Editing Kurdistan Workers' Party (section)

=== 2010s–2020s ===

==== 2013–2015 peace process ====
{{main|Kurdish–Turkish peace process}}
In late 2012, the Turkish government began secret talks with Öcalan for a [[2013–2015 PKK–Turkey peace process|ceasefire]].<ref name="Peace">{{cite news |date=9 May 2013 |title=Peace at the end of a long PKK struggle? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2013/05/20135985316524633.html |access-date=10 May 2013 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> To facilitate talks, government officials transmitted letters between Öcalan in jail to PKK leaders in northern Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planned PKK pullout heats up Turkey politics |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/05/201357182319457288.html |access-date=25 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Uras |first=Umut |date=8 May 2013 |title=Turkey's pullout politics |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2013/5/8/planned-pkk-pullout-heats-up-turkey-politics |access-date=13 June 2021 |website=www.aljazeera.com |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> On 21 March 2013, a ceasefire was announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Letsch |first=Constanze |date=7 May 2013 |title=Kurds dare to hope as PKK fighters' ceasefire with Turkey takes hold |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/07/kurds-pkk-turkey-peace-talks |access-date=13 June 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> On 25 April, it was announced that the PKK would leave Turkey. Commander [[Murat Karayılan]] remarked "As part of ongoing preparations, the withdrawal will begin on May 8, 2013. Our forces will use their right to retaliate in the event of an attack, operation or bombing against our withdrawing guerrilla forces and the withdrawal will immediately stop."<ref>{{cite web |title=PKK sets date for withdrawal from Turkey |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/04/201342513922579836.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |website=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> The semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq welcomed the idea of refugees from its northern neighbor.<ref name="Baghdad">{{cite news |date=9 May 2013 |title=Baghdad opposes PKK armed groups in Iraq |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201359133815629930.html |access-date=10 May 2013 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> The BDP held meetings across the region to state the pending withdrawal to concerned citizens. "The 8th of May is a day we both anticipate and fear," said party leader Pinar Yilmaz. "We don't trust the government at all. Many people here are afraid that once the guerrillas are gone, the Turkish military will crack down on us again."<ref name="dare">{{cite news |last=Letsch |first=Constanze |date=7 May 2013 |title=Kurds dare to hope as PKK fighters' ceasefire with Turkey takes hold |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/07/kurds-pkk-turkey-peace-talks |access-date=10 May 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

The withdrawal began as planned with groups of fighters crossing the border from southeastern Turkey to northern Iraq.<ref name="Peace" /> Iraqi leadership in Baghdad, however, declared that it would not accept armed groups into its territory. "The Iraqi government welcomes any political and peaceful settlement", read an official statement. "[But] it does not accept the entry of armed groups to its territories that can be used to harm Iraq's security and stability."<ref name="Baghdad" /> The prospect of armed Kurdish forces in northern Iraq threatens to increase tensions between the region and Baghdad who are already at odds over certain oil producing territory. PKK spokesman Ahmet Deniz sought to ease concerns stating the plan would boost democracy. "The [peace] process is not aimed against anyone," he said "and there is no need for concerns that the struggle will take on another format and pose a threat to others."<ref name="Baghdad" />

It is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 PKK fighters resided in Turkey at the time.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} The withdrawal process was expected to take several months even if Iraq does not intervene to try to stop it.<ref name="Baghdad" /> On 14 May 2013, the first groups of 13 male and female fighters entered Iraq's Heror area near the Metina mountain after leaving Turkey. They carried with them Kalashnikov assault rifles, light machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers before a welcoming ceremony.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/20135147251149191.html PKK fighters arrive in Iraq under peace deal – Middle East]. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 July 2013.</ref>

