The imprisoned leader of the Kurdistan Workers' Party has renewed his call for fighters to disarm. Abdullah Ocalan emphasized in a video message on Wednesday the importance of abandoning armed conflict and embracing peace through politics.

Thirty Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants burned their weapons at the mouth of a cave in northern Iraq on Friday (July 11) , marking a symbolic but significant step toward ending a decades-long insurgency against Turkey. Zachary Goelman produced this report.

As Kurdish armed group PKK started disarmament today as part of its dissolution, Turkey claimed it as a ‘milestone’ and an ‘irreversible turning point’ in the Turkish-Kurdish conflict.

A group of 30 Kurdish fighters have ceremonially burned their weapons in northern Iraq, marking a major step toward ending a decades-long insurgency.

Kurdistan President Nechirvan Barzani hailed the PKK’s disarmament as a key step toward peace, reaffirming support for the process. The move, backed by Turkish leaders, marks a historic shift after decades of conflict.

As the president’s traditional support wanes, he is seeking a risky deal with the Kurds to buy a political lifeline. But is there too much mutual mistrust for a deal?

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants will begin surrendering their weapons in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, marking the start of a peace process with Turkey. This decision follows a call by jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan and meetings between Turkish officials and the pro-Kurdish DEM party.

A few dozen fighters are planned to destroy their fighters in a symbolic disarmament ceremony. There will be no journalists present and the event will not be broadcast live as part of new security measures.