Ankara: The militant Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) announced it is withdrawing all its forces from Turkey to northern Iraq, calling on Ankara to take necessary legal steps to safeguard the peace process. The group’s jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, had previously called for disarmament, following decades of violence that resulted in approximately 50,000 deaths.

According to France24.com, the PKK formally ended its armed struggle against Turkey in May, marking an end to four decades of conflict. The withdrawal of forces was confirmed in a statement read out at a ceremony in the Qandil area of northern Iraq, as observed by an AFP journalist. Senior PKK militant Sabri Ok emphasized the need for significant legal steps to be taken, advocating for laws tailored to the peace process rather than mere amnesty.

The PKK intends to pursue a democratic struggle for Kurdish minority rights, aligning with Ocalan’s historic call. Late last year, Turkey initiated indirect talks with the PKK, a move supported by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan had praised the PKK’s decision to start destroying weapons in July, viewing it as a triumph for Turkey.

Additionally, Turkey has established a cross-party parliamentary commission tasked with preparing the legal framework for the political integration of the PKK and its fighters. Ok stressed the necessity for specific laws and amendments, underscoring the unique nature of the PKK situation. The commission is also responsible for determining the fate of Ocalan, the group’s 76-year-old leader, who has been imprisoned on Imrali island since 1999. His release remains a key demand of the PKK.

Analysts suggest that with the PKK weakened and the Kurdish public weary from years of conflict, Turkey’s peace offer provides Ocalan with an opportunity to transition away from armed struggle. In July, a symbolic ceremony was held in northern Iraq where the PKK destroyed a batch of weapons, an act seen by Turkey as a pivotal moment in the peace process.

The People’s Democratic Party (DEM), Turkey’s third-largest party, has been instrumental in facilitating the emerging peace agreement. Reports indicate that a party delegation is expected to meet with Erdogan soon and subsequently visit Ocalan on Imrali island.