On 29 July 2013, the PKK issued an ultimatum in saying that the peace deal would fail if reforms were not begun to be implemented within a month.<ref>{{cite web |title=PKK sets ultimatum for Turkey peace deal – Europe |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/07/20137291195529967.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> In October, Cemil Bayik warned that unless Turkey resumed the peace process, the PKK would resume operations to defend itself against it. He also criticized Turkey of waging a proxy war against Kurds during the [[Syrian Civil War]] by supporting other extremist rebels who were [[Rojava conflict|fighting them]].<ref>{{cite web |title=PKK threatens to renew fight in Turkey – Europe |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/10/pkk-threatens-renew-fight-turkey-201310226444407255.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> As part of the civil war, many PKK fighters laid down arms in Turkey and moved to Syria, facilitating the creation of a [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria|progressive Kurdish government in Rojava]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Americans Shouldn't Accept Erdogan's Cynical Stance on the PKK |url=https://www.aei.org/op-eds/americans-shouldnt-accept-erdogans-cynical-stance-on-the-pkk/ |work=American Enterprise Institute – AEI}}</ref>

Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani backed the initiative saying, alongside Erdogan: "This is a historic visit for me ... We all know it would have been impossible to speak here 15 or 20 years ago. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has taken a very brave step towards peace. I want my Kurdish and Turkish brothers to support the peace process."<ref>{{cite web |title=Iraq's Kurdistan backs Turkey peace efforts – Middle East |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/11/iraq-kurdistan-backs-turkey-peace-efforts-201311161740245104.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

==== 2014 action against Islamic State and renewed tensions in Turkey ====
{{main|2014 Kobanî protests}}
[[File:Kurdish_PKK_guerilla.jpg|thumb|220x220px|A Kurdish PKK guerrilla in 2014.]]
The PKK engaged the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) forces in Syria in mid-July 2014<ref>{{cite web |date=15 July 2014 |title=PKK joins battle against Isil |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/region/syria/pkk-joins-battle-against-isil-1.1360183 |access-date=14 August 2014 |work=Gulf News}}</ref> as part of the Syrian Civil War. In August the PKK engaged IS in Northern Iraq and pressured the Government of Turkey to take a stand against IS.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dorian Jones |date=25 July 2014 |title=Turkish Kurds Want Ankara to Declare Stance on ISIL |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkish-kurds-want-ankara-to-declare-stance-on-isil/1965256.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Voice of America}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=13 September 2011 |title=Forming the anti-ISIL Front – VERDA ÖZER |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/forming-the-anti-isil-front.aspx?PageID=238&NID=70169&NewsCatID=466 |access-date=14 August 2014 |work=Hürriyet Daily News}}</ref> PKK forces helped tens of thousands of [[Yazidis]] escape an encircled [[Sinjar Mountains|Mount Sinjar]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Joe Parkinson |date=18 August 2014 |title=Iraq Crisis: Kurds Push to Take Mosul Dam as U.S. Gains Controversial Guerrilla Ally |url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/kurds-with-u-s-aid-push-to-take-mosul-dam-1408322338 |access-date=21 August 2014 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In September 2014, during the [[Siege of Kobanî]], some PKK fighters engaged with [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] forces in Syria who were attacking Kurdish city Kobane, which resulted in conflicts with Turks on the border and an end to a cease-fire that had been in place over a year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurdish militants claim deadly ambush in Turkey's southeast |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-militants-claim-deadly-ambush-turkeys-southeast-1343877279#comment-1276 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111215037/http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-militants-claim-deadly-ambush-turkeys-southeast-1343877279#comment-1276 |archive-date=11 November 2014 |access-date=25 June 2015 |work=Middle East Eye}}</ref> The PKK said Turkey was supporting ISIS. The PKK participated in many offensives against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.<ref name="AJA-6-2015">{{cite news |date=11 June 2015 |title=Exclusive: Inside the PKK's front-line fight against ISIL |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2015/6/11/isis-pkk-sinjar.html |access-date=11 June 2015 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>
[[File:Kurdish_newroz.jpg|thumb|Mass demonstration for the PKK and freedom of [[Abdullah Ocalan]] in the Turkish city of [[Van, Turkey|Van]] during [[Newroz]]]]
A number of Turkish Kurds rallied in large-scale street protests, demanding that the government in Ankara take more forceful action to combat IS and to enable Kurdish militants already engaged against IS to more freely move and resupply. These protests included a PKK call for its supporters to turn out.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 October 2014 |title=Kurds protest against Turkey as IS advances on Kobane |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29518448 |access-date=14 October 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Clashes between police and protesters killed at least 31 people. The Turkish government continued to restrict PKK-associated fighters' movement across its borders, arresting 260 [[People's Protection Units]] fighters who were moving back into Turkey. On 14 October, Turkish Air Force fighter-bombers attacked PKK positions in the vicinity of Daglica, Hakkari Province.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 October 2014 |title=Turkish jets bomb Kurdish PKK rebels near Iraq |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29611582 |access-date=14 October 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Turkish military statements stated that the bombings were in response to PKK attacks on a Turkish military outpost in the area. The Firat news agency, which Al Jazeera describes as "close to the PKK", stated that Turkish forces had been shelling the PKK positions for days beforehand and that the PKK action had itself been retaliation for those artillery strikes.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 October 2014 |title=Turkey bombs Kurdish PKK targets in south |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/10/turkish-jets-bomb-pkk-targets-southeast-2014101492853176434.html |access-date=14 October 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> The PKK had already reported several Turkish attacks against their troops months before Turkish bombing started.

