content tagged with PKK

PKK further withdraws forces from frontlines in Kurdistan region

PKK further withdraws forces from frontlines in Kurdistan region

The move follows the group's announcement in late October that it had withdrawn all remaining units from within Turkey’s borders as part of the ongoing peace process.

17 November 2025

PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey, marking ‘next phase’ in peace process

PKK announces withdrawal from Turkey, marking ‘next phase’ in peace process

The pro-Kurdish DEM Party has called on the government and parliament to swiftly implement the legal measures expected as part of the peace process.

27 October 2025

Ercan Jan Aktaş

The anarchist face of democratic modernity

AN ANARCHIST READING OF ÖCALAN - IV

The anarchist face of democratic modernity

For Öcalan, capitalist modernity is a system that suppresses all possibilities of social liberation, prioritizing economic growth, centralized power, and a homogeneous society. Its political form is the nation-state.

25 August 2025 Ercan Jan Aktaş

Postmodern peace

Postmodern peace

The intentions of the subjects are unclear; the process is not transparent; and regional developments are quite uncertain and complex, as is the peace process in Turkey. When all these factors are taken together, we are left with a picture of “postmodern peace” whose direction, principles, and boundaries are unclear.

28 July 2025 Çetin Gürer

PKK leader Öcalan's fellow inmate Veysi Aktaş released after 31 years in prison

PKK leader Öcalan's fellow inmate Veysi Aktaş released after 31 years in prison

Upon his release, Aktaş conveyed Öcalan's message: “Serok said, ‘We will turn İmralı Island into an island of peace'."

Ercan Jan Aktaş

Democratic nation: an antidote to the poison of the nation-state

Democratic nation: an antidote to the poison of the nation-state

According to Öcalan, the democratic nation first and foremost acknowledges ethnic, religious, cultural, and gender pluralism. He does not equate the nation with the state; instead, he sees the nation as a form of social organization and solidarity.

21 July 2025 Ercan Jan Aktaş

Ayşegül Başar

'Diyarbakır Mothers’ express support for peace process

'Diyarbakır Mothers’ express support for peace process

“As Diyarbakır Mothers, we fully support this process and are pleased with the steps taken,” says a member of the group.

18 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

Ayşegül Başar

'All mothers’ tears are the same color': Peace Mothers reflect on PKK weapon-burning ceremony

'All mothers’ tears are the same color': Peace Mothers reflect on PKK weapon-burning ceremony

“The state still considers them terrorists. They are Kurdish children. The state must act immediately and extend its hand for peace. Let no Kurdish or Turkish mothers cry," says one of the mothers.

16 July 2025 Ayşegül Başar

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

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.

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

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.

Twelve Turkish soldiers killed by methane gas during cave search in Iraq's north

Twelve Turkish soldiers killed by methane gas during cave search in Iraq's north

Nineteen soldiers were exposed to methane while they were searching a cave, the authorities said.

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.

PKK calls for Öcalan’s release and legal reforms to implement disarmament

PKK calls for Öcalan’s release and legal reforms to implement disarmament

“To fully disarm, we must also trust the state," said Murat Karayılan, a senior member of the militant group that declared its disbanding.

PKK leader Öcalan greets group’s decision to disband

PKK leader Öcalan greets group’s decision to disband

The imprisoned PKK leader had called on the group to disband in late February.

Erdoğan, Bahçeli welcome PKK disbanding as step to 'fortify domestic front' amid global instability

Erdoğan, Bahçeli welcome PKK disbanding as step to 'fortify domestic front' amid global instability

“While the dark shadow of a chain reaction of wars and conflicts continues to dominate humanity and geographies, the rise of peace and stability in the Turkish Century represents a tremendous historical shift,” said Bahçeli.

'No excuse left not to build a democratic Turkey' after PKK lays down arms, says pro-Kurdish leader

'No excuse left not to build a democratic Turkey' after PKK lays down arms, says pro-Kurdish leader

Bakırhan and Buldan believe the militant group's move could pave the way for Turkey's democratization.

Turkish government officials welcome PKK disbanding as 'historic turning point'

Turkish government officials welcome PKK disbanding as 'historic turning point'

The communications director and the justice minister hailed the PKK's decision as a success of the government's push for a "terror-free Turkey."

Full text: PKK’s statement on disbanding decision

Full text: PKK’s statement on disbanding decision

We are publishing the Kurdistan Workers' Party's declaration following its congress held between May 5-7.

PKK declares disbandment, ending four-decade armed insurgency against Turkey

PKK declares disbandment, ending four-decade armed insurgency against Turkey

As part of a new peace initiative, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called on the group to disband in late February.

PKK expected to announce dissolution ‘at any moment'

PKK expected to announce dissolution ‘at any moment'

The PKK has announced that it held a congress but has yet to disclose its outcome. The group’s leader Abdullah Öcalan in late February called on the PKK to lay down arms to end 40 years of armed insurgency.

Tuğçe Yılmaz

'We come from a long past, and we are thinking about a long future'

Q&A WITH SIRRI SÜREYYA ÖNDER ON KURDISH PEACE TALKS

'We come from a long past, and we are thinking about a long future'

We spoke with Sırrı Süreyya Önder, one of the key figures in discussions on resolving the Kurdish question, about often-overlooked aspects of peace processes.

7 April 2025 Tuğçe Yılmaz

PKK executive says Öcalan must oversee disarmament process

PKK executive says Öcalan must oversee disarmament process

Bahçeli insists that the PKK move forward with disarmament

Öcalan: This is an era of peace, democracy and fraternity for Turkey and the region

Öcalan: This is an era of peace, democracy and fraternity for Turkey and the region

DEM Party announces that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan proposes “constructive solutions to counter the imposed scenarios of a bleak future”.

29 December 2024

DEM Party discusses PKK leader Öcalan’s ‘isolation’ with Justice Ministry

DEM Party discusses PKK leader Öcalan’s ‘isolation’ with Justice Ministry

Öcalan had a family visit for the first time in over four years amid renewed peace process discussions.

30 October 2024

Nearly 300 detained in two days in raids targeting Kurdish groups

Nearly 300 detained in two days in raids targeting Kurdish groups

The raids follow an attempted rally in Diyarbakır demanding the lifting of the confinement of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan.

16 October 2024

Ex-Turkish military officer suggests assassination of Kurdish Leader Bafel Talabani

Ex-Turkish military officer suggests assassination of Kurdish Leader Bafel Talabani

A recent memorandum of understanding between Ankara and Baghdad paves the way for such an action, the officer claimed.

26 September 2024

Journalists killed in suspected Turkish airstrike in Iraq’s Kurdistan region

Journalists killed in suspected Turkish airstrike in Iraq’s Kurdistan region

Kurdish media outlets named two journalists killed in the strike while earlier reports from the Iraqi media suggested that a senior PKK member was targeted. A KRG official has condemned the incident as Ankara remains silent.