PKK announces historic withdrawal of its fighters from Turkey

PKK announces historic withdrawal of its fighters from Turkey

A significant step in a protracted conflict: The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) has announced that it will withdraw its fighters from Turkey to northern Iraq. This decision comes as part of a peace process with the Turkish government and was officially announced on Sunday, as reported by the Kurdish news agency Firat. 25 fighters have already withdrawn, and the PKK hopes the Turkish government will take the necessary “legal and political” steps to support this process.

The PKK, which has fought for Kurdish rights since its founding in 1978 under Abdullah Öcalan, has taken a number of significant steps in recent years. In July 2025, their fighters symbolically laid down their arms, an act that raised many hopes among the Kurds in Turkey. Diyarbakır Co-Mayor Serra Bucak's statement that the dissolution of the PKK could be considered a “very historic decision” highlights the importance of this process.

The context of withdrawal

The PKK announced its dissolution in May 2025, followed by a symbolic ceasefire based on a call from Öcalan. The PKK's founder, imprisoned since 1999, has called for a peaceful, democratic society in Turkey, prompting the organization to declare armed struggle obsolete. The PKK emphasizes the need to actively participate in political processes.

Recent events show that peace in the region is certainly possible, but the question remains whether President Erdoğan can fulfill the Kurds' hopes. Historically, more than 40,000 people have died in fighting between the PKK and the Turkish army since the 1980s, underlining the sensitivity of this issue.

A complex conflict

Relations between Turkey and the PKK are characterized not only by national but also by international dynamics. Erdö's political strategy to contain the Kurds and strengthen his regional influence is influenced by developments in neighboring Syria. Despite the obvious push for peace, there remains widespread skepticism as to whether Erdoğan's Turkish government is taking the necessary steps to secure lasting peace.

Additionally, the question of the status of Rojava, a disputed territory that the PKK uses as a base, is crucial. Erdoğan considers this region a “PKK terror zone” and has intervened militarily there. Geopolitical developments also show that the conflict has far-reaching effects on the overall stability of the region.

The Turkish government's next steps and its concrete responses to the PKK's demands will be crucial to see whether this peace is sustainable. Striving for constructive dialogue between the various actors could be the key to resolving these long-standing conflicts, but it remains to be seen whether this will be achieved.

Sources: Radio Lippe, ZDF today, Federal Agency for Civic Education.