By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL-In an unprecedented, historic move, the PKK terrorist organization in a ceremony witnessed by Turkish intelligence officials in Suleymaniyeh, Iraq destroyed its weapons. The ceremony was also witnessed by Iraqi Kurdish Regional Government security forces and civil society representatives with weapon destruction taking place in the Surdash district of Suleymaniyeh. PKK members threw their weapons into a large cauldron full of fire after emerging from a cave with their weapons. Observers and officials were on hand to witness the disarmament which took place about 11:45 a.m. near Dukan Lake in Suleymaniyeh province, a region controlled by the PUK about 120 kilometers from Erbil. Reports indicated that about 30 PKK members burned their weapons at the ceremony. The disarmament comes months after a statement in February 2025 from imprisoned PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan, calling for the group’s dissolution and an end to its armed campaign with the PKK officially announcing in May, its decision to disband and surrender arms.
Turkish officials have said that this disarmament process is part of a Turkish initiative known as the “terror-free Turkiye” initiative put forth by Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli and fully supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. As Bahceli commented: “As of today, the separatist (PKK) terrorist group has begun surrendering their weapons, and historic developments are beginning to unforld toward closure of a dark era.” He added: “The goal of a terror-free Turkiye has made progress through firm and sound steps.” Bahceli further noted: “With the completion of the weapons surrender process within the set timeline, painful memories will be left behind, and the Turkish nation will become the architect and axis of the new century.” Full disarmament of the PKK is expected to be finalized by the end of September 2025, according to organizers in a process that is being monitored by Turkiye and Iraq.
