 1984, the PKK began fighting Turkey.
  • At first, they wanted independence. Later, they fought for Kurdish rights and freedom.

Turkey often attacks PKK bases in northern Iraq. Iraq says these attacks violate its land. The PKK is also linked to YPG fighters in Syria. The YPG is a U.S. ally  This link has caused problems between Turkey and the U.S., because Turkey sees the YPG as part of the PKK.

Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union all say the PKK is a terrorist group. But, the PKK's supporters see it as a group fighting for their rights.

At the disarmament event in northern Iraq, PKK fighters destroyed their weapons. 

They hope this will help start peace talks with Turkey after many years of fighting. This happened because Abdullah Öcalan, the PKK's leader, asked them to. He has been in prison in Turkey for over 25 years.

The fighting between Turkey and the PKK has hurt farmers in northern Iraq. Turkish forces have attacked PKK fighters in the mountains, destroying farms and land. The Iraqi government banned the PKK last year.

This disarmament is only the beginning. The PKK has demands, including the release of Abdullah Öcalan. They want him to lead the peace process in northern Iraq.

A former Turkish military officer, Yusuf Alabarda,

said that PKK fighters are no longer inside Turkey. He believes this has made peace possible.

In 2010, Erdoğan wanted to end the PKK's activities and bring democracy to Turkey. But, at that time, there were 6,000 armed PKK members carrying out attacks in Turkey. Also, a group called FETÖ was interfering with these efforts.

Now, Turkey has removed all PKK fighters from the country. The PKK members who are disarming are in Iraq. Alabarda said that you cannot make peace while a terrorist group is active in your country.

The disarmament of the PKK is a complex issue with a long history. While this first step seems promising, the success of any potential long term peace depends on the response of the Turkish state.

 Follow sawt Al Islam for understanding this matter