Why did PKK pick Sulaimani for first disarmament?
Sulaimani town uses cameras, fines to curb littering
Turkish soldier death toll from methane exposure in Kurdistan Region rises to eight
Five Turkish officers killed due to methane gas exposure in Kurdistan Region
Turkey extends flight ban on Sulaimani again
A+ A-
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An initial group of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters is set to disarm in a Sulaimani province ceremony within a week, according to well-informed sources, who said the main reason for picking Sulaimani was 'security.'
A group of PKK fighters will disarm in early July in Sulaimani's Raparin administration, launching the practical steps of implementing the group's decision to dissolve and end its armed struggle against the Turkish state.
The PKK announced its dissolution in May, in response to a February call by its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan to end the conflict that has claimed around 40,000 lives and pursue a political path to securing Kurdish political and cultural rights.
Rudaw has learned from three well-informed sources that previous discussions were held between Ankara and the PKK regarding the location of the first disarmament ceremony, and while Turkey had preferred Erbil province to be the site, the PKK rejected the request after several internal meetings.
Turkey eventually approved the request after deliberations.
'What the PKK is doing is a gesture of goodwill for peace, and the choice of the disarmament ceremony's location was purely a consideration of the security situation,' a source said.
Kamaran Osman, a member of the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), a US-based human rights organization monitoring Ankara's operations in the Kurdistan Region, told Rudaw on Sunday that Sulaimani, where the PKK's headquarters is located in the Qandil Mountains, 'has not been bombarded by Turkey since the PKK's declaration of a ceasefire.'
Turkey in May did not carry out any attacks in Sulaimani and Erbil, but its attacks in Duhok continued, according to CPT statistics, but Ankara bombarded Erbil nine times in June.
The complete lack of attacks in Sulaimani is seen as key to the PKK's decision to hold its first disarmament ceremony in the province.
'Due to the peace process and the calmness of the situation, the movement of [PKK] guerrillas in various parts of Sulaimani province has returned to normal. The situation has reverted to how it was before 2018,' a well-informed source in Sulaimani told Rudaw on Sunday.
While Turkey has welcomed the PKK's decision to dissolve and end its armed struggle, it has emphasized the need for taking concrete steps towards total disarmament. Meanwhile, the PKK expects Ankara to introduce democratic reforms.
At the disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani, PKK fighters will destroy their weapons rather than hand them over to any other authority, Rudaw has learned.
A delegation from Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) will also attend the ceremony. The DEM Party is mediating peace talks between the PKK and the Turkish state.
Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its focus toward achieving broader political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey. The group has been labeled a terrorist organization by Ankara and its allies.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rudaw Net
14 minutes ago
- Rudaw Net
Five Kurdish security forces killed by ISIS in northeast Syria: War monitor
Also in Syria Deadly violence in Suwayda draws UN, Kurdish reactions At least 30 dead in Syria's Suwayda clashes Bedouin, Druze clashes kill 21, injure dozens in south Syria: War monitor Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Five members of the Kurdish-led internal security forces (Asayish) were killed in northeast Syria (Rojava) in an attack carried out by Islamic State (ISIS) militants, a war monitor reported on Monday, adding that the incident underscores a surge in ISIS activity targeting both civilians and security forces in Kurdish-controlled areas. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the five Asayish members 'were killed in Hasaka province when ISIS cells attacked their security checkpoint on the al-Dashisha road in southern Hasaka countryside. 'The assailants fled to an unknown location,' SOHR added. The UK-based war monitor characterized the attack as part of a broader ISIS campaign aimed at 'reorganizing its ranks and creating a state of chaos.' Since the beginning of 2025, SOHR says it has 'documented 126 ISIS operations' in areas administered by the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES). 'These operations included armed assaults, targeted killings and bombings,' resulting in the deaths of 51 individuals - 34 fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), nine civilians, and eight ISIS members. The US-backed SDF was instrumental in defeating ISIS in 2019 and capturing thousands of the group's fighters. The force continues to operate in coordination with hundreds of US troops as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS. Both the SDF and Asayish are also primarily responsible for securing the Roj and al-Hol camps in Rojava. These camps house thousands of individuals suspected of ISIS ties and are widely viewed as potential breeding grounds for extremist ideology. Since its defeat in 2019, ISIS has been trying to regain its strength, particularly after a coalition of opposition groups led by the now-dissolved Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) on December 8 toppled the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad. SDF chief Mazloum Abdi has repeatedly warned of the growing threat posed by ISIS. In mid- January, he urged the 'need to intensify efforts to continue the fight against ISIS if we don't want to see it make a comeback.' SDF Commander Mazloum Abdi has consistently warned of the growing ISIS threat. In mid-January, he emphasized 'the urgent need to intensify efforts in the ongoing fight against ISIS, if we don't want to see it make a comeback.'
