KURDISTAN

Latest News

• Impressions from the ceremony by the Group for Peace and Democratic Society 

  On 27 February 2025, Abdullah Öcalan called on the PKK to dissolve itself. In the days that followed, the movement held its congress and announced its formal disbandment. On July 11, the Group for Peace and Democratic Society burned their weapons.
• July 13, 1930 - Zilan Valley massacre 

  On 13 July 1930, the last Ararat uprising was crushed in the Zilan valley. Eyewitnesses estimate that up to 55,000 people were killed in a cruel way. What we call the Kurdish question today was created during those years.
• KCK: The current process is based on the legacy of the July 14 resistance 

  “The current process initiated by leader Abdullah Öcalan is based on the legacy of the July 14 resistance that saved our people from annihilation and gave us the consciousness and will to struggle for freedom,” KCK said.
• Footage from the PKK’s weapon-burning ceremony 

  ANF cameras recorded the weapon-burning ceremony organized by the Group for Peace and Democratic Society in Sulaymaniyah on Friday.
• Burned weapons to be preserved in the Casenê Cave 

  Ako Xerîb, Director of the Sulaymaniyah National Security Museum, said that a procedure will be established tomorrow to decide on a special location and method for preserving the burned weapons.
• DEM Party members meet with KDP President Massoud Barzani in Hewlêr 

  During a meeting with a delegation from the DEM Party, KDP President Massoud Barzani said that he could visit Abdullah Öcalan if the appropriate conditions were met.
• PUK President Bafel Talabani receives DEM Party delegation in Sulaymaniyah 

  "Now is the time to heal the wounds and open a new chapter in North Kurdistan and Turkey—one built on peace and coexistence,” said PUK leader Bafel Talabani during a meeting with the DEM Party delegation.
• Bese Hozat: We burned the weapons, now the ball is in the other side’s court 

  KCK co-chair Bese Hozat spoke about the ceremony held today and said: "We took this step with a clear decision. It is a political action, and we want to see a response."
• Bafel Talabani: Guerrillas’ decision to start a new era is a historic step 

  Bafel Talabani released a message on the occasion of the Peace and Democratic Society Group's weapon destruction ceremony.
• Identities of the PKK guerrillas who took part in the disarmament ceremony 

  The names of 30 freedom guerrillas who participated in today’s disarmament ceremony have been revealed.
• Nechirvan Barzani vows to provide all support for the success of the peace process 

  Expressing support for the PKK's disarmament, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani said: “Everyone wins in peace and the victory of peace will serve Turkey, the entire region and everyone.”
• Images from the PKK disarmament ceremony 

  A group of guerrillas burned their weapons as part of the “Peace and Democratic Society Process” today.
• 30 guerrillas led by Besê Hozat lay down arms 

  Besê Hozat, co-chair of the KCK Executive Council, and a group of guerrillas took part in the ceremony to destroy the weapons in the name of the Group for Peace and Democratic Society.
• Group for Peace and Democratic Society: We voluntarily destroy our weapons 

  "In order to ensure the practical success of the “Peace and Democratic Society“ process, to wage our struggle with methods of legal and democratic politics, we voluntarily destroy our weapons as a step of goodwill and determination."
• Delegations arrive at the PKK disarmament ceremony venue 

  Delegations are arriving at the venue of the disarmament ceremony to be held by the Freedom Guerrillas.
• Amed residents: We witnessed a historic moment 

  A video message from Abdullah Öcalan after 26 years sparked emotional excitement among Amed residents, who described it as a historic moment.
• Delegation to attend the PKK ceremony heads to Sulaymaniyah  

  A delegation from Hewlêr (Erbil) in South Kurdistan set off towards the city of Sulaymaniyah, where the ceremony will take place.
• 150 people on their way to Sulaymaniyah: We will no longer carry coffins on our shoulders but peace 

  A delegation set out to attend the PKK's disarmament ceremony on Friday. Speaking in Cizre, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan said, “This is a historic turning point.”
• Relatives of Kocakaya, tortured to death by Turkish forces, sentenced to prison 

  Relatives of Mehmet Şirin Kocakaya, who was tortured and killed by Turkish state forces in Lice district of Amed in 2016, have been sentenced to 2,5 months in prison each.
• Shengal Autonomous Administration: We will intensify our struggle for the freedom of Leader Öcalan 

  The Shengal Autonomous Administration stated, “We find Leader Öcalan’s call for peace very meaningful and are delighted by it,” following the release of his first audio and video message after 26 years of imprisonment.
• Prof. Bezwan: Kurds must be prepared for the new period  

  Prof. Naif Bezwan stated that Kurdish society and politics must be prepared for the new period militarily, intellectually, strategically, and rhetorically, saying, “This time, Kurds must not miss out on their rights.”
• Kurdish parties call for action against the alarming wave of Iranian repression in Eastern Kurdistan 

  Political parties and organizations in Eastern Kurdistan and Iran issued a joint statement condemning the Iranian state's repression of political prisoners, dissidents, and civil society.
• KCK: We will take the step Leader Apo asked us 

  The KCK said: "We are determined to take the step that Leader Apo has asked us. We are taking this new step by thinking of our people and all peoples. However, this process cannot proceed unilaterally and only with the steps we take."
• Clash between the Herki tribe and KDP forces 

  Fighting broke out between KDP forces and Xurