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PKK Begins Withdrawal From Turkey to Northern Iraq in Disarmament Push

Ankara calls it progress under its "Turkey without terror" roadmap.

Overview

  • The PKK announced it is moving all units out of Turkey to northern Iraq as part of an ongoing disarmament process.
  • The group linked the step to its May self-dissolution after Abdullah Öcalan’s call to end armed struggle and said it will pursue Kurdish rights by democratic means.
  • PKK representatives urged Ankara to immediately enact laws on freedom and democratic integration to allow participation in politics.
  • Turkey’s ruling AKP hailed the withdrawal as meeting government objectives, with spokesman Ömer Çelik citing progress under the "Turkey without terror" roadmap.
  • Officials highlighted earlier milestones including a July 11 disarmament ceremony in Sulaymaniyah overseen by Turkey’s intelligence agency, where a first group laid down arms, including PKK figure Bese Hozat.