Ankara prepares for return of PKK militants from Iraq and Syria

Ankara is reportedly establishing a framework to facilitate the return of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants from Iraq and Syria, provided they surrender their weapons. According to the Turkish newspaper "Turkiye," citing sources, PKK members in Iraq will engage with special units at Turkish missions in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, where designated points for arms surrender will be set up.

Turkish authorities anticipate the disarmament process to be completed within two months, contingent upon the ratification of a "National Unity Law." However, the proposed mechanism will exclude the PKK's leadership based in the Qandil mountains, meaning around 200 commanders and 1,000 members will not be eligible for this return program.

The PKK announced its dissolution in May 2025, following a call from its leader for disarmament. Negotiations are ongoing regarding the legal framework for this settlement process. Reports have also surfaced about meetings between the PKK's jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan, and the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party. Despite these developments, "Turkiye" indicates that the provisions of the draft law will not apply to Öcalan or the organization's leadership, who will remain imprisoned on İmralı Island.