In a groundbreaking announcement on Sunday, October 26, 2025, a prominent Kurdish militant organization declared it is pulling its fighters out of Turkey and into Iraq. This crucial move is part of ongoing peace negotiations with the Turkish government, aiming to end a conflict that has spanned decades.
The statement, released from northern Iraq by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, comes several months after an initial symbolic act of peace. During that earlier phase, a contingent of their fighters had publicly laid down their arms, signaling a willingness to de-escalate tensions.
For more than forty years, the PKK has been embroiled in a bitter insurgency against Turkey, a conflict that has tragically claimed tens of thousands of lives since the 1980s. This withdrawal represents a major stride towards ending the violence.
Sabri Ok, a member of the KCK executive board (the umbrella group that includes the PKK), confirmed the decision. “To proactively prevent any potential clashes or provocations, we are currently relocating all our forces stationed within Turkey to the Medya Defence Area, with the full endorsement of our imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan,” the statement elaborated. This action underscores a concerted effort to foster a more stable and peaceful environment in the region.