==== July 2015 – March 2025: Third insurgency ====
{{main|Timeline of the Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency (2015–2025)}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| header            = YBS and PKK guerrillas
| width             = 200
| image1            = Yezidi YBŞ Fighters (37813092875).jpg
| alt1              = 
| image2            = Kurdish_PKK_Guerillas_(11945682954).jpg
| footer            = [[YBŞ]] and PKK guerillas in [[Northern Kurdistan|Northern]] and [[Southern Kurdistan]] in 2017
}}
In the months before the parliamentary election of 2015, as the "Kurdish-focused" HDP's likelihood of crossing the 10% threshold for entry into the government seemed more likely, Erdogan gave speeches and made comments that repudiated the settlement process and the existence of a Kurdish problem and refusing to recognize the HDP as having any role to play despite their long participation as intermediaries.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tastekin |first=Fehim |date=6 May 2015 |title=Will Erdogan's backtracking torpedo PKK disarmament? – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/05/turkey-kurds-pkk-no-farewell-to-arms.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303085346/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/05/turkey-kurds-pkk-no-farewell-to-arms.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |work=[[Al-Monitor]]}}</ref> These announcements increased distrust of the government's good faith among Kurdish leaders. In July 2015, Turkey finally became involved in the war against ISIL. While they were doing so, they decided to bomb PKK targets in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 July 2015 |title=Turkey, US to create 'ISIL-free zone' inside Syria – DIPLOMACY |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-us-to-create-isil-free-zone-inside-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=85906&NewsCatID=510 |website=Hurriyetdailynews.com}}</ref> The bombings came a few days after PKK was suspected of assassinating two Turkish police officers in [[Ceylanpınar]], [[Urfa|Şanlıurfa]], criticized by the PKK of having links with ISIS after the [[2015 Suruç bombing]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurdish group claims 'revenge murder' on Turkish police |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/kurdish-group-claims-revenge-murder-turkish-police-150722132945249.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |quote=The armed wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has claimed responsibility for killing two Turkish police officers, saying the murders were reprisals for a suicide attack in the border town of Suruc. 'A punitive action was carried out... in revenge for the massacre in Suruc,' the People's Defence Forces (HPG) said in a statement on its website on Wednesday, accusing the two officers of cooperating with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The two police officers were found shot dead at their home in the town of Ceylanpinar on the border with Syria, two days after the Suruc suicide attack that killed 32 people, mostly ethnic Kurds.}}</ref><ref name="capelouto-tuysuz-cnn-2015">{{cite news |last1=Capelouto |first1=Susanna |last2=Tuysuz |first2=Gul |date=25 July 2015 |title=Turkey arrests hundreds of suspected terrorists, Prime Minister says |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/25/middleeast/turkey-syria-isis-attacks/index.html |work=CNN |quote='We will not stay silent in the face of those who kill our police officers in their sleep,' Davutoglu said, referring to PKK's assassination of two Turkish police officers Wednesday. [...] The statement also referred to the slaying of the two police officers, calling it an act of "retribution" carried out by "local branches" without orders from central PKK command.}}</ref> The PKK has blamed Turkey for breaking the truce by bombing the PKK in 2014 and 2015 continuously.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

