content tagged with Kurdish peace process

Ayşegül Başar

PKK’s ‘farewell to arms’: What is ending, and what is beginning?

PKK’s ‘farewell to arms’: What is ending, and what is beginning?

Perhaps we witnessed the most concrete and tangible steps ever taken toward peace; top-down and bottom-up. Despite its weight, making peace, is possible, as we "witnessed."

14 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Notes from the historic day: mountain, fire, hope!

OBSERVATIONS FROM SULAYMANIYAH

Notes from the historic day: mountain, fire, hope!

We wait. Our faces are turned toward the mountain. They will come down through a crack, sit at the table, and make a statement. Everyone is very excited.

12 July 2025 Özgür Amed

Ayşegül Başar

'We witnessed a historical moment'

ATTENDEES OF PKK CEREMONY

'We witnessed a historical moment'

Three of the limited number of attendees spoke to bianet, sharing their reflections on the PKK’s disarmament ceremony.

11 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Barzani welcomes PKK disarmament

Barzani welcomes PKK disarmament

The KRG president extended his thanks to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, as well as his nationalist ally Devlet Bahçeli and PKK ledaer Öcalan.

In photos: PKK's historic disarmament ceremony

In photos: PKK's historic disarmament ceremony

A group of 30 PKK members, including senior executives, attended a symbolic ceremony.

Bahçeli hails PKK disarming: 'a new and hopeful era'

Bahçeli hails PKK disarming: 'a new and hopeful era'

Bahçeli also commended the DEM Party for maintaining what he described as a responsible political stance.

Ayşegül Başar

Initial takeaways from PKK's disarmament ceremony

Initial takeaways from PKK's disarmament ceremony

The PKK stated that it would continue its struggle through legal means under the name “Group for Peace and Democratic Society” and called on the state to introduce legal regulations in line with the peace process.

11 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Video: PKK burns weapons in ceremony marking end of armed struggle

Video: PKK burns weapons in ceremony marking end of armed struggle

The group, which declared its dissolution after a May congress as part of a peace process, has taken the first step with a symbolic ceremony.

Full text: PKK statement during disarmament ceremony

Full text: PKK statement during disarmament ceremony

We are publishing the full text of the statement delivered by the Group for Peace and Democratic Society during the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) symbolic disarmament ceremony on Jul 11.

Ayşegül Başar

PKK holds disarmament ceremony to end four-decade armed struggle

PKK holds disarmament ceremony to end four-decade armed struggle

The PKK took the first step for disarmament as part of a peace process with Turkey.

11 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Turkey says gas exposure that killed 12 soldiers in Iraq's north was first of its kind

Turkey says gas exposure that killed 12 soldiers in Iraq's north was first of its kind

Nineteen soldiers were hospitalized after being exposed to methane gas during a cave search in Iraq's semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

Ayşegül Başar

DEM Party-led group departs Diyarbakır for PKK disarmament ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan

DEM Party-led group departs Diyarbakır for PKK disarmament ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan

A large group including politicians, intellectuals, and journalists will be in Sulaymaniyah as the PKK holds a symbolic disarmament ceremony tomorrow in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region.

10 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Tuğçe Yılmaz

'PKK disarmament is not an end, but the first step toward an honorable peace'

Q&A WITH TUNCER BAKIRHAN

'PKK disarmament is not an end, but the first step toward an honorable peace'

We spoke with DEM Party Co-Chair Bakırhan about the debates on resolving the Kurdish question, the operations targeting the CHP, and the role of socialists and other segments of society in the process.

9 July 2025 Tuğçe Yılmaz

PKK leader Öcalan releases first video message in 26 years ahead of disarmament ceremony

PKK leader Öcalan releases first video message in 26 years ahead of disarmament ceremony

"Politics know no vacuum; therefore, the vacuum should be filled with the program of 'Democratic Society'," said Öcalan.

PKK disarmament ceremony to be held behind closed doors for security reasons

PKK disarmament ceremony to be held behind closed doors for security reasons

A few dozen fighters are planned to destroy their fighters in a symbolic disarmament ceremony. There will be no journalists present and the event will not be broadcast live as part of new security measures.

PKK convict involved in first peace process released after 33 years in prison

PKK convict involved in first peace process released after 33 years in prison

During his sentence, Arkaş’s release was delayed a total of eight times. Hrelease comes at a time when Turkey is engaged in a renewed peace process.

Ayşegül Başar

'We should all take our place in the boat of peace and row'

Q&A WITH ÇİĞDEM KILIÇGÜN-UÇAR

'We should all take our place in the boat of peace and row'

Democratic Regions Party Co-Chair Kılıçgün-Uçar emphasizes that all segments of society must be involved in the new peace process.