Shafaq News
38 minutes ago
- Shafaq News
Kurdistan's unpaid wages: A crisis of trust and federalism
Shafaq News The prolonged failure to disburse public sector salaries in the Kurdistan Region has pushed Baghdad-Erbil relations to a critical juncture. With over 70 days of unpaid wages affecting nearly 1.5 million employees, the dispute has intensified political tensions, sparked protests, and raised questions about the viability of Iraq's federal framework ahead of the November parliamentary elections. While the issue is far from new, recent rounds of high-level meetings and political outreach have yet to produce a sustainable solution. 'This crisis is not just about unpaid wages—it's about the collapse of trust between Baghdad and Erbil,' said Analyst Ranj Alaaldin in remarks to Shafaq News. 'What we're witnessing is a system failing to deliver on its most basic obligations.' Dispute Reignited The latest escalation came after the delay of May 2025 salaries, and then Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani approved a one-time loan to cover wage payments. The decision, intended to ease hardship ahead of Eid al- Adha, did little to calm public discontent. Protests soon erupted in Al-Sulaymaniyah and other cities, as teachers and civil servants demanded immediate action. At the same time, Kurdish political parties convened in Erbil to condemn Baghdad's handling of the situation, describing the use of salaries as leverage as both unconstitutional and politically dangerous. The episode revived a familiar cycle—emergency disbursements, legal disputes, and mutual accusations —with no permanent resolution in sight. To de-escalate tensions, the Leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), Masoud Barzani, and Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani met on July 12 to announce a joint initiative. Both figures highlighted the humanitarian urgency of the issue and called for separating public entitlements from political conflicts. The following day, Barzani and Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) President Bafel Talabani led a joint meeting of their parties to reaffirm Kurdish unity on the matter. 'The coordination between the KDP and PUK is critical,' observed Political Scientist Zana Ahmed. 'But without legal guarantees and implementation mechanisms, unity alone won't bring results.' A joint statement from both parties underscored the need for constructive engagement on constitutional rights and equitable revenue sharing. Institutional Gaps Exposed Many experts view the impasse as symptomatic of deeper dysfunction in Iraq's fiscal system. Legal Expert Huda Al-Taie described the situation to Shafaq News as a 'recurring pattern in which Baghdad invokes legal justifications selectively' while avoiding the creation of transparent, lasting frameworks. Meanwhile, Prime Minister al-Sudani formed a ministerial committee to evaluate policy proposals from both sides, focusing on the transfer of oil and non-oil revenues and a mechanism for salary domiciliation. A Kurdish political source told Shafaq News later that the committee is expected to submit its final report on July 15, with recommendations that could determine whether salaries resume and whether the KRG agrees to hand over oil exports to SOMO under federal terms. Political Fallout and Strategic Risks Inside Parliament, frustration is also mounting. KDP MP Nasser Yousef Mohi criticized successive federal administrations for marginalizing the Kurdistan Region despite constitutional guarantees ratified in 2005. He also questioned the transparency of parliamentary processes, noting that decisions are frequently crafted behind closed doors and presented for routine approval. 'What we are witnessing is the erosion of constitutional order,' argued constitutional scholar Salam Qazaz. 'The salary issue reveals just how politicized and inconsistent Iraq's fiscal governance has become.' PUK MP Dilan Ghafour warned that the deadlock is harming citizens and called for urgent depoliticization of basic services. In her view, boycotts or withdrawal from the government would only deepen the crisis. Instead, she emphasized negotiation as the only viable path forward. Outlook and Consequences Analysts caution that failure to resolve the dispute could have far-reaching consequences, undermining the credibility of the upcoming elections, widening institutional divides, and weakening public confidence in governance. Alaaldin warned that external actors could exploit Iraq's internal vulnerabilities. 'An unresolved Kurdish crisis opens doors for regional players to deepen instability,' he said. 'Baghdad, Erbil, and Iraq's neighbors all have a stake in preventing that outcome.' Much also hinges on stalled national legislation. Iraq's inability to pass a comprehensive oil and gas law remains a core obstacle, leaving federal-regional fiscal ties in legal and political limbo. The path forward depends on whether Iraq's leaders choose to entrench old patterns or lay the groundwork for a more stable arrangement.
