Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Israeli Prime Minister's Office: The security cabinet has approved Netanyahu's proposal on Gaza.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The Lebanese Council of Ministers approved the general objectives of the US paper unanimously by the ministers who remained in the session.
Hezbollah, Amal Movement ministers withdraw from the Lebanese cabinet session as it discusses the proposal of US envoy Tom Barrack.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: An Israeli drone bombed a car in the town of Kfardan in the Baalbek district.
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: An Israeli raid targeted the outskirts of the town of al-Qatrani, Jezzine District
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent: Israeli warplanes launch a raid targeting the vicinity of the Burguz area
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of Jbaa in the Iqlim al-Tuffah region
Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in southern Lebanon: An Israeli airstrike targeted the outskirts of the town of Ansar
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in southern Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on the al-Mahmoudiyah area
New York Times: Trump plans to meet with Putin as soon as next week

'Turkey has won': Erdogan hails PKK disarmament

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 Jul 2025 13:56
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

President Erdogan says the disarmament of PKK militants marks a national turning point, pledging legislative reforms and unity efforts for a terror-free Turkey.

  • x
  • Turkey has won: Erdogan hails PKK disarmament
    Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan listens to questions during a press conference after the plenary session at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 25, 2025. (AP)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hailed the disarmament of PKK militants as a historic breakthrough, declaring it a pivotal moment in Turkey’s decades-long battle against terrorism.

"Today is a new day; a new page has opened in history," Erdogan said in a televised address on Saturday, framing the development as the beginning of a new era for the country.

His remarks came one day after 30 PKK fighters reportedly surrendered and burned their weapons at the entrance of a cave in northern Iraq, a symbolic gesture widely viewed as the first tangible step toward dismantling the armed wing of the Kurdistan Workers' Party. 

"ابتداءً من يوم أمس، دخلت بنية الإرهاب، التي استمرت 37 عاماً، مرحلة الانتهاء في تركيا"

الرئيس التركي رجب طيب #إردوغان خلال الاجتماع التشاوري الـ 32 لحزب العدالة والتنمية#تركيا pic.twitter.com/6mLpCaWwbC

— قناة الميادين (@AlMayadeenNews) July 12, 2025

"As of yesterday, the scourge of terrorism has entered the process of ending," Erdogan declared, adding that "Turkey has begun to close a painful and tearful chapter. The doors of a great, powerful Turkey have been flung wide open."

The president’s remarks were delivered with a tone of both triumph and reconciliation. Erdogan emphasized that this development marks not just a political milestone, but a national transformation.

Legislative reforms and unity efforts to follow

Looking ahead, Erdogan said his government will propose new legislation to facilitate the transition toward peace and national cohesion.

“We'll set up a commission in our parliament to discuss the legal requirements of the process,” he stated. “We will work together, shoulder to shoulder, and we’ll overcome all obstacles.”

Erdogan stressed that the moment belongs to the entire nation, not just his government or his party.

Related News

Turkey appoints new army chief in surprise reshuffle

Turkey, Egypt discuss Gaza aid, ceasefire talks: Reports

“Turkey has won, my nation has won. Turks, Kurds, Arabs; every one of our 86 million citizens has won,” he said. “Whatever we do, we do it for Turkey, for our nation, for our independence, for our future.”

In a pointed message aimed at fostering national unity, Erdogan extended a call for solidarity to the Kurdish communities in both Turkey and Iraq. “To the Kurds of Türkiye and Iraq: Your issue is our issue, and your safety is important to us,” he said, underscoring a shift in tone amid recent moves toward reconciliation.

Referencing the devastating Israeli genocide in Gaza, he framed the war as a stark warning against internal divisions, stressing that "What’s happening in Gaza today are some of the most horrific scenes in history, because Kurds, Turks, and Arabs chose division over unity."

Moreover, he reiterated his administration’s commitment to national sovereignty and internal peace, issuing a firm warning to any actors seeking to undermine the state.

“We will not let anyone trample on our country’s honour, and we will never bow our heads,” he said. “We will not participate in any initiative that threatens our unity, homeland, nation, or peace.”

He also framed the disarmament as a launching point for a renewed national vision.

“Today, the dawn of a great and powerful Turkey is breaking,” Erdogan said. “We are pursuing our project for a terror-free Turkey with this understanding. This is the Century of Turkey.”

Wider context

Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan announced the formal cessation of the banned group's armed campaign against Turkey on July 9, in a video message that constituted his first appearance since he was imprisoned in 1999.

In a June-recorded message published on Wednesday by Firat News Agency, Öcalan urged Turkey's parliament to establish a monitoring committee for voluntary disarmament and initiate comprehensive peace efforts.

Öcalan declared that the PKK has abandoned its separatist objectives and national liberation doctrine, asserting that with Kurdish identity now recognized in Turkey, the group's founding purpose has been achieved, making its armed struggle unnecessary.

The jailed leader of the PKK demanded that weapons be publicly handed over to official authorities to ensure transparency and demonstrate commitment to peace, while stressing the need for a legally recognized disarmament process supervised by parliament.

Turkey and the PKK came to an agreement aimed at ending the decades-long armed conflict and transitioning the group entirely into legal political activity, after reaching a ceasefire in March. 

  • Turkey
  • Recep Tayyip Erdogan
  • PKK
  • PKK disarmament

Most Read

Shiekh Naim Qassem giving a speech commemorating the anniversay of martyr Mohammed Saeed Izadi, August 5, 2025, in Lebanon

Sheikh Qassem threatens 'Israel', warns against foreign intervention

  • Politics
  • 5 Aug 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
Protesters chant anti-Israeli slogans as they carry a banner that reads:" Freedom for Palestine, Alliance stop the war," during a demonstration in support of Palestinians in Gaza, outside the Israeli embassy, in Athens, Monday, June 9, 2025 (AP)

Athens mayor slams Israeli ambassador over Gaza war, graffiti claim

  • Politics
  • 3 Aug 2025
Hezbollah says disarming Resistance is a blow to Lebanon’s sovereignty

Hezbollah to overlook cabinet decision; Amal urges corrective approach

  • Politics
  • 6 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lebanese president Joseph Aoun, centre, leads a Cabinet meeting which is supposed to discuss the disarmament of Hezbollah, at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, August 7, 2025 (Lebanese Presidency press office)
Politics

Hezbollah, Amal ministers walk out of cabinet over US disarmament plot

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid, line up as they wait to enter Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Khaled Elfiqi)
Politics

Only 188 of 800 promised aid trucks entered Gaza: Euractiv

Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India listens to Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer as they meet for bilateral talks at Chequers near Aylesbury, England, Thursday, July 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Trump doubles tariffs on India over Russian oil despite partnership

Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi during a speech in Sanaa, Yemen, August 7, 2025 (Al Mayadeen screengrab)\
Politics

Al-Houthi slams Gaza blockade, warns against disarmament, aggression

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS