DEM Party Delegation Arrives in Erbil Ahead of PKK Disarmament Ceremony

By Ahora Qadi

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – A high-ranking delegation from the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), headed by veteran Kurdish politician Ahmet Türk, arrived in Erbil on Thursday, to participate in a symbolic disarmament ceremony of a group of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members scheduled to take place Friday in the Raparin region.

The delegation was received at Erbil International Airport by Fawzi Hariri, Head of the Kurdistan Region Presidency Diwan. The ceremony is intended as a gesture of goodwill in response to an earlier peace appeal made by imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

Unified Call for Peace

In a statement issued Thursday, the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) affirmed its support for the new peace initiative led by Ocalan, stressing the importance of collective engagement: “No side alone can carry the peace process forward. It must be a shared responsibility,” the KCK said.

Ocalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, released a powerful new video message on Wednesday, July 9, in which he called for a “morally grounded and historic response” to what he described as a decisive moment in the Kurdish struggle and Turkey’s democratic future.

From Armed Resistance to Democratic Transition

In his message, Ocalan reaffirmed the historic peace appeal he first issued on Feb. 27, 2025, and emphasized that the current situation must be acknowledged as a legitimate outcome of the broader struggle. He paid tribute to the sacrifices made by Kurdish fighters and called for a transition from armed resistance to a legal and democratic political process.

“The creation of a disarmament mechanism means the process is advancing. This must be understood not as defeat, but as a historical victory,” Ocalan said, calling for the swift implementation of disarmament measures.

He further explained that the PKK’s founding objective—resisting the denial of Kurdish identity—has now been realized, and that the original mission, once centered on armed struggle, must evolve. “Now, the goal that once required arms must be carried forward through democratic means,” he stated.

KCK Declares Support for Ocalan’s Vision

Following Ocalan’s message, the KCK declared that it would carry out his proposed steps and support the transition he envisions. “We welcome this new phase with the will of our people,” the statement read. However, the group emphasized that any peace process must be inclusive and collective.

The KCK reiterated its longstanding demand for Ocalan’s release, describing his imprisonment as a major obstacle to achieving a sustainable democratic solution in Turkey. “The democratic society Ocalan envisioned cannot come to fruition while he remains in prison,” the group said.

Strategic Significance of the Erbil Visit

The arrival of the DEMP delegation in Erbil underscores the symbolic and practical importance of the Kurdistan Region as a neutral and supportive space for dialogue and peace building efforts. Friday’s planned ceremony in Raparin will mark the first public disarmament event since Ocalan’s renewed call for peace, and is expected to draw attention from regional actors and international observers.

As the process unfolds, both civil and political Kurdish movements have called for restraint, unity, and strategic coordination to ensure the current opportunity for peace is not lost.

A Critical Juncture

Observers say that the developments represent the most serious revival of the Turkish-Kurdish peace process in years, and potentially the beginning of a transformative phase in regional Kurdish politics. The emphasis on inclusive negotiation and strategic disarmament suggests that momentum may be building toward a post-conflict democratic future—if all parties remain committed.

DEMP Party Delegation Arrives in Erbil Ahead of PKK Disarmament Ceremony

A DEM Party delegation arrived in Erbil for a PKK disarmament ceremony following Ocalan’s peace call. The KCK backed his vision, urging democratic transition over armed struggle. This marks a pivotal moment… pic.twitter.com/ycsWVEmByh

— Kurdistan 24 English (@K24English) July 10, 2025