Rudaw Net
44 minutes ago
- Rudaw Net
Deadly violence in Suwayda draws UN, Kurdish reactions
Also in Syria At least 30 dead in Syria's Suwayda clashes Bedouin, Druze clashes kill 21, injure dozens in south Syria: War monitor Rojava administration reiterates call for 'decentralized' Syria, constitutional overhaul Rojava ruling party rejects Damascus 'integration' as bid to 'dismantle' institutions A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Deadly clashes between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in Syria's Druze-majority Suwayda province have left at least 99 people dead, prompting urgent calls for calm and accountability from the United Nations and Kurdish-led authorities in northeast Syria (Rojava). In a statement on X, the UN's Deputy Special Envoy for Syria, Najat Rochdi, expressed 'deep concern over reports of violence and abductions' in Suwayda, 'which have resulted in significant casualties.' She called on the 'interim authorities [in Damascus] and local stakeholders to take immediate steps to protect civilians, restore calm, and prevent incitement,' stressing 'the urgent need for genuine inclusion, trust-building, and meaningful dialogue' to support Syria's political transition. Rising death toll The UN's remarks come as intense clashes raged on between Bedouin tribes and Druze fighters in Syria's southern Suwayda province for the second day on Monday. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported that at least 99 people have been killed, including 60 Druze locals, among them two women and two children, and 18 Bedouins. The casualties also include 14 Syrian defense ministry personnel and seven unidentified individuals in military attire, according to the UK-based war monitor. Amid the fighting, SOHR also reported sightings of an Israeli warplane over Suwayda, which dropped thermal balloons - typically used for surveillance or decoy purposes. Later, the Israeli military's Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed that Israeli forces had struck several tanks heading toward Suwayda to "impede their arrival' to the Druze-majority province. 'The presence of such assets in southern Syria could pose a threat to the State of Israel,' Adraee stated, adding that Israel 'will not allow a military threat to exist in southern Syria.' Israel has in recent months reiterated its commitment to protecting the Druze community in Syria, with whom it says it shares 'strong ties.' Moreover, it has repeatedly acted to prevent the establishment of any significant military presence in southern Syria near its border, citing security concerns. Meanwhile, the Syrian defense ministry expressed dismay over the "unfortunate clashes" in Suwayda, attributing the violence to a "direct result of the institutional and administrative vacuum" plaguing the region. In a statement relayed by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) quoted the ministry spokesperson Hassan Abdul Ghani as confirming the deployment of reinforcements to Suwayda, who were reportedly attacked by "outlaw armed groups," resulting in the deaths of 18 officers. He vowed the defense ministry's resolve to "end these futile clashes and pursue the outlaw groups," assuring Suwayda's residents that their "safety, dignity, and livelihoods' would be preserved. SANA also quoted the Syrian interior ministry as noting the deployment of its security forces and military units to Suwayda as well and underscoring its role in "maintaining security and protecting civilians without bias.' The ministry urged all sides to exercise "national responsibility' and stressed that disputes "must be resolved through state institutions and the judiciary.' Underlying tensions Suwayda24, a local outlet focused on southern Syria's Druze-majority Suwayda province, on Sunday cited local security officials as linking the violence to 'a recent robbery on the Damascus-Suwayda road, which targeted a businessman,' sparking a series of retaliatory kidnappings between the two communities. Later in the day, SANA reported that internal security forces from neighboring Daraa province had launched an 'organized security deployment along the administrative borders' with Suwayda, with aims of 'preventing the violence from spreading and to contain any fallout that could impact stability, especially in eastern rural Daraa.' Suwayda Governor Mustapha al-Bakkour on the same day appealed for calm, urging all sides to 'exercise self-restraint and respond to national calls for reform.' Several Druze spiritual leaders echoed his call, demanding de-escalation and intervention from Damascus to restore order. The current hostilities mark the most significant outbreak of deadly violence in Suwayda since earlier this year, when clashes between Druze groups and Damascus-affiliated security forces resulted in dozens of casualties. While local leaders are reportedly attempting to mediate the current situation, no official intervention has yet been announced. Kurdish reactions The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeast Syria (Rojava) on Monday condemned 'the ongoing attacks and aggressions targeting the villages and towns' of Suwayda, 'which have led to the tragic loss of many lives and the burning and looting of numerous civilian homes and farms. 'The repeated attacks on our people in Suwayda, along with the continued harassment they face in their daily lives and freedom of movement, are deeply concerning,' the SDF said. The US-backed SDF serves as the de facto army in Rojava. The SDF's political arm, the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC), expressed "deep concern" over the rapidly unfolding events in Suwayda, warning they "pose a serious threat to civil peace and the fabric of national unity." The SDC linked the escalation to the "ongoing absence of a just and comprehensive political solution" for Syria. The Council further condemned 'the involvement of some elements from the Syrian regime's security apparatus' and their role 'in fueling the internal conflict." It also cautioned against "sectarian rhetoric and hate speech."
