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PKK militants 'withdrawing from Turkey to Iraq'

October 26, 2025

The Kurdish group's move comes after its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his party to embrace the democratic process. The PKK are urging Turkish authorities to make concessions in exchange, including the release of Ocalan and allowing them to enter politics peacefully.

https://p.dw.com/p/52cBm

After four decades of conflict, the PKK begins withdrawing from Turkey to Iraq, signaling a historic shift toward peace. Once fighting for an independent Kurdish state, the group now seeks political integration and expanded rights. With over 40,000 lives lost, Kurds call for amnesty, language freedoms, and the release of their imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, while many simply hope for an end to bloodshed.

Nicholas Welsh News reporter and editor
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