Erdogan's warning to PKK and separatists: Bury your weapons or be buried

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a stark warning to terrorists and separatists in Türkiye, declaring that they have no option but to surrender their weapons or face death.

Speaking in the northern city of Samsun, Erdogan stressed that the country’s patience with terrorism had run out, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

"We will no longer tolerate terrorists who serve as agents for imperialist forces, plotting against our region. These separatist murderers will either bury their weapons or be buried with them. There is no third option," Erdogan proclaimed.

He declared that the era of violence, weapons, and terror had come to an end. Erdogan specifically referred to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and its affiliated groups in Syria, calling their efforts obsolete.

"The time has come for everyone to accept this reality. There is no room for terrorism in our region. We have lived here for a thousand years, and we will continue to live freely in these lands for centuries to come," he said, emphasizing the importance of unity and respect to heal the divisions caused by the separatists.

Erdogan's comments come as the PKK has waged a violent insurgency against Türkiye since 1984, primarily operating from northern Iraq.

The group has carried out numerous attacks, leading to the deaths of over 40,000 people, including civilians, military personnel, women, and children. Despite several attempts at peace, the conflict remains unresolved, with ongoing instability in the region.

The PKK’s ideological foundation stems from its goal of creating an independent Kurdish state or autonomous Kurdish regions within Türkiye. Over time, its tactics have shifted from conventional warfare to asymmetric strategies, including bombings, assassinations, and ambushes. 

The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the European Union.

By Tamilla Hasanova