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Iraq does not want the PKK/KCK's ringleaders to remain on its territory, boosting an option to send them to third countries under Türkiye's supervision, as the terrorist group's caves in the Gara and Hakurk regions are set to be cleared after Metina, Turkish security sources told the Türkiye daily.
The ringleaders, who are excluded from a planned law offering some sentence reductions, cannot come to Türkiye, and Qandil will also be fully evacuated, leaving a third-country formula under Turkish supervision as the leading option, the sources said.
After the Metina evacuation, one of the group's key logistics hubs, shelters along the Gara and Hakurk line will be cleared next, and all caves on the route to Qandil will be destroyed in stages, with the process possibly completed by January, the sources said.
Weapons at the shelters are first given forensic records, while weapons, ammunition, explosives, drones, paramotors, satellite radios and other equipment are listed by Türkiye's National Intelligence Organization (MIT) before being destroyed, the report said.
Caves, including some with hospitals inside, are then blown up so they cannot be reused.
The evacuations are carried out in stages under MIT supervision, in coordination with the northern Iraq administration, the report said.
PKK members are being pulled back to Qandil, which was chosen as the final gathering point to avoid scattered groups, the sources said, adding returns to Türkiye will take place via Qandil.
"They are gathering there and being listed. Afterward there will be transfers from Qandil. How many there will be and how they will come is being determined. Lists will be given to consulates and customs. Special desks will be set up at these places," the sources said.
Sinjar evacuation is being carried out under the Iraqi government’s supervision, the sources said, adding the process there would work similarly to Syria.
"Those here will come to Türkiye if they wish, or stay in Iraq if they wish. If this area is cleared of terrorism, Türkiye will evacuate the Bashiqa base. The return of civilians to Türkiye will be ensured. Perhaps the first group to come to Türkiye will be from Sinjar," they said.
Iraq's National Security Adviser Qasim Aboudi recently said the goal is to end the "armed presence" on Mount Sinjar within approximately one month, noting significant progress has been made towards resolving the situation in Sinjar, and that the armed individuals are expected to descend from the mountains and surrender their weapons to the state.
He added that assurances have been given regarding the integration of the armed individuals into security institutions, stating that approximately 1,500 people have been incorporated into the armed forces, and that efforts are underway to assign 500 women to the "community police."
Abbudi also stated that plans are in place to integrate approximately 1,500 to 2,000 more people into the armed forces or civilian institutions.
Addressing debate over whether the terrorist group’s jailed ringleader Abdullah Ocalan would receive an official status, the sources said, "He will not have an official role. There is no such thing as a chairmanship of a Disarmament and Peace Board. At present, Ocalan is taking part in the process of the organization’s dissolution. This is normal anyway."
"Also, there is no villa on Imrali. There is a section with two rooms and a work area. He will stay in this space," they said.
The PKK/KCK evacuated four shelters, named Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason, in Metina’s Baze area on Oct. 8, Turkish security sources said earlier this week.
The group announced its dissolution in May 2025 and burned weapons in a ceremony near Sulaymaniyah in July 2025, as attention now turns to the fate of the PKK’s ringleaders.
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