In August 2015, the PKK announced that they would accept another ceasefire with Turkey only under [[United States|US]] guarantees.<ref>{{cite news |title=PKK urges US to mediate in its war with Turkey and admits to secret talks with Washington |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11806481/PKK-urges-US-to-mediate-in-its-war-with-Turkey-and-admits-to-secret-talks-with-Washington.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11806481/PKK-urges-US-to-mediate-in-its-war-with-Turkey-and-admits-to-secret-talks-with-Washington.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=1 January 2016 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan has condemned the Turkish airstrikes in its autonomous region in the north of Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iraq Kurds condemn Turkish airstrikes on PKK – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/contents/afp/2015/07/turkey-syria-attacks-army-iraq-kurds.html |work=Al-Monitor}}{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

The number of casualties since 23 July was stated by Turkish government to be 150 Turkish officers and over 2,000 Kurdish rebels killed (by September).<ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2015 |title=Scores killed in clashes between Turkish forces and Kurdish rebels |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/9/29/scores-killed-in-clashes-between-turkish-forces-and-kurdish-rebels.html |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> In December 2015, Turkish military operation in southeastern Turkey has killed hundreds of civilians, displaced hundreds of thousands and caused massive destruction in residential areas.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 December 2015 |title=Turkey's Campaign Against Kurdish Militants Takes Toll on Civilians |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/world/europe/turkey-kurds-pkk.html?hpw&rref=world&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=22 December 2015 |title=Turkey: Mounting Security Operation Deaths |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/12/22/turkey-mounting-security-operation-deaths |work=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>

In March 2016, the PKK helped to launch the [[Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement]] with nine other Kurdish and Turkish revolutionary leftist, socialist and communist groups (including the [[Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist|TKP/ML]], [[Marxist–Leninist Armed Propaganda Unit|THKP-C/MLSPB]], [[Maoist Communist Party (Turkey)|MKP]], [[Communist Labour Party of Turkey/Leninist|TKEP/L]], [[Union of Revolutionary Communists of Turkey|TİKB]], [[Revolutionary Communard Party|DKP]], [[Devrimci Karargâh|DK]] and [[Marxist–Leninist Communist Party (Turkey)|MLKP]]) with the aim of overthrowing the Turkish government of [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]].<ref name="anfenglish.com">{{cite web |date=12 March 2016 |title=Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement established for a joint struggle |url=http://www.anfenglish.com/news/peoples-united-revolutionary-movement-established-for-a-joint-struggle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314061916/http://www.anfenglish.com/news/peoples-united-revolutionary-movement-established-for-a-joint-struggle |archive-date=14 March 2016 |access-date=14 March 2016 |agency=Firat News Agency}}</ref>

