World · Middle East · 4 hrs ago
PKK withdraws from four camps in northern Iraq as peace process advances
The Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, has withdrawn fighters from four camps in the Baze area of northern Iraq’s Metina region, near the Turkish border.
Turkish security sources say the camps were evacuated on October 8, and the PKK has also said it pulled forces from positions near the border.
The move is part of a peace process between Turkey and the PKK, whose armed conflict began in 1984 and has killed tens of thousands of people.
The PKK announced in 2025 that it would disband after a call from its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, and later held a symbolic weapons-destruction ceremony.
In August, Turkey’s parliament approved a law that could suspend some sentences and investigations for former PKK members, but the measures depend on confirmation that the group has fully disarmed and dissolved.
Turkish officials say the withdrawal allows the process under that law to move forward, with possible social integration programs for former members.
The PKK’s withdrawal is a step in the process, but the law’s measures still depend on the group ending its activities and handing over its weapons.
PKK militants withdrew from four camps in northern Iraq on October 8, according to reports citing Turkish security sources.
The camps were Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason in the Baze area of the Metina region, near the Turkish border.
The withdrawal is reported as part of a peace process intended to end decades of conflict between the PKK and Turkey.
The PKK said it had withdrawn fighters from positions near the border, while senior leader Murat Karayılan said the move followed dialogue and internal discussions.
Turkish authorities say the PKK must end its military activities and hand over its weapons before measures under a law passed in August can take effect.
- Who
- PKK militants withdrew from the camps. Turkish security sources reported the move.
- What
- The militants vacated four camps in northern Iraq as part of a peace process.
- When
- The camps were vacated on October 8, according to reports.
- Where
- The camps were in the Baze area of the Metina region in northern Iraq, near the Turkish border.
- Why
- The withdrawal was presented as part of a process to disband the PKK and end decades of conflict.
PKK
Turkish authorities
Cause of withdrawal
PKK
Murat Karayılan said the withdrawal followed dialogue and internal discussions, rejecting the suggestion that Turkish forces had driven the group out.
Turkish authorities
Turkish authorities say intelligence must verify that the PKK has ended its military activities and handed over its weapons and ammunition before measures under the law can take effect.
Conditions for peace
PKK
Karayılan said the process should go beyond ending the armed campaign and surrendering weapons, and called on Turkey to stop treating Kurds outside its borders as enemies.
Turkish authorities
The Turkish statement said the law’s process requires the cessation of PKK activities and described social integration programs for members returning to Turkey.
The peace process between Turkey and the PKK began, according to the Straits Times.
The PKK announced it was disbanding following a call by its jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan.
PKK militants began symbolically destroying weapons at a ceremony in northern Iraq.
Turkey’s parliament passed a law setting out measures for the PKK’s dissolution.
The four camps in northern Iraq were vacated, according to reports citing Turkish security sources.
- Camps
- Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason
- Location
- Baze area, Metina region, northern Iraq
- Withdrawal date
- October 8, 2026
- Group
- Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)
- Turkish law
- Parliament approved a conditional amnesty measure in August
- Insurgency began
- 1984
What people are saying
both within and outside of Turkey, that could be considered near the border
a few days ago
from four war tunnels and positions in Metina, west of Zap
Following the cessation of PKK activities in all areas, social reconciliation will be achieved with organization members who will return to Turkey in the later stages of the process, benefiting from the law
Sources
Kurdish PKK militants pull out of four camps in northern Iraq as part of peace process with Turkiye
Kurdish militants quit 4 camps in northern Iraq as part of peace process
Turkish intelligence confirms PKK withdrawal from 4 bases in northern Iraq
Kurdish PKK militants quit some camps in north Iraq, Turkish sources say
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