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The historical leader of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), Abdullah Öcalan, preempted the anticipated disarmament of PKK fighters by stressing the need for a “vital framework” to ensure the success of the peace process with Turkey.

In a video message released Wednesday by Firat News Agency, which is close to the PKK, Öcalan promised that the group’s disarmament would happen “swiftly.”

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“In line with the commitments we have made, the armed struggle must voluntarily come to an end and transition into a legal process and democratic politics,” he declared.

He added that “appropriate methods will be defined, and concrete steps will be taken quickly” to carry out the disarmament.

Öcalan also revealed that “a parliamentary committee is currently being formed in Turkey to facilitate voluntary disarmament within a legal framework.”

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He went on to stress the importance of establishing a “vital political framework” to ensure the peace process between the PKK and Turkey succeeds.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi city of Sulaymaniyah is preparing to host the first field phase of implementing the historic decision to end armed conflict with Ankara—marking the most significant development since the PKK announced its dissolution.

On Tuesday, Turkish channel NTV reported that PKK fighters will begin handing over their weapons in batches at a designated site in Sulaymaniyah, following arrangements finalized in recent weeks in cooperation with Kurdish security authorities.

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The entire disarmament process is expected to last between two and five months. According to the report, those laying down their weapons will remain in Iraq and cease all PKK-related activities.

This follows the PKK’s announcement in May that it would dissolve, in response to Öcalan’s February appeal to end the armed conflict that has lasted more than four decades and claimed over 40,000 lives.

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Ömer Çelik, spokesperson for Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), stated that the disarmament could begin “within days,” noting progress in the talks without specifying an exact timeline. NTV reported that the first groups of fighters are expected to surrender their weapons on Friday in Sulaymaniyah.

Two sources from within the PKK confirmed that preparations are underway in coordination with Kurdish security authorities. A local security official added that the disarmament process will take place under the supervision of representatives from Iraq’s central government, reflecting a notable level of trilateral cooperation between Baghdad, Erbil, and Ankara.

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