In November 2022, an [[2022 Istanbul bombing|explosion]] took place on [[İstiklal Avenue]] in [[Istanbul]]'s [[Beyoğlu]] district that left at least six people dead and 81 injured. [[Ministry of Interior (Turkey)|Minister of Interior]] [[Süleyman Soylu]] formally accused the PKK of being behind the attack and announced the arrest of the bomber who had alleged links to the organization and twenty-one others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Istanbul Attack: Suspect Arrested After Six People Killed, Govt Says PKK Responsible |url=https://thewire.in/world/istanbul-attack-suspect-arrested-after-six-people-killed-govt-says-pkk-responsible |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=The Wire}}</ref>
[[File:2022_Gaziantep_attack_(1).jpg|right|thumb|The school after the 2022 Gaziantep attack]]
On <span class="anchor" id="2022_Gaziantep_attack">21 November 2022</span>,<ref>{{Cite news |title=21 kasım 2022 gaziantep roket saldırısı |url=https://eksisozluk.com/21-kasim-2022-gaziantep-roket-saldirisi--7474949 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121113319/https://eksisozluk.com/21-kasim-2022-gaziantep-roket-saldirisi--7474949 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |access-date=8 March 2025 |work=ekşi sözlük |language=tr-TR}}</ref> at approximately 11:00 [[Time in Turkey|TSI]], a [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] attack targeted a [[school]], two houses, and a truck in the Karkamış district of [[Gaziantep]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=GAZİANTEP KARKAMIŞ'A ROKET SALDIRISI! |url=https://m.haberair.com/default.asp?page=haber&haberid=62848 |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=www.haberair.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'e roket saldırısı: 3 kişi hayatını kaybetti |url=https://www.siyasetcafe.com/gaziantepe-roket-saldirisi-3-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti-96521h.htm}}</ref> The [[assault]] claimed the lives of a 5-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman,<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Soylu: Karkamış'ta 2 kişi öldü, 10 kişi yaralandı |url=https://yetkinreport.com/2022/11/21/gaziantep-valisi-karkamisa-roket-atildi-2-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti/ |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=Yetkin Report |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'in Karkamış İlçesine Roket Saldırısı |url=https://www.voaturkce.com/a/gaziantepin-karkamisa-roket-saldirisi-3-olu/6843300.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'in Karkamış İlçesine Roket Saldırısı |url=https://www.voaturkce.com/a/gaziantepin-karkamis-ilcesine-roket-saldirisi/6843346.html}}</ref> while 6–10 individuals sustained injuries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'in Karkamış İlçesine Roket Saldırısı: Bir Çocuk ve Bir Öğretmen Hayatını Kaybetti |url=https://www.voaturkce.com/a/gaziantep-karkamis-ilcesine-roket-saldirisi-bir-cocuk-ve-bir-ogretmen-hayatini-kaybetti/6843675.html |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=www.voaturkce.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep Karkamış'a roket saldırısı: Biri çocuk üç kişi yaşamını yitirdi |url=https://yesilgazete.org/gaziantep-karkamisa-roket-saldirisi-biri-cocuk-uc-kisi-yasamini-yitirdi/amp/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=YPG Gaziantep'e roket saldırısı düzenledi: 3 kişi hayatını kaybetti |url=https://www.mepanews.com/ypg-gaziantepe-roket-saldirisi-duzenledi-3-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti-56529h.htm}}</ref>

In October 2024, the PKK claimed responsibility<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kurdistan Workers' Party claims deadly Ankara attack – DW – 10/25/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/kurdistan-workers-party-claims-deadly-ankara-attack/a-70598114 |access-date=27 October 2024 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> for a deadly attack on [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]] (TUSAŞ) headquarters, resulting in 5 deaths, including four civilians, and 22 injuries. Following this attack, the Turkish air force conducted airstrikes targeting positions of the PKK in northern Syria and Iraq. The Turkish defense ministry reported the destruction of 32 targets during these operations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruhiyyih Ewing |first=Giselle |date=23 October 2024 |title=Turkey strikes PKK forces in Syria, Iraq after lethal Ankara attack |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-pkk-forces-syria-iraq-ankara-attack/ |access-date=24 October 2024 |website=Politico}}</ref>

