Kurdistan Region President Welcomes PKK’s Disbandment as ‘Decisive Step’ Toward Peace

Peregraf

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani has welcomed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) decision to disband, disarm, and heed the call of its imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan, describing it as a "decisive step" that could open a new chapter in the region. In a statement, Barzani called the move "a sign of political maturity" that paves the way for genuine dialogue, and one that could strengthen coexistence and stability both in Turkey and across the region.

Barzani emphasized that "now is the time," and expressed hope that "this important step will be responded to with other positive steps by all parties concerned." He said such responses would create the conditions for a lasting and comprehensive peace that ends decades of violence and suffering, leading the region toward new horizons of progress. He described the development as a historic opportunity and called for constructive engagement by all stakeholders.

Praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s role in supporting the process, Barzani reiterated that the Kurdistan Region supports all peaceful efforts to resolve conflicts. "We hope that this initiative becomes a decisive turning point," he stated, adding that the KRG stands ready to provide any support necessary for the success of the peace process. "We express our full readiness to continue to provide any assistance for the success of this historic opportunity," Barzani concluded.

Barzani’s statement came after the PKK, during its 12th Congress, announced the termination of all activities under its name. Held under what the group described as "challenging security conditions," the congress resulted in a resolution to dissolve the PKK’s organizational framework and end its armed struggle.

The decision was based on a message from Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on İmralı Island since 1999. Delivered through a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party on February 27, 2025, Öcalan’s message called for a complete shift to a peaceful, democratic path.

The PKK described the decision as a "historic shift" in the Kurdish freedom movement. It also confirmed the deaths of senior PKK leaders Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, referring to them as martyrs of the struggle.

The move has been met with cautious optimism in the region, with observers now watching to see how Ankara and other stakeholders will respond to what could be a turning point in decades of conflict.