A New Chapter in Turkey’s Peace Process
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has announced the withdrawal of all its fighters from Turkish territory — a move that marks a historic turning point in Turkey’s long-stalled peace process.
This step coincides with the National Unity, Brotherhood, and Democracy Commission (known as the Peace Commission) completing its final report on the legal and political framework for reconciliation.
After months of mistrust and political tension, this development could finally break the stalemate that has frozen negotiations between the Turkish state and the PKK.
Breaking the Cycle of Mistrust
For over a year, the peace process has suffered from mutual suspicion.
Ankara demanded that the PKK first disarm, while the PKK insisted on legal guarantees to protect its fighters before surrendering weapons.
Each side accused the other of stalling, and opposition parties in Turkey exploited the deadlock as a political weapon.
This cycle of distrust echoes the 2013–2015 peace process, when Abdullah Öcalan, the imprisoned PKK leader, initially ordered a withdrawal that was never fully carried out. The process collapsed — until now.
Today, in a press conference led by Sabri Ok, a senior PKK figure and member of the KCK Presidency Council, the group formally confirmed its withdrawal to the Media Defense Zones, signaling renewed commitment to peace.
A Step Toward Disarmament and Reconciliation
The PKK’s retreat demonstrates that it is serious about disbanding and disarming, following Öcalan’s guidance.
The move not only reduces the risk of clashes but also revives trust and dialogue at a time when skepticism was mounting.
Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and military intelligence reportedly oversee a mechanism to monitor this process. MIT chief İbrahim Kalın has briefed both the president and parliament, confirming that progress is “moving in the direction Turkey expects.”
Öcalan’s Message and the Symbolism Behind It
The withdrawal was directly ordered by Abdullah Öcalan.
During the press conference, a large photo of Öcalan hung behind PKK leaders — taken from a recent video message he sent to Qandil.
That message, reportedly encouraged by the Turkish state, aimed to prove that the peace process remains alive despite opposition media claims that it had stalled.
Both Öcalan and Turkish officials were said to be frustrated by the polarizing rhetoric of opposition parties, which risked undermining fragile progress.
The PKK’s Multi-Dimensional Move
Although Turkish officials have long asserted that the PKK no longer operates inside Turkey, this latest withdrawal suggests otherwise.
Around 25 fighters reportedly moved from Turkey into the Kurdistan Region, coordinated — at least indirectly — with Turkish intelligence and military channels.
This raises two important points:
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The PKK still maintained an armed presence within Turkey’s borders.
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The state’s inaction in creating a legal disarmament framework has slowed real progress.
By relocating fighters away from the frontier, the PKK is signaling that it wants to prevent provocations and eliminate excuses for conflict.
Next Steps: Vacating Bases and Disarming the SDF
As part of its broader field strategy, the PKK plans to vacate border hideouts and hand them over to the Turkish military for dismantling — a gesture of goodwill.
A further expected step is the withdrawal of PKK-aligned members from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), reinforcing a genuine effort toward regional peace and political normalization.
The Patience and Influence of Sabri Ok
One of the most notable figures in this process is Sabri Ok, a veteran leader within the PKK’s KCK Presidency Council.
Imprisoned from 1985 to 2005, Ok later oversaw PKK networks in Europe and participated in negotiations — including the 2006 ceasefire and the 2010 Oslo talks between the PKK and Turkish intelligence.
Known in intelligence circles as a key negotiator, Ok has long been described as the “shadow leader” of Kurdish political movements such as the Democratic Society Party (DTP) and later the Democracy and Peace Party (BDP).
His current leadership role adds significant credibility to the PKK’s latest initiative, underscoring its alignment with Öcalan’s vision for peace.
The Peace Commission’s Upcoming Report
The Peace Commission, after 15 nationwide hearings and nearly 960 pages of documentation, is preparing its final report to submit to the Turkish parliament.
Before publication, it is expected to consult with:
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MIT chief İbrahim Kalın
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Defense Minister Yaşar Güler
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Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya
Their intelligence updates will shape the final recommendations on the legal and security framework for the peace process.
A Legal Package for PKK Reintegration
Meanwhile, the Turkish National Intelligence Agency and the Ministry of Justice have completed a draft legal package addressing the PKK’s disarmament.
The proposed law would:
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Define the legal status of fighters after disarmament and return.
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Provide a roadmap for former PKK members and prisoners to reintegrate.
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Offer Kurdish politicians in exile opportunities to return and participate in the political process — alongside the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM).
This initiative reflects Ankara’s attempt to shift from a purely security-based approach toward a political resolution.
Conclusion: A Fragile but Real Opportunity
The PKK’s withdrawal marks a critical step toward ending decades of conflict.
If matched with legal reforms, transparency, and trust, it could revive a process once thought dead.
Yet, as history shows, peace in Turkey requires more than battlefield silence — it demands mutual confidence, political courage, and public accountability.
The question now is whether both sides will sustain the patience needed to transform this fragile progress into lasting peace.
