In a historic announcement, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Türkiye has achieved a monumental victory in its decades-long battle against terrorism, following the symbolic disarmament of PKK terrorists in northern Iraq.
“Today is a new day; a new page has opened in history,” Erdogan said on Saturday. “The 47-year scourge of terrorism has begun to end.”
The statement came a day after 30 PKK members reportedly burned their weapons outside a cave in northern Iraq. The act was seen by Ankara as a significant step toward dismantling the PKK’s armed presence in the region. Türkiye, along with the United States and the European Union, classifies the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) as a terrorist organization.
“This isn’t just the burning of weapons — it’s the burning of a dark chapter in our history,” Erdogan declared. “We are closing a painful and tear-filled period that cost countless lives and tested our unity.”
A New Chapter for National Unity and Reform
Framing the development as both a national healing moment and a political milestone, Erdogan reiterated his government’s commitment to building a terror-free Türkiye through democratic means and legal reform.
“We’ll establish a commission in our parliament to evaluate what legal steps need to be taken,” he said. “This will be a collective effort — a task for every lawmaker, every citizen who values peace.”
Erdogan praised the resilience of the Turkish people, calling the victory a shared achievement.
“Türkiye has won, my nation has won. Turks, Kurds, Arabs — all 86 million citizens of this country have won,” he said. “We do everything for our independence, our unity, and our shared future.”
The president underscored that the government would remain vigilant in protecting the nation’s sovereignty. “No one will trample our country’s honour. We will not bow our heads. We will never support any initiative that threatens our unity or our peace,” he said.
Disarmament in Iraq Seen as Symbolic but Crucial
Turkish media widely circulated Friday’s disarmament event, which showed militants surrendering their weapons in a fire ritual at the mouth of a cave. Analysts called the act symbolic but agreed it signals a shift in long-stalled efforts to end insurgent violence.
Security sources confirmed that Turkish forces had monitored the disarmament site for weeks. Tribal leaders and third-party mediators helped coordinate the event through indirect communication.
“This gesture does not mean the PKK has fully dissolved,” said a senior Turkish official who requested anonymity. “But it’s a crucial first step — a signal that some factions may be willing to lay down arms and move toward peace.”
The announcement comes as Türkiye steps up its regional diplomacy and economic development plans. With Ankara’s growing role in NATO and the Middle East, officials expect the political message of a “terror-free Türkiye” to resonate both at home and abroad.
Erdogan concluded his speech with a vision for the future. “This is not just an end — it is the beginning,” he said. “The dawn of a strong, united Türkiye is breaking. This is the Century of Türkiye.”
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