The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) began its formal disarmament process on July 11, 2025, marking a symbolic and historic step towards ending over four decades of armed conflict with Turkey123.
The ceremony took place in the Jasana (Şikefta Caseneyê) cave near Dukan, northwest of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq’s Kurdish region—a location with deep symbolic significance for Kurdish resistance1456.
The event was conducted under tight security, with helicopters overhead and Kurdish security forces securing the area12.
About 20 to 40 PKK fighters, including several commanders and senior executives, participated in this first phase, destroying their weapons rather than handing them over to authorities1357.
The ceremony was attended by high-level PKK members, representatives of Kurdish organizations, and a delegation from Turkey that included politicians, intellectuals, human rights advocates, and journalists45.
Senior PKK figures such as Besê Hozat and Mustafa Karasu were present, and visuals from the ceremony were captured for later release45.
The act of burning or destroying weapons was described as a voluntary and irreversible gesture, signifying the PKK’s intention to shift from armed struggle to democratic politics and legal means347.
The disarmament process is planned to continue throughout the summer, with further handovers expected in phases28.
This move follows a May 2025 announcement by the PKK to dissolve its armed wing, prompted by a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, who characterized the shift as a “historic achievement” and a move toward peace and democratic engagement137.
Turkish officials welcomed the ceremony as a “turning point” and an opportunity for lasting peace and reconciliation in the region9.
The process is part of a broader, multi-stage peace initiative, including legal and socio-psychological reintegration for former fighters, though senior PKK members are not expected to be allowed back into Turkey9.
The disarmament is seen as a gesture of good faith in the ongoing peace process, with hopes that it will help heal communities and address the broader Kurdish issue49.
The PKK has been designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and the EU. Its conflict with the Turkish state has resulted in over 40,000 deaths since 1984137.
The Jasana cave, site of the ceremony, is historically significant as a symbol of Kurdish resistance, having served as a base for Kurdish leaders and fighters during various uprisings6
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