In what officials are calling a landmark moment in Türkiye’s long-running counterterrorism efforts, PKK terrorists in Sulaymaniyah have formally laid down their arms, signaling a major step forward in the country’s broader five-stage roadmap toward lasting peace and reconciliation.
“This laying down of arms by PKK militants in Sulaymaniyah — a milestone of the third stage of the ongoing disarmament and decommissioning process — marks a concrete and welcome step toward ending the group’s decades-long campaign of violence,” a senior Turkish official said on Friday.
“We view this development as an irreversible turning point—an opportunity to protect innocent lives and build a future free from terror. Türkiye remains committed to supporting all efforts that prioritize disarmament, stability, and lasting reconciliation in the region.”
Today’s decommissioning event falls within the third phase of a structured five-stage plan Türkiye has put in motion to bring an end to terrorism while fostering national unity and regional stability. The roadmap includes:
Political Initiative – Spearheaded by the People’s Alliance, this initial phase laid the foundation for peace by creating political space for a unified national approach to ending terrorism.
Call for Disarmament – A critical juncture came with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s public call urging the group to lay down arms, reinforcing the political momentum toward peace.
Disbandment and Decommissioning – The phase reached today, involving the monitored and irreversible dissolution of the PKK’s armed units. The Sulaymaniyah disarmament marks the most significant advance yet in this stage.
Legal Reintegration – Future steps will focus on establishing judicial mechanisms to allow for lawful returns, ensuring accountability without undermining regional stability.
Socio-Psychological Integration – The final phase will address the deep social scars left by decades of conflict. This includes community healing, victim support, and full reintegration of former militants into society.
A Turning Point
While previous ceasefires and peace efforts have collapsed under political or military pressure, Turkish officials say this time is different — structured, verifiable, and strategically sequenced.
The move in Sulaymaniyah is being interpreted in Ankara as a sign of growing momentum behind the process, with attention now turning to how the remaining stages — particularly legal reintegration and community rehabilitation — will be implemented.
