Kurdish PKK militants burn weapons in landmark step to end decades-long Turkey conflict

A historic ceremony in northern Iraq on Friday marked the first steps toward peace in one of the Middle East’s longest-running conflicts. Fighters from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) laid down their arms, signaling a potential end to nearly 50 years of insurgency against the Turkish state.

Around 30 militants gathered inside the ancient Casene cave near Sulaymaniyah. They placed their weapons in a cauldron, which was later set on fire. Politicians and observers attended the event, though journalists were not allowed into the area.

The militants read a statement declaring their decision to continue the “struggle for freedom” through peaceful and democratic means. “We hereby, of our own free will, and in your presence, destroy our weapons,” they said.

This move follows a May announcement by the PKK. The group said it would end “all activities” and dissolve, following a call by its jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan.

Founded by Ocalan in 1978, the PKK has long fought for Kurdish rights in Turkey. The group originally demanded independence but later shifted to calls for autonomy and cultural recognition.

The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives. The PKK remains listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States.

Friday’s disarmament is seen as a major milestone. A senior Turkish official called it an “irreversible turning point.” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also weighed in.

“Today marks an important step,” Erdogan posted on X. “May Almighty God grant us success on this path to a terrorism-free Turkey and lasting peace in our region.”

Turkish media closely followed the ceremony, showing helicopters circling overhead and convoys heading toward the cave. While official coverage was limited, the event was widely viewed as a positive signal.

In a rare video this week, Ocalan urged the Turkish parliament to form a commission to oversee the broader peace process. The PKK believes the Kurdish issue can now be resolved through democratic politics.

This is not Erdogan’s first attempt at peace. In 2013, he led talks with the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP). The effort collapsed in 2015, followed by crackdowns on Kurdish political figures.

Selahattin Demirtas, a former HDP co-leader and presidential candidate, remains in prison. Turkish authorities accuse him of undermining national unity, though international groups have criticized the charges.

Human Rights Watch described the accusations as “vague and wide-reaching.” The European Court of Human Rights has also called for Demirtas’s release.

Bese Hozat, co-chair of the PKK’s executive committee, spoke at Friday’s ceremony. She reaffirmed the group’s intent to pursue peaceful solutions within the framework of law and democracy.

Kurds make up about 15% to 20% of Turkey’s population, according to Minority Rights Group International. They also have a strong presence in northern Syria, northern Iraq, and Iran.

Despite years of conflict, many Kurds in Turkey seek greater autonomy and cultural recognition rather than full independence. Turkish leaders, however, have often linked these demands to separatism and terrorism.

Experts say the shift in PKK strategy may open new paths for dialogue. Still, trust remains fragile, and both sides will need to navigate deep-rooted tensions.

Political analyst Cengiz Aktar told Al-Monitor, “This is a significant gesture, but it needs to be followed by real political steps, especially from Ankara.”

For now, the burning of weapons in Casene cave stands as a hopeful image one that may represent the start of a new chapter for Turkey’s Kurdish population and the broader region.

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