Bahçeli Hails “Historic Transformation” in Turkey’s Peace Trajectory
According to the MHP leader, the disarmament process will be closely supervised through a rigorous and specialized technical monitoring system to ensure full implementation.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – In what is being described as a turning point in modern Turkish history, Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli hailed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s decision to lay down its arms and dissolve its organizational structure, calling the development a “historic transformation” in the country’s fight against terrorism and a gateway to a peaceful future.
"After 47 years of armed activity, the PKK has declared it is abandoning the armed struggle and dismantling its organization," Bahçeli said in an official statement on Monday. "This marks a historic milestone in our efforts to establish security and build a peaceful future for our nation."
A Critical Juncture for Turkey
Bahçeli emphasized that the Republic of Turkey is experiencing a pivotal moment, asserting that this move will reinforce national unity and usher in new opportunities for internal stability.
According to the MHP leader, the disarmament process will be closely supervised through a rigorous and specialized technical monitoring system to ensure full implementation.
He also extended his appreciation to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, and the Equality and Peoples’ Democracy Party (EDP) for what he described as their constructive roles during this transitional phase.
"The seeds of peace planted in Turkey have been nurtured with hope, and now, they are finally blooming," Bahçeli concluded.
Erdoğan: Turkey Marches Toward a Future Free of Terrorism
In a speech delivered Monday evening following a cabinet meeting at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, President Erdoğan asserted that Turkey is advancing resolutely toward a “terrorism-free” future.
“Today, as we witness the PKK’s announcement of its own dissolution, we recognize this decision as a significant contribution to national security, regional peace, and the eternal fraternity of the citizens of our republic,” Erdoğan stated.
He stressed that with terrorism and violence no longer part of the equation, Turkey is poised to enter a new era — particularly in enhancing its democratic and political capacities.
“The days when families across our nation were struck daily by tragic news are behind us,” Erdoğan said. “This resolution extends to all branches of the organization — whether in Syria, Iraq, or Europe. We consider this decision comprehensive and final.”
PKK Ends Armed Struggle, Declares Mission Accomplished
The PKK, which has waged an armed insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984 — a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives — formally announced on Monday, May 12, 2025, that it has dissolved itself.
In a statement published by a media outlet affiliated with the group, the PKK declared that it had “fulfilled its historical mission” and had brought the Kurdish issue in Turkey to a “point of resolution through democratic politics.”
The group’s 12th Congress, held between May 5 and 7 in the Qandil Mountains in the Kurdistan Region, reportedly resolved to “dismantle the PKK’s organizational structure, end the armed struggle, and cease all activities conducted in its name.”
The declaration marks the conclusion of over four decades of insurgency and, if effectively implemented, represents a fundamental shift in Turkey's internal dynamics and Kurdish political strategy.
