PKK confirms deaths of its co-founders in Turkish airstrike on Qandil

In its statement announcing self-dissolution, the terrorist organisation PKK confirmed that Riza Altun and Ali Haydar Kaytan — two of its co-founders — were killed as a result of operations conducted by the Turkish Armed Forces and the National Intelligence Organisation (MIT).

Turkish authorities had previously announced their elimination, but the PKK had denied the claims until today, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

The publication recalls that during a joint operation carried out by the MIT and the Turkish Armed Forces on March 21 of this year, Riza Altun — known as one of the close associates of PKK leader Cemil Bayik — and accompanying terrorists were neutralised in an airstrike in the Qandil region.

The operation, which dealt a serious blow to the organisation's personnel managing its regional networks, also served as a message to regional actors, showing that the PKK has no safe haven even in the inner areas of Qandil, where it had taken refuge from the Turkish military.

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has officially announced its dissolution, marking the end of a four-decade armed struggle against the Turkish state. This decision follows a call from the group's imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, and was formalised during the PKK's 12th Congress held from May 5 to 7, 2025.

The PKK stated that it has "completed its historical mission" and will cease all armed activities, transitioning towards democratic political engagement. The disarmament process will be supervised by relevant authorities in Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.

By Khagan Isayev