In November 2024, British police arrested seven people in London as part of a counter-terrorism investigation linked to the PKK. Searches were carried out at eight locations, including the Kurdish Community Centre, which would be closed for up to two weeks. Authorities assured the public there was no imminent threat and informed the Kurdish community that the operation was aimed at ensuring safety.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 November 2024 |title=UK counter terrorism police arrest seven over 'PKK activity' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-counter-terrorism-police-arrest-six-over-pkk-activity-2024-11-27/ |access-date=28 November 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

==== Disarming and disbanding as part of peace effort ====
In February 2025, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader [[Abdullah Öcalan]] urged all members of the group to lay down arms and dissolve the organisation for good.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Ocalan: Kurdish PKK founder who urged his fighters to disarm |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250227-ocalan-kurdish-pkk-founder-who-urged-his-fighters-to-disarm |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jailed PKK ringleader Ocalan calls for terror group's dissolution |url=https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/jailed-pkk-ringleader-ocalan-calls-for-terror-groups-dissolution-18269472 |access-date=27 February 2025 |work=TRT World}}</ref> In a statement read out by the deputies of the pro-Kurdish [[Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party]] (DEM), Öcalan called on the PKK to convene its congress, lay down its arms and dissolve itself, arguing that the party "has completed its life like its counterparts and necessitated its dissolution".<ref>{{cite news |title=Jailed Kurdish leader calls for PKK to disarm – in shift that could shake up Turkey and Middle East |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/27/pkk-leader-calls-on-kurdish-militant-group-to-disarm-signalling-start-of-fragile-peace-with-turkey |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Imprisoned Kurdish leader urges PKK to disarm and disband as part of peace effort with Turkey |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/imprisoned-kurdish-leader-urges-pkk-to-disarm-and-disband-as-part-of-peace-effort-with-turkey/7990140.html |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> He also called for an alliance between Turks and Kurds and for peaceful coexistence,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ocalan calls for PKK's disbandment, laying arms |url=https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Ocalan-calls-for-PKK-s-disbandment-laying-arms |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=Shafaq}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=After four decades of conflict, Öcalan urges PKK to lay down arms, disband |url=https://caliber.az/en/post/after-four-decades-of-conflict-ocalan-urges-pkk-to-lay-down-arms-disband |access-date=27 February 2025 |work=Caliber}}</ref> quoting the positive political approaches of President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] and calls for peace by [[Nationalist Movement Party]] [[Devlet Bahçeli]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=PKK leader Öcalan calls on banned Kurdish group to dissolve |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/27/pkk-leader-abdullah-ocalan-calls-on-kurdish-group-to-lay-down-arms |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ocalan orders the PKK to dissolve in a historic statement |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ocalan-dissolve-pkk-historic-statement |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Ocalan calls for PKK to drop weapons, be dissolved |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/ocalan-calls-for-pkk-to-drop-weapons-be-dissolved/ |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>

Between 5–7 May, the PKK's 12th Party Congress convened. The organisation announced its own dissolution on 12 May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2025 |title=Full text: PKK's statement on disbanding decision |url=https://bianet.org/haber/full-text-pkks-statement-on-disbanding-decision-307344 |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=bianet.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Daren |last2=Toksabay |first2=Ece |date=12 May 2025 |title=Kurdish PKK disbands and ends 40-year Turkey insurgency |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kurdish-pkk-dissolves-after-decades-struggle-with-turkey-news-agency-close-2025-05-12/ |website=[[Reuters]].}}</ref> The decision was appreciated by Turkish authorities. President Erdoğan characterised it as "important", stating that they have now "crossed another critical threshold" toward the goal of a terror-free Turkey.<ref name="newregion">{{cite web |author=Gashtyar Akram |date=12 May 2025 |title=Reactions pour in from Turkey as PKK announces disbandment |url=https://thenewregion.com/posts/2250/reactions-pour-in-from-turkey-as-pkk-announces-disbandment |accessdate=16 May 2025 |publisher=The New Region}}</ref> Foreign Minister [[Hakan Fidan]] described the PKK's self-dissolution as "a historic and important decision", saying that "practical steps will be taken after this".<ref name="newregion" />