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President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared Sunday that Türkiye's efforts to eliminate terrorism have reached the "final stretch," as columnist Abdulkadir Selvi revealed new details about ongoing PKK disarmament operations being overseen by Turkish intelligence services.
"We have reached the final stretch," Erdogan said during a speech in Ahlat. "A little more patience, a little more effort, and of course with caution, Allah willing, we will pass this stretch and reach our intended destination with ease."
According to Selvi's column in Hurriyet, Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) is actively managing a disarmament process involving the PKK terrorist group in both northern Iraq and within Türkiye, with operations proceeding "according to the determined schedule."
Selvi reported that MIT continues field operations to oversee the PKK disarmament process while maintaining discretion due to the sensitive nature of the operations.
"While some are on vacation, MIT is in the field managing PKK's disarmament process," Selvi wrote.
"The disarmament process, by its nature, is proceeding away from public view. President Erdogan is being briefed at every stage," he added.
The columnist emphasized that Erdogan's statement about reaching the "final stretch" should be taken seriously, noting, "If Erdogan says we've come to the final stretch, it means he has other information. That's why I say pay more attention to President Erdogan's speech in Malazgirt today."
Selvi detailed significant developments in Iraq, where the PKK's headquarters are located. A trilateral mechanism involving the Iraqi central government, Türkiye, and the regional administration has been established and is operational.
"PKK's weapons depots, caves, and tunnels are being identified and transferred," Selvi wrote, adding that the disarmament process is not limited to "a symbolic burning of weapons by a group led by Bese Hozat."
The Turkish Parliament's commission investigating terrorism is expected to complete its hearings by the end of August and begin working on legal aspects in September, according to Selvi's report.
"Changes to the Turkish Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Law, and Counterterrorism Law are expected to be prepared by October," Selvi wrote.
"After Parliament opens on October 1, the legal infrastructure for the process will be established," he noted.
The situation in Syria follows a different trajectory, according to Selvi's analysis. Despite a March 10 agreement between Mazlum Abdi and Ahmed al-Shara for the integration of the PKK-affiliated SDF into the Syrian army, resistance continues.
"SDF has not been given unlimited time. They will either integrate or be eliminated," Selvi wrote.
The Syrian presidency announced on March 10 that an agreement was signed for SDF integration into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting division attempts.
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, announced its dissolution in May during a congress. This move followed a February call by the group's imprisoned ringleader, Abdullah Ocalan, to end decades of attacks.
The SDF is dominated by the YPG, identified as the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist organization.
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