Transfer of PKK Forces from Turkey to Iraq
The terrorist organization PKK announced in a statement that its armed elements inside Turkey’s borders are being transferred to Iraq. This statement was read by one of the group’s leaders at the foothills of Mount Qandil near the city of Sulaymaniyah in Iraq. At the site of the announcement, a group of 23 armed PKK members, said to have come from Turkey to Iraq, were also present.
The statement emphasized that the PKK has decided, in line with the decisions taken at the May congress under the leadership of Abdullah Öcalan, to end its organizational existence and armed activities. It was also declared that the group’s armed elements inside Turkey’s borders would be transferred to northern Iraq with Öcalan’s approval.
In another statement, released as “breaking news,” the terrorist organization PKK declared: “We are withdrawing all our forces from Turkey.” The statement added that the organization’s activities in Turkey would be completely halted and that this process is passing through a critical stage.
According to the full text of the statement, this process began with Abdullah Öcalan’s call for “peace and a democratic society” on February 27, 2025. Following this, a ceasefire was declared on March 1, and subsequently, the 12th PKK Congress was held from May 5 to 7. At this congress, a decision was made to end the organizational existence and the strategy of armed struggle.
Continuing this process, on July 11, a group of 30 people led by Bese Hozat, Co-Chair of the KCK Executive Council, burned their weapons in a ceremony. The statement stressed that these steps were taken only with the approval and guidance of Abdullah Öcalan and demonstrated the organization’s determination to implement the decisions of the 12th Congress.
Another part of the statement noted that the planned withdrawal of PKK forces from inside Turkey to the Media Defense Areas in northern Iraq had begun, and that some groups had already reached these areas. It was also stated that similar measures were being taken at border positions to prevent possible clashes.
At the end of the statement, the PKK addressed the people, especially women and youth, calling for mobilization to ensure the success of the “peace and democratic society process,” and emphasized that “the manifesto of peace and democratic society will definitely prevail.”
