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Türkiye is moving to the second phase of its strategy to eliminate terrorism following the PKK terrorist group's decision to lay down arms and dissolve itself, according to Turkish media reports.
The PKK has waged a four-decade terrorism campaign against Türkiye, claiming the lives of more than 40,000 people, including women and children.
According to a report in the Türkiye daily, the disarmament timeline, expected to take three months, will begin in June with the establishment of mechanisms across Türkiye, Iraq, and Syria.
"Two separate commissions will be established in Sulaymaniyah and Erbil for the handover of weapons," the report stated. "Officials from the Iraqi Central Government, Northern Iraq Administration, and (Turkish intelligence) MIT will work together in these commissions."
The disarmament process will be monitored by MIT around the clock, with special attention given to verifying whether the dissolution and disarmament process is genuine. Information will be gathered through various channels, observed, and reported.
The approximately 250 members of the PKK's so-called leadership cadre will not be permitted to remain in Iraq or Syria, according to the report. These individuals may relocate to third countries, but will not be allowed to remain together in a single country.
The report emphasizes that no third-country guarantor formula is on the agenda. Türkiye will manage this process in coordination with Iraq and Syria.
The process regarding the YPG, the Syrian branch of the PKK, will be coordinated with the Damascus administration. Both Türkiye and the Syrian government have consistently advocated for non-Syrian YPG members to be expelled from the country, while Syrian members would be integrated into the Damascus administration and allowed to form a legal political party.
The report stresses that "no autonomous structure or separate armed entity in northern Syria will be permitted under any circumstances."
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To counter the possibility of dissenters forming new armed groups, Türkiye plans to maintain a presence in the region for an extended period in both Iraq and Syria.
Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) sources quoted in the Türkiye daily report indicated that the observation process will take considerable time. "What matters after this stage is how these decisions will be implemented on the ground. The process after the PKK lays down its arms will take time to progress. Immediate results should not be expected."
The report notes that, according to MIT's field observations, some new steps toward democratization will gradually be implemented in Türkiye. However, these steps will not compromise Türkiye's red lines.
Another Turkish media outlet Hurriyet's columnist Abdulkadir Selvi outlined the steps of the process:
PKK has announced its decision to disarm and dissolve itself. This decision covers not only the PKK but also its umbrella organization, the KCK.
The PKK's disarmament decision will be verified in the field by MIT. This is expected to be completed by the end of June.
Centers where the PKK will surrender its weapons have been determined in Türkiye, Iraq, and Syria. The disarmament process will be monitored in each country through mechanisms established with that country. In Iraq, Iraqi state authorities will work with MIT; in Syria, Syrian state authorities will work with MIT; and in Türkiye, MIT will oversee the disarmament.
MIT has conducted comprehensive studies on the locations where the PKK will surrender its weapons. There are not just three centers as suggested in some reports. Additionally, the United Nations is not involved in the disarmament mechanism. These operations will be conducted by MIT in coordination with the countries where the PKK is present.
The state's acceptance that the PKK has disarmed will come after MIT Director Ibrahim Kalin submits his report to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. It will only be valid after Ibrahim Kalin presents a report stating, 'In our field checks, we have confirmed that the PKK has fulfilled its decision to dissolve itself and lay down its arms.'
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