Erdogan hails Kurdish disarmament as turning point
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed on Saturday the decision by a group of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters to burn their arms, describing it as a historic moment of unity for Turks and Kurds alike.
The disarmament, which took place on Friday, marks a potential shift in the PKK’s trajectory toward political engagement, ending nearly four decades of armed conflict with the Turkish state. The move follows a call by the group’s jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan, from his prison on Imrali Island.
Speaking at the 32nd Consultation and Evaluation Meeting of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Erdogan stated: “Today marks a new day, a new chapter in history. The doors to a great, strong Türkiye — Century of Türkiye — have been fully opened.”
He emphasized the government’s commitment to facilitating the disarmament process with sensitivity and care.
Addressing the broader Kurdish issue, Erdogan noted that this is not only about Kurdish citizens within Turkey, it is also for the Kurds in Syria and Iraq.
Erdogan also announced that a parliamentary committee will be formed to review the legal implications of this new phase, and to prepare for the legal reforms required.