Turkey to set up mechanism for PKK weapons handover: Report
A coordinated mechanism for the handover of Kurdish militant group PKK weapons will be established following the group's decision to dissolve, Turkey's defense ministry said, according to state-owned Anadolu news agency.
The ministry said relevant state institutions would coordinate with counterparts in regional countries to set up the mechanism, Anadolu reported.
The PKK, which has been locked in bloody conflict with Turkey for more than four decades, has decided to disband and end its armed struggle, group members and Turkish leaders said on Monday.
Also on Thursday, a Turkish defense ministry spokesman said in a briefing that Turkey's military will continue acting against PKK militants in regions where they are present until it is 'certain' the threat is removed following decision to disband.
The military will 'continue to act in the regions used by the separatist PKK terrorist organization with determination until it is certain the region is cleared and will no longer pose a threat to Turkey,' a ministry spokesman said in a briefing.
Blacklisted as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, the PKK operates rear bases in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, where Turkey also maintains military bases and often carries out air and ground operations against the Kurdish militants.
The PKK is also present in Syria, where Turkey has military bases in the north and has since 2016 carried out several ground operations to force the militants away from its border.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab News
an hour ago
- Arab News
IAEA head in Damascus to discuss nuclear power
DAMASCUS: UN nuclear watchdog head Rafael Grossi said Wednesday his agency and Syrian authorities would begin 'exploring the possibility of nuclear power,' on his first visit to Damascus since the ouster of Bashar Assad. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly been at loggerheads with Syria in the past over what it says are 'unresolved issues' regarding suspected nuclear activities. On his visit, the IAEA chief met with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani. 'Honoured to meet Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa in Damascus. I recognize his courage in cooperating with full transparency to close a chapter of Syria's past that diverted resources necessary for development,' Grossi said in a post on X. He said the two sides 'will also begin exploring the possibility of nuclear power in Syria.' 'Our cooperation is key to closing outstanding issues and focusing on the much needed help IAEA can provide Syria in health and agriculture,' he added. The IAEA has urged Syria repeatedly to cooperate fully with the agency in connection to a suspected nuclear reactor at the Deir Ezzor desert site. Israel in 2018 admitted carrying out a top-secret air raid in 2007 against what it said was a nuclear reactor under construction at the site in eastern Syria. Syria had denied it was building a nuclear reactor. Grossi visited Damascus in March last year, meeting then president Assad who was overthrown in December after nearly 14 years of civil war. Grossi told an IAEA Board of Governors meeting in March this year that he had requested Syria's cooperation to 'fulfil our obligation to verify nuclear material and facilities' and to 'address unresolved issues.' 'Clarifying these issues remains essential to Syria demonstrating its commitment to nuclear non-proliferation and international peace and security,' he said at the time.
Al Arabiya
2 hours ago
- Al Arabiya
US confident in Syrian partners to prevent ISIS resurgence amid troop withdrawal
A US defense official told Al Arabiya English on Wednesday that Washington's vetted Syrian partners are well-trained, well-equipped, and prepared to prevent any resurgence of ISIS in Syria, even as American forces continue to withdraw from the country. Earlier this week, US officials confirmed to Al Arabiya English that at least 500 American troops had been withdrawn from Syria in recent weeks, and several military bases were either shut down or handed over to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). US Special Envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, noted that the US would maintain a presence at one of its eight long-standing bases in Syria. The defense official emphasized that the ongoing consolidation of forces is being carried out in a 'safe, deliberate, and professional' manner. 'This consolidation reflects the significant steps we have made toward degrading ISIS's appeal and operational capability to carry out attacks both regionally and globally,' the official said, reaffirming Washington's commitment to ensuring the group's enduring defeat. The official also expressed cautious optimism about Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. 'So far, the Syrian government… is saying and doing the right things in going after ISIS,' the official said. 'We will continue to vigilantly monitor the new government and their behavior.' 'We also appreciate Syria's efforts to cooperate with other regional partners who share our desire to extinguish ISIS.' Acknowledging the persistent threat posed by ISIS, the official underscored that US efforts to prevent a resurgence remain steadfast. 'After nearly a decade of partnership with us, [our Syrian partners] are a strong and capable force that will keep ISIS suppressed. Their expertise and previous sacrifices in combatting ISIS are widely known, and they will continue to play a critical role in protecting Syria from ISIS and Al-Qaeda in the future,' the official said. The official also pointed to ISIS's significantly weakened state as a justification for the drawdown. However, US forces will continue to conduct targeted operations against remaining ISIS elements and work closely with local partners to carry out essential counterterrorism missions, including the security of ISIS detention facilities and camps.
Arab News
6 hours ago
- Arab News
Minister of endowments thanks Saudi Arabia for caring for Syrian pilgrims
LONDON: Syrian Minister of Endowments Muhammad Abu Al-Khair Shukri praised Saudi Arabia's hospitality and care for pilgrims during a meeting with his Saudi counterpart, Tawfiq Al-Rabiah, in Makkah on Wednesday. An estimated 22,500 Syrians embarked on the first day of the Hajj pilgrimage on Wednesday, which ends on June 9. Shukri emphasized the importance of cooperation to help pilgrims perform their rituals smoothly during Hajj, reaffirming Syrian pilgrims' commitment to following Saudi instructions and regulations. The minister conveyed President Ahmad Al-Sharaa's greetings to the Saudi leadership. Al-Sharaa spoke this week with Syrian pilgrims in Makkah during a video call and asked them to act as 'messengers of Syria' and show a good example during the Hajj. Al-Rabiah expressed hope for stability and tranquility in Syria, according to the SANA news agency.
