A new dawn: Turkey prepares historic law to repatriate exiled PKK fighters
By zoeysky // 2025-11-13
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  • The Turkish government is preparing a new law to repatriate thousands of exiled Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) fighters. This is a landmark step aimed at ending a decades-long conflict that has killed over 40,000 people.
  • The war began in the 1980s after the PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in response to the severe repression of Kurdish rights.
  • In a major breakthrough, the imprisoned PKK leader declared an end to their armed struggle in early 2025. The group then announced a ceasefire and began the process of laying down its weapons.
  • The central plan involves bringing PKK members home from their bases in Northern Iraq. However, a major point of negotiation is what to do with the group's leaders, as Turkey wants them sent to a third country instead of returning, a move some fear could undermine the peace.
  • An official government commission is leading the process. The next steps involve verifying that the PKK is fully disarmed and dissolved, which will then allow for new laws to be passed. If successful, this could serve as a powerful model for resolving other long-standing conflicts.
In a landmark move signaling a potential end to one of the world's longest-running conflicts, the Turkish government is preparing legislation to repatriate thousands of exiled fighters from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). This law forms the cornerstone of a reconciliation process launched earlier this year, a daring initiative aimed at closing a bitter chapter that has spanned decades. The conflict between Ankara and the PKK began in the 1980s, rooted in the severe repression of Kurdish rights. The PKK took up arms against the Turkish state, initiating an insurgency that would claim over 40,000 lives over the next three decades. The group established bases in the rugged mountains of northern Iraq, from where it operated for years. The United States designated the PKK a Foreign Terrorist Organization – a label that has been a point of contention, with critics noting its arbitrary application. The path toward peace gained significant momentum in early 2025. In a historic declaration from his Turkish prison cell, PKK chief Abdullah Ocalan announced an end to the group's armed struggle. Heeding his call, the PKK declared an immediate ceasefire on March 1, and by July, its fighters had begun the tangible process of laying down their weapons. This reconciliation process has now moved to its most critical phase: bringing exiled members home. According to reports, the proposed law would facilitate the return of PKK fighters and their families from their long-standing hideouts in northern Iraq. The plan under discussion involves a structured return, beginning with approximately 1,000 civilians and non-combatants. They would be followed by about 8,000 fighters, each undergoing individual screening to ensure the process's security and integrity. However, a key point of negotiation remains to be the fate of the PKK's leadership. Turkey has so far rejected the repatriation of around 1,000 senior and mid-level figures, proposing instead that they be relocated to a third country, possibly in Europe. Some parties involved in the talks have expressed concern that excluding these top commanders could risk derailing the peace and potentially fuel a renewed insurgency in the future.

Turkish reconciliation commission outlines next steps for PKK repatriation

As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the PKK, a Kurdish group with origins in the late 1970s, first initiated an armed struggle against the Turkish government in 1984. This marked the beginning of a decades-long conflict driven by Ankara's fears of an autonomous Kurdish region emerging on its border, which it believed could be used to launch attacks against Turkey. Tayip Temel, a deputy of the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, which is collaborating with the government on the peace process, offered a different perspective. He stated that the work focuses on a comprehensive law for the "democratic and social reintegration" of all PKK members, with no plans for a phased return. While confirming that Ankara raised the idea of third-country relocation for some, Temel emphasized that any such move would require discussion with the potential host nations. The Turkish reconciliation commission, established in August, has outlined the next steps. The head of the commission, Numan Kurtulmus, explained that once Turkey's security units verify that the PKK has fully disarmed and completed its dissolution, the nation will enter a new phase of legal regulations aimed at building a "terror-free Turkey." Legislation to enable this historic repatriation could be presented to the Turkish parliament before the end of the year. If successful, this process could not only end a devastating conflict but also serve as a powerful model for resolving long-standing insurgencies through dialogue and courageous political will. Watch this video about Syria holding elections for the first time since Bashar al-Assad's ouster. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: TheCradle.co Reuters.com BBC.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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