PKK’s exit - proof of Türkiye roadmap’s success, says ruling MP

Ömer Çelik, a representative of Türkiye’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), stated that the decision by the Kurdish organisation PKK to fully withdraw its fighters from Türkiye is a result of implementing the “roadmap” toward achieving a “terror-free Türkiye.”

“The PKK’s decision to withdraw its forces and announce new steps toward disarmament are concrete results of progress in implementing our ‘roadmap’ for creating a ‘terror-free Türkiye,’” Çelik said on X, commenting on the organization’s statement, per Caliber.Az.

He noted that Ankara intends to exercise necessary caution to protect the peace process from any provocations.

“We are aware that the chaos unfolding in our region is driven by political, intelligence, and sabotage activities. In response, we are resolutely following the outlined course,” the AKP representative emphasised.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organisation by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has been engaged in a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, seeking greater Kurdish rights and initially an independent state. Founded in 1978 by Abdullah Öcalan, the group has historically operated from southeastern Türkiye’s mountainous regions, such as Diyarbakır and Şırnak, while establishing significant bases in northern Iraq’s Qandil, Zap, and Metina regions. These areas, particularly the rugged terrain of Zap and Metina, have served as logistical hubs for training, arms storage, and cross-border operations due to their proximity to Türkiye and difficult accessibility.

The reported evacuation aligns with the PKK’s October 26, 2025, announcement of a complete withdrawal from Türkiye, following its 12th Congress (May 2025) and Öcalan’s February 2025 call for self-dissolution. This move, coupled with a March 2025 ceasefire and symbolic weapons destruction in July, signals a potential de-escalation. The evacuation of Zap and Metina camps suggests a strategic retreat to avoid further Turkish strikes and reduce border tensions, though it raises questions about the PKK’s future operations and the reintegration of fighters. The fragility of this process hinges on Türkiye’s response and potential reforms addressing Kurdish rights, as unresolved grievances could undermine peace efforts.

By Khagan Isayev