PKK Terror Group Disarms as Fighters Destroy Weapons in Iraq
In a symbolic and widely publicised move, a group of PKK terrorists laid down their arms and destroyed them in northern Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah province on Friday, marking a significant step in the group’s announced dissolution.
Emerging from a cave in the Surdas sub-district, the group — which included several female members — walked toward a designated area where they threw their weapons into a large burning cauldron. The disarmament was observed by representatives from Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT), Iraqi officials, Kurdish Regional Government members, Türkiye’s DEM Party, NGOs, and media outlets.
This action follows the PKK’s May declaration that it would disband, a decision prompted by a February message from imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, who urged an end to the group’s armed struggle that has spanned over 40 years.
The Turkish government has not only waged a military campaign against the PKK but has also expanded its efforts diplomatically. Years of lobbying have led to a significant decline in the group’s freedom to operate, fundraise, and spread propaganda internationally — particularly across Europe and the Middle East.
Türkiye’s increasing influence through regional partnerships, energy diplomacy, and economic ties has allowed it to disrupt the PKK’s overseas networks and push its security concerns to the forefront of global discussions.
The PKK, designated a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the US, and the EU, is blamed for the deaths of over 40,000 people — including women, children, and the elderly — in its decades-long insurgency. The group has long used mountainous regions in northern Iraq to launch attacks into Türkiye.
