Turkish President Hails Disarmament Process by Kurdish Separatists
Erdogan Marks End of Four-Decade-Old 'Scourge of Terrorism' in Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hailed the start of a disarmament process by militant Kurdish separatists, marking the end of a "painful chapter" in Turkey's troubled history.
Speaking at an AKP party meeting in Ankara, Erdogan stated that the over 40-year-old "scourge of terrorism", attributed to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), is on its way to ending.
This announcement came after members of the PKK in northern Iraq symbolically burned their weapons, signaling the first step towards disarmament as part of a peace process aimed at ending four decades of conflict.
The move followed instructions from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who urged his group in February to convene a congress and formally disband and disarm.
In May, the PKK announced its decision to do so.
The organization has been fighting an armed insurgency against Turkey since 1984, initially aiming for a Kurdish state but later shifting towards autonomy and rights within Turkey's borders.
The conflict, which spilled over into Iraq and Syria, resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Previous peace efforts have failed, most notably in 2015.
Erdogan emphasized that this development signifies the opening of "a great Turkey," a strong and prosperous future for the country.
The PKK also released a statement, expressing their disarmament as a gesture of goodwill towards the peace process.
They vow to continue fighting for freedom, democracy, and socialism through legal means.
The Turkish president assured that the disarmament was not a result of negotiations or transactions but rather a commitment to peace.
He announced plans to establish a parliamentary commission to oversee this process.
The details of any potential concessions given to the PKK in exchange for their disarmament remain undisclosed.
Speaking at an AKP party meeting in Ankara, Erdogan stated that the over 40-year-old "scourge of terrorism", attributed to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), is on its way to ending.
This announcement came after members of the PKK in northern Iraq symbolically burned their weapons, signaling the first step towards disarmament as part of a peace process aimed at ending four decades of conflict.
The move followed instructions from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who urged his group in February to convene a congress and formally disband and disarm.
In May, the PKK announced its decision to do so.
The organization has been fighting an armed insurgency against Turkey since 1984, initially aiming for a Kurdish state but later shifting towards autonomy and rights within Turkey's borders.
The conflict, which spilled over into Iraq and Syria, resulted in tens of thousands of deaths.
The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Previous peace efforts have failed, most notably in 2015.
Erdogan emphasized that this development signifies the opening of "a great Turkey," a strong and prosperous future for the country.
The PKK also released a statement, expressing their disarmament as a gesture of goodwill towards the peace process.
They vow to continue fighting for freedom, democracy, and socialism through legal means.
The Turkish president assured that the disarmament was not a result of negotiations or transactions but rather a commitment to peace.
He announced plans to establish a parliamentary commission to oversee this process.
The details of any potential concessions given to the PKK in exchange for their disarmament remain undisclosed.
