Turkey: PKK Withdrawal Decision Marks a Significant Step Toward Peace

The Turkish Presidency on Monday welcomed the announcement by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) of the withdrawal of its fighters from Turkish territory, describing the move as “a step in the right direction” toward ending the decades-long conflict.

Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz said in remarks carried by local media that “the PKK’s decision to withdraw its elements from Turkey and its borders represents an important step in the right direction,” adding that Ankara “is closely monitoring the process and looks forward to continued concrete progress in this direction.”

Yılmaz stressed that “the disappearance of the shadow of weapons will strengthen democratic politics and allow greater focus on economic development and social welfare across the country.”

The PKK had announced on Sunday the withdrawal of its fighters from Turkish territory, describing the decision as “a historic step and the beginning of the second phase of the Call for Peace and Democratic Society” launched by the group’s imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan from his cell on İmralı Island.

For his part, Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), stated that “what we are witnessing today is a tangible result of the efforts made to end a conflict that has persisted for four decades.”