Latest news with #KCK
Rudaw Net
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PKK says no more disarmament until Ankara enacts reforms
Also in Turkey Turkish parties discuss forming PKK peace commission in parliament Parents find missing daughter during PKK disarmament ceremony Erdogan expects 'concrete' steps on commission overseeing peace with PKK KCK co-chair's mother longs for daughter's return A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A senior commander of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) said the group will not commit to further disarmament until Turkey makes legal reforms to address discrimination of its Kurdish population, and if Ankara fails to take action, then other groups will emerge and pick up the fight. 'Unless the Kurdish issue is removed from the realm of war, the ongoing struggle will only yield little results, but many groups will continue to perpetuate themselves through this war in Kurdistan,' Cemil Bayik, co-chair of the executive council of PKK umbrella group the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), said during an interview with the PKK-affiliated Sterk TV that aired on Friday. On May 12, the PKK announced its dissolution and intention to disarm after being urged to do so by their founder Abdullah Ocalan who said it was time to take the struggle for Kurdish rights into the political sphere. Bayik said one of the PKK's specific demands of Turkey is to allow Ocalan to work and communicate freely. The PKK's leader has been jailed in isolation on Imrali island since 1999. The group is also demanding the Turkish government 'develops freedom laws, develops democratic integration laws,' he added. Once that is accomplished, then the PKK will lay down its weapons. 'As long as this doesn't happen, no one can ask us to lay down our arms,' Bayik said. The PKK has declared a unilateral ceasefire and on July 11 had a ceremonial disarmament where 30 fighters, including commanders, burned their weapons. Bayik said they opted to burn the guns for several reasons. First, to make a symbolic gesture in the face of an increasing number of arms worldwide and the threat of conflict in the Middle East. Second, because the PKK doesn't want to 'fight or use weapons again. That's why the Turkish state needs to develop a legal basis. If it does, we don't want to use weapons again.' And third, the weapons were burned in line with Kurdish cultural traditions around fire. 'Kurds have a culture in their history; fire represents enlightenment, innovation, and new breakthroughs,' he said. Ankara has demanded full disarmament of the PKK. The spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Omer Celik, has said that all PKK fighters must lay down their arms within months. Parvin Buldan, a member of the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) and one of the team that has been leading peace negotiations, said that there is no timeline for the PKK's disarmament 'because we cannot solve a 50-year problem in two or three months.' Bayik said that additional disarmament beyond the ceremony that took place this month will not happen until Turkey makes legal and political reforms. The peace process will be guided by a parliamentary commission that is in the process of being established. Representatives of the parliamentary bloc of Turkey's political parties met with the parliament speaker on Friday and the commission will be formed within days. The commission has broad political support, except from the ultranationalist IYI Party. Bayik expressed reservations about the mandate of the commission, saying that its sole purpose cannot be disarmament. 'If the PKK armed itself, it wasn't because they wanted to use weapons. The Turkish state, through its policies and practices, forced them to do so. That's why the armed movement developed. If they don't want an armed movement, they need to change their policies. Only then will the problem be solved. The issue of weapons alone won't solve the problem,' he said. Kurds have been discriminated against under successive Turkish governments. At times, their language has been banned and their ethnicity denied. Today, many Kurdish politicians are in jail on vague terror-related charges. 'This movement [the PKK] has a single goal: freedom, democracy, and socialism. It was founded on this foundation when it was founded, and it continues to operate on this foundation,' said Bayik. 'This movement will never surrender.'
Rudaw Net
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Turkey's ruling party calls for dissolution of PKK affiliates
Also in Turkey Turkey's ultra-nationalist leader hails 'historic' PKK disarmament PKK says peace process cannot proceed unilaterally PKK disarmament ceremony to proceed without live broadcast: DEM Party Ocalan reaffirms PKK shift to peace, urges legislative oversight for peace process A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The spokesperson for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Friday called for the full dissolution of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliated groups, following a symbolic disarmament ceremony held in the Kurdistan Region. 'The process of dissolving the PKK, including all its branches and illegal structures, and the burning/returning of its weapons must be completed within a short time,' AKP spokesperson Omer Celik said in a post on X. 'The first step has been taken in the process of destroying/handing over PKK weapons in line with the goal of a 'Terror-Free Turkey',' Celik said, adding that they will 'remain vigilant against all provocation.' The PKK and its umbrella organization, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), are believed to be affiliated with a network of Kurdish resistance groups. These include the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) in Iran and the Shingal Resistance Units (YBS) in northern Iraq. Turkey considers the People's Protection Units (YPG), which form the backbone of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that functions as the de facto military of northeast Syria, to be an offshoot of the PKK, a designation the SDF has rejected. In February, SDF commander Mazloum Abdi said that PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan's call to disarm does not apply to the SDF. PJAK also announced in May that it would not disarm or dissolve, stating that Ocalan's message did not apply to them either. On Friday, 30 PKK fighters participated in a ceremonial disarmament widely seen as a gesture of goodwill. The group has said that further progress towards peace depends on the Turkish government taking reciprocal steps. The event followed a February appeal by Ocalan for the PKK to lay down its arms and pursue a political path to securing Kurdish rights in Turkey. In a video message released Wednesday, Ocalan reaffirmed the PKK's historic departure from armed conflict and repeated his call for the formation of a legislative commission to guide the peace process. On Thursday, the KCK expressed support for Ocalan's message but stressed that Ankara must also take concrete actions to ensure the success of the peace process. According to the PKK-affiliated ANF news outlet, KCK co-chair Bese Hozat was among the 30 PKK fighters - 15 women and 15 men - who laid down their arms during the ceremony in Sulaimani. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought an independent Kurdish state but has since shifted its focus toward securing greater cultural and political rights for Kurds in Turkey. The group is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Rudaw Net
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
Historic PKK disarmament ceremony draws in Kurdish leaders
