PKK is laying down its weapons: What are the latest developments?

The PKK , which dissolved itself upon the call of Abdullah Öcalan, is expected to begin the process of laying down arms today. It was learned that the weapons will be handed over to the relevant units at a ceremony to be held today in the city of Sulaymaniyah in the Kurdistan Regional Government of Iraq (IKBY) with the participation of PKK leader Mustafa Karasu.

While this development was taking place, MİT Director İbrahim Kalın also held contacts in Erbil.

It was learned that a certain number of organization members will hand over their weapons to the relevant units in a program to be held in the Suleymaniye city of the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government on Wednesday, July 2.

The ceremony is expected to be led by former PKK Central Council member Mustafa Karasu. The disarmament ceremony is planned to be recorded and broadcast under the organization's control.

Mustafa Karasu is also expected to evaluate the process at the ceremony.

MIT PRESIDENT KALIN IS IN ERBIL

On the other hand, while these developments were taking place, MIT Director İbrahim Kalın met with Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) Chairman Masoud Barzani, KRG President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Deputy Prime Minister Kubad Talabani, Interior Minister Reber Ahmed and KRG Security Council Officials in Erbil, the capital of the KRG.

It was learned that the developments following the PKK's dissolution decision were discussed during the meeting.

WHAT HAPPENED DURING THE PROCESS?

On October 1, at the Opening Meeting of the 28th Term 3rd Legislative Year of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli shook hands with the executives of the DEM Party, whose predecessor HDP had previously called for its closure.

In his statement regarding his handshake with the DEM Party Group, Bahçeli said, "In politics, there is nothing that we cannot categorically disagree with anyone or any party, and that we cannot talk about and resolve."

Speaking at the MHP TBMM Group Meeting on October 15, Devlet Bahçeli called on Abdullah Öcalan on October 22, 2024 to "apply for the right to hope and speak at the DEM Party Group Meeting in the TBMM" on the condition that he dissolves the organization.

DEM PARTY'S RESPONSE

DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan responded to Bahçeli's call by saying, "Mr. Öcalan made a call to Bahçeli. But he does not know that the isolation imposed on Öcalan must be lifted in order for that call to reach its addressees. Öcalan has not been able to meet with his family and lawyers for 43 months. Mr. Bahçeli, we are also curious about what Öcalan will say, what kind of a call he will make, just like you. Then lift the isolation, let's all watch and see what Öcalan says to his own organization, his own friends. Is it a waste of time to make a call to an island that has been deserted for 43 months, where not a single bird or caravan has passed, and where not even birds have flown over?"

THE FIRST MEETING WITH ÖCALAN WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 28

DEM Party Van Deputy Pervin Buldan and Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder met with PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in İmralı on December 28, 2024. Pervin Buldan and Sırrı Süreyya Önder made a written statement regarding the meeting with Abdullah Öcalan.

Abdullah Öcalan had said in his statement, "I have the ability and determination to make the necessary positive contributions to the new paradigm that Mr. Bahçeli and Mr. Erdoğan have empowered." Öcalan had said, "The delegation will share this approach with both the state and political circles. In light of these, I am ready to take the necessary positive steps and make the call."

Abdullah Öcalan had called on the PKK to lay down its arms and dissolve itself. Öcalan, who said, "I am calling on them to lay down their arms and I assume the historical responsibility of this call," had stated that the PKK had come to the end of its life.

Announcing the decisions of the congress held today between May 5-7, the PKK announced that the organizational structure was dissolved and the armed struggle method was ended.