Kurdish militants PKK to disband after four-decade insurgency against TürkiyeBy Middle East correspondent Eric Tlozek and wiresTopic:World Politics1h ago1 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 7:01amA news agency linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) says it resolved to disband at a meeting in eastern Türkiye last week.In short:The militant Kurdistan Workers' Party, which fought a four-decade insurgency against Türkiye, has reportedly agreed to disband and lay down its weapons.The revelation comes after the group's jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan, had called for the disbanding as part of a deal offered by the Turkish government for his release.What's next?The future of the PKK — a listed terrorist organisation in Türkiye, Australia, the US and Europe — and its fighters remains uncertain, including whether they may be relocated.abc.net.au/news/kurdish-militants-pkk-agree-to-disband/105283584Link copiedShareShare articleA Kurdish militant group that fought a four-decade insurgency against Türkiye has reportedly agreed to disband and lay down its weapons.A news agency linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is a listed terrorist organisation in Türkiye, Australia, the United States and Europe, says it resolved to disband at a meeting in eastern Türkiye last week."The PKK has completed its historic mission," the group said, according to the Firat news agency, which published what it said was the closing declaration of a congress that the PKK held in northern Iraq, where it is based.Abdullah Öcalan, who has been jailed since 1999, has called for the group's disbandment in recent months. (AP: Metin Yoksu)The group's jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan, had called for the disbanding as part of a deal offered by the Turkish government for his release.The PKK began its insurgency in pursuit of a Kurdish state, then later, greater Kurdish rights and autonomy.On March 1, the PKK announced a unilateral ceasefire but attached conditions, including the creation of a legal framework for peace negotiations.Kurdish militants PKK declare ceasefire in 40-year conflict with Türkiye Kurdish militants who have waged a 40-year insurgency in Türkiye declare a ceasefire two days after their imprisoned leader called for the group to disarm.The conflict between Türkiye and the PKK has spilled over into northern Iraq and northern Syria.In the statement published by Firat News, the PKK announced its decision to end its "organisational structure," suggesting that its armed struggle has successfully challenged policies that sought to suppress Kurdish rights.The congress assessed that the PKK's struggle had "brought the Kurdish issue to the point of resolution through democratic politics, thus completing its historical mission," according to the statement."As a result, activities carried out under the name 'PKK' were formally terminated," the statement said.In February, news of talks, supported by the government, with Öcalan sparked protests by the Turkish Youth Union. (Reuters: Umit Bektas)Details of the peace initiative have not been made public and it was not clear how the process would proceed, including how weapons would be disposed of and who would monitor the procedures.The future of PKK fighters remains uncertain, including whether they may be relocated to third countries. Any concessions the PKK might obtain in exchange for its decision to disband have not been disclosed."The PKK struggle has broken the policy of denial and annihilation of our people and brought the Kurdish issue to a point of solving it through democratic politics," the statement said.The PKK's decision will give President Tayyip Erdoğan the opportunity to boost development in the mainly Kurdish south-east, where the insurgency has handicapped the regional economy for decades.Ömer Çelik, a spokesperson for President Erdoğan's ruling AK Party, said the PKK's decision to dissolve was an "an important step toward a terror-free Türkiye".The decision to dissolve is significant for Kurdish people and the Middle East as a whole, the deputy co-chair of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party Tayip Temel said."The PKK's decision to end its existence and embark on a new transformation will also necessitate a major shift in the official state mentality of Türkiye, and compel the adoption of a new paradigm," Mr Temel told ReutersPrevious peace efforts between Türkiye and the group — most recently in 2015 — have ended with failure.Türkiye leaders debate how to end PKK conflictPhoto shows Three men in military gear walk on a footpath as an armoured vehicle drives past on the road.Türkiye's relationship with Kurdish nationalists is the political problem that won't go away.The announcement by the PKK comes against a backdrop of major changes in the region, including the coming to power of a new administration in Syria, the weakening of the Hezbollah militant movement in Lebanon and the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.In recent years, the PKK has been limited to isolated attacks inside Türkiye as the Turkish military, backed by armed drones, has pushed PKK insurgents increasingly across the mountainous border into Iraq.The latest peace initiative was launched in October by Mr Erdoğan's coalition partner, Devlet Bahçeli, a far-right politician who suggested that Öcalan could be granted parole if his group renounces violence and disbands.Around 40,000 people are estimated to have died in the conflict, which devastated some large eastern Turkish cities and spilled into Iraq and Syria.ABC/wiresPosted 1h ago1 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 7:01am, updated 24m ago24 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 8:02amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesUS and China agree to put 90-day pause on 'reciprocal' tariffsLIVEPhoto shows Donald Trump holds a list of tariffs by country.Anthony Albanese unveils new-look frontbenchTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Anthony Albanese waves inside parliament house.Littleproud stays on as Nationals leader after party voteTopic:Federal GovernmentPhoto shows David Littleproud was re-elected leader of the NationalsIs Chalmers prepared to follow Keating into the 'slaying' business?AAnalysis by Alan KohlerPhoto shows Jim Chalmers walks into QT smiling.One child is slapped, another vomits metal hooks: Inside an Australian childcare giantTopic:Child CarePhoto shows A still from a Snapchat video shows a baby on a bouncer crying.Popular nowAnthony Albanese unveils new-look frontbenchTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows Anthony Albanese waves inside parliament house.Queensland MP set to be booted from state Labor caucus Topic:State and Territory ParliamentPhoto shows Jimmy SullivanAmelia Hamer concedes Kooyong after tense contest with Monique RyanTopic:ElectionsPhoto shows A composite photo of a blonde woman on the left and a brunette on the right, both smiling.Related topicsTerrorismTurkiyeUnrest, Conflict and WarWorld PoliticsTop StoriesUS and China agree to put 90-day pause on 'reciprocal' tariffsTopic:Stock MarketPhoto shows Donald Trump holds a list of tariffs by country.Anthony Albanese unveils new-look frontbenchTopic:ElectionsLittleproud stays on as Nationals leader after party voteTopic:Federal GovernmentIs Chalmers prepared to follow Keating into the 'slaying' business?AAnalysis by Alan KohlerOne child is slapped, another vomits metal hooks: Inside an Australian childcare giantTopic:Child CareJust InQueensland MP set to be booted from state Labor caucus Topic:State and Territory Parliament34m ago34 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 7:52amUS and China reach deal to 90-day pause on 'reciprocal' tariffsTopic:Business, Economics and Finance1m ago1 minutes agoMon 12 May 2025 at 8:25amAmelia Hamer concedes Kooyong after tense contest with Monique RyanTopic:Elections1h ago1 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 7:23amIndian legend Virat Kohli announces retirement from Test cricketTopic:Cricket1h ago1 hours agoMon 12 May 2025 at 7:07amMore Just InBack to top