Also in Kurdistan Kurdish political icon Layla Zana says Turkey must change terror law Rudaw launches major scholarship program in Erbil Drone downed over Peshmerga base near Sulaimani Top Iraqi delegation to attend PKK disarmament ceremony A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Representatives from across the Kurdish political spectrum, including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), are attending a PKK disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani province on Friday. Two senior members of the Kurdistan Community Union (KCK), an umbrella group that includes the PKK, are attending - co-chair of the KCK executive council Bese Hozat and executive council member Mustafa Karasu. The co-chairs of Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party - which is mediating talks between Turkey and the PKK - are also attending. From the Kurdistan Region, Dilshad Shahab is representing President Nechirvan Barzani and Tariq Ahmed is representing the Interior Ministry. The Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) is represented by Hemin Hawrami, who is attending on behalf of KDP leader Masoud Barzani, and a representative from the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) will also attend. Many other Kurdish politicians and activists are expected at the event. Iraq's intelligence agency is also sending a delegation. A first group of PKK fighters will disarm in a historic ceremony in the Kurdistan Region's Sulaimani province. The event marks a major milestone in a months-long peace initiative to end the four-decade conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The disarmament is in response to a February appeal from jailed PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan to abandon armed struggle in favor of a political solution. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought to establish an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its focus toward securing greater political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey. The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Rudaw Net
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PKK says peace process cannot proceed unilaterally
Also in Turkey PKK disarmament ceremony to proceed without live broadcast: DEM Party Ocalan reaffirms PKK shift to peace, urges legislative oversight for peace process Erdogan receives pro-Kurdish party delegation PKK-Ankara peace process entering 'new phase': Ocalan A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - An umbrella group that includes the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Thursday expressed its commitment to jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan's recent 'historic' message but stressed that Ankara also has to act in the peace process. 'We are determined to take the step Leader Apo [Ocalan] demands of us. We are taking this new step by thinking of our people and all peoples. However, this process cannot proceed unilaterally and only with the steps we take,' the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) said in a statement. Ocalan, in a video message recorded on June 19 and released Wednesday, announced the end of the PKK's armed struggle and renewed his call for the formation of a parliament commission to oversee the peace process with the Turkish government. The KCK said that the Turkish state 'has not taken any steps in response to the process or our actions,' but affirmed its commitment to Ocalan's message and the PKK disarmament process regardless. It further called for the release of Ocalan from prison, stressing 'only if Leader Apo is free can the process advance and achieve its goals. Otherwise, no further progress can be made under current conditions.' The PKK leader has been locked up in Turkey's secluded Imrali island since 1999 after being whisked away by Turkish intelligence agents in Nairobi, Kenya. A first batch of PKK fighters is set to disarm in a historic ceremony in the Kurdistan Region's Sulaimani province on Friday. The event marks a major milestone in a broader, months-long peace initiative led by Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), which aims to end the four-decade conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The ceremony also comes as the PKK responded to a February appeal from Ocalan to abandon armed struggle in favor of a political solution. Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought to establish an independent Kurdish state but has, in recent decades, shifted its focus toward securing greater political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey. The PKK is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union.
Rudaw Net
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Rudaw Net
PKK changes disarmament plan over security reasons
Also in Kurdistan PKK disarmament ceremony set for Friday in Sulaimani: DEM Party Around 60 French companies to invest in Kurdistan Region: Official Over 30 Westerners invited to PKK disarmament ceremony: Source Youth migration intensifies in Sulaimani town amid economic despair A+ A- ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A highly anticipated ceremony in Sulaimani marking the first phase of disarmament by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has been significantly scaled back due to 'changed security situations,' organizers announced. The Kurdistan Community Union (KCK), an umbrella group that includes the PKK, had previously extended invitations to Kurdistan Region political parties and journalists to attend the event. However, in a statement, the KCK confirmed that the ceremony will proceed without live broadcast or press attendance. 'We are deeply sorry for this and kindly ask for your understanding,' said Cudi Serhat of the KCK press office in an email to Rudaw English. He added that video recordings of the event will be shown later on a nearby screen. 'This will be the only way we can keep you informed,' the statement read, acknowledging that some guests may choose not to attend due to the last-minute changes. The event comes amid a broader initiative led by Turkey's pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) to resolve the four-decade-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state, which has claimed over 40,000 lives - mainly PKK fighters. In May, the PKK announced its dissolution, following a February appeal from its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan to abandon armed struggle in favor of a political solution centered on Kurdish rights. Ankara has cautiously welcomed the announcement with Turkish officials have stressed the need for tangible steps to fully complete the disarmament process. For its part, the PKK is calling for democratic reforms and expanded cultural and political rights for Kurds as conditions for lasting peace. Last week, Rudaw learned that the first group of PKK fighters is expected to disarm in the Kurdistan Region, marking a significant milestone toward ending the longstanding conflict. A DEM Party official confirmed on Monday that the event is scheduled to take place on Friday, June 11, in the Region's eastern Sulaimani province. Earlier the same day, a well-informed source speaking to Rudaw on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that "nearly 50 political, intellectual, and public figures from northern Kurdistan [southeast Turkey] and Turkey have been invited" to the ceremony. The source also said that "more than 30 parliamentarians, academics, and political figures from Europe and the United States will participate," adding that major international media outlets had been invited as well. However, given the KCK's recent announcement, it remains unclear how many of the invited guests and dignitaries will attend the scaled-down event in person.
