PKK to Begin Disarmament, Erdoğan to Meet DEM Party Delegation Next Week

A key PKK faction is set to lay down arms in a televised ceremony in Iraqi Kurdistan. President Erdoğan confirms he will receive a DEM Party delegation to advance the “Terror-Free Turkey” initiative, while opposition concerns grow over simultaneous police operations targeting elected officials.

In a dramatic turn for Turkey’s decades-long Kurdish conflict, the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is preparing to lay down arms as part of a renewed peace process initiative. According to Iraqi Kurdish outlet Rûdaw, a group of 20–30 PKK members is expected to participate in a public disarmament ceremony in Sulaymaniyah between July 3–10, in what has been described as a “gesture of goodwill” and confidence-building step.

The event, to be held with press access, marks the first visible signal from PKK ranks that the group is serious about starting a political resolution process, with further steps expected following a public message from jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, anticipated in the coming days.

Weapons Surrendered, But No Relocation Planned

Rûdaw’s sources confirmed that the fighters surrendering their weapons will return unarmed to their original camps, rejecting previous reports suggesting they would be relocated to Iraqi cities.

The process is designed to demonstrate that disarmament is happening voluntarily and under international scrutiny. However, insiders caution that the timetable is conditional on political progress inside Turkey.

Erdoğan Confirms Upcoming Meeting with DEM Party

Speaking to reporters ahead of the expected developments, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan stated that Turkey is entering a new chapter under the “Terror-Free Turkey” vision. He confirmed that he will receive a DEM Party delegation led by Pervin Buldan and Mithat Sancar next week to discuss further steps in the peace process.

“We’ve always said disarmament must be unconditional, and the PKK must dissolve itself structurally,” Erdoğan said. “Now that the group has begun to act on this, the process can accelerate. We will meet with DEM to review the path so far and the roadmap ahead.”

The President also said that the Head of National Intelligence İbrahim Kalın and AK Party Vice Chair Efkan Ala would join the meeting, signaling the state’s full institutional backing.

No Room for Provocations or Parallel Agendas

While Erdoğan emphasized openness to dialogue, he also warned of potential provocations meant to derail the process.

“We will not leave this to chance. All institutions are carefully monitoring developments,” he said. “This is a turning point—not just for security, but also for our democracy and economy.”

Erdoğan dismissed concerns over divisions within the ruling coalition, stating that the People’s Alliance remains unified on the peace initiative.

No Constitutional Reform on the Table — For Now

Despite speculation, the upcoming parliamentary commission on the Kurdish question will not focus on drafting a new constitution, according to AK Party sources.

Opposition parties and AKP alike rejected MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli’s proposal for a 100-member body, citing logistical and political concerns. Instead, a 35-member commission is under discussion, with support from both DEM and Yeni Yol blocs. Talks on constitutional change appear to be on hold for now.

DEM Party Condemns Arrests of CHP Mayors

Meanwhile, tensions around the peace process escalated after recent police raids targeting opposition-held municipalities. DEM Party co-chair Tuncer Bakırhan condemned the detention of CHP mayors from Adana, Antalya, and Adıyaman, describing the operation as a direct attack on “democratic institutions and the people’s will.”

“These detentions deepen the rule of law crisis and damage any prospect of social peace,” Bakırhan said. “We need democratic reforms, not mass arrests.”

He warned that undermining local governance during such a delicate period could jeopardize national reconciliation.

Manavgat Raid Adds to Political Pressure

Bakırhan’s comments came as a separate investigation into Manavgat Municipality led to the detention of dozens, including the mayor. CHP leader Özgür Özel denounced the raid and announced an internal investigation within the party.

“We won’t allow our cause to be tarnished by a single video,” Özel said. “If wrongdoing is confirmed, we’ll act decisively. But we reject any use of the judiciary to harass elected officials.”

Özel added that calls for independent, fair, and transparent trials apply not only to DEM municipalities but to all parties, including CHP.

Outlook: High Stakes, Fragile Process

The upcoming week could be a defining moment for Turkey’s domestic peace and political trajectory. The disarmament event, if completed as planned, would mark the first public gesture of de-escalation by the PKK in nearly a decade.

Much now depends on whether both sides can sustain political discipline and institutional commitment as talks progress.

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