The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish militant group that has waged a four-decade-long insurgency against Turkey, announced on May 12, 2025, its intention to disband and cease all armed activities. This landmark decision follows a party congress held in northern Iraq and comes after the group’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, called in February for a permanent ceasefire and the dissolution of the organization.
In a statement released by the PKK’s affiliated media, the group declared that it has “fulfilled its historical mission” and resolved to dismantle its organizational structure and end its method of armed struggle. The announcement marks a significant step toward potentially ending one of the longest-running conflicts in the Middle East, which has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths since the 1980s.
The PKK’s insurgency originally sought an independent Kurdish state but has more recently shifted toward demands for greater autonomy within Turkey. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, the United States, and other Western countries.
The disbandment decision is part of a broader peace initiative with the Turkish government, which welcomed the move as “an important step toward a terror-free Turkey.” While details on the implementation of the disarmament and future political arrangements remain unclear, the PKK expressed confidence that Kurdish political and democratic actors will take responsibility for advancing Kurdish rights through peaceful and democratic means.
This announcement comes amid shifting regional dynamics and offers hope for lasting peace after decades of violence that have affected Turkey, northern Iraq, and Syria. The PKK’s decision to end armed resistance and dissolve its structures could pave the way for renewed dialogue and reconciliation in the region.