27 June 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Ercan Jan Aktaş

What does Öcalan's perspective mean to whom?

Q&A WITH SAYİD DARATİ

What does Öcalan's perspective mean to whom?

Dr. Darati compares Turkey in 2025 to the Ottoman Empire in 1918: "The Middle East is burning, Anatolia is fragmented; the state has no chance of survival except by reaching an agreement with the Kurds."

25 June 2025 Ercan Jan Aktaş

Families of soldiers and PKK militants to gather in Diyarbakır as part of peace efforts

Families of soldiers and PKK militants to gather in Diyarbakır as part of peace efforts

“One of the most important aspects that must not be ignored is how those directly affected feel about the process. We believe their support is key to building a social foundation for peace," says the head of the Human Rights Association in Diyarbakır.

Öcalan requests meetings with Barzani, Abdi, and Talabani

Öcalan requests meetings with Barzani, Abdi, and Talabani

Democratic Peoples' Party (DEM Party) spokesperson Ayşegül Doğan announced that the party is preparing to visit PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

Journalist Elif Akgül to be released after 101 days in prison

Journalist Elif Akgül to be released after 101 days in prison

Journalist Elif Akgül is expected to be released from prison today, where she has been held for 101 days as part of the HDK investigation.

Hatimoğulları: Government is way too slow and timid

Hatimoğulları: Government is way too slow and timid

Co-chair of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Tülay Hatimoğulları, criticized the government for failing to take the necessary steps amid a shifting political landscape. She emphasized the urgency of action, saying, “Words are not enough; now is the time for action.”

Tuğçe Yılmaz

Sezai Temelli: Constitutional debates are incomplete without legal guarantees

Sezai Temelli: Constitutional debates are incomplete without legal guarantees

As part of the peace and democratic society process, we spoke with DEM Party Group Deputy Chair Sezai Temelli about the upcoming amendments to the prison release bill and who they would affect.

29 May 2025 Tuğçe Yılmaz

DEM Party and AKP discuss peace process and prison reform bill

DEM Party and AKP discuss peace process and prison reform bill

Following the PKK's announcement of its dissolution and disarmament, the DEM Party initiated a round of talks with political parties, concluding with a visit to the AKP.

Erdoğan appoints ten jurists to prepare new constitution

Erdoğan appoints ten jurists to prepare new constitution

At the AKP Conference Hall, President Erdoğan reiterated his determination to draft a new constitution during the Extended Provincial Chairs Meeting of his party.

Besê Hozat: Only Öcalan can take weapons from the hands of the PKK fighters

Besê Hozat: Only Öcalan can take weapons from the hands of the PKK fighters

Besê Hozat, Co-Chair of the KCK Executive Council, stated that Abdullah Öcalan must be released for the PKK to lay down arms.

DEM Party and MHP discuss parliamentary commission and constitution

DEM Party and MHP discuss parliamentary commission and constitution

The DEM Party stated that their meeting with Bahçeli took place in a "highly constructive atmosphere" and announced that they will meet with the AKP delegation tomorrow.

Ayşegül Başar

Emine Şenyaşar to mothers of soldiers: Let’s stand arm in arm

Emine Şenyaşar to mothers of soldiers: Let’s stand arm in arm

A mother who buried her husband and two sons, and whose other son spent over six years in prison, Şenyaşar called out: “We lost our loved ones. From now on, no mother should have to cry for her child.”

26 May 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Erdoğan: I have no intention to be re-elected or to run again

Erdoğan: I have no intention to be re-elected or to run again

Calling on the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) to support a new constitution, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, “Come, let’s join forces. We want a new constitution not for ourselves but for our country.”

Peace Mothers to mothers of soldiers and police officers: "Let there be no tears on either side"

Peace Mothers to mothers of soldiers and police officers: "Let there be no tears on either side"

Peace Mothers' Assembly Havva Kıran called for "No more funerals, let the tears of Turkish and Kurdish mothers stop".

Tunceli governor dismissed from his post

Tunceli governor dismissed from his post

Bülent Tekbıyıkoğlu, has been transferred to the center by the Interior Ministry. Tekbıyıkoğlu was replaced by his deputy Ertuğrul Aslan.

Erdoğan signals end to state takeovers of pro-Kurdish municipalities after PKK disbands

Erdoğan signals end to state takeovers of pro-Kurdish municipalities after PKK disbands

Turkish intelligence will oversee the PKK's disarmament process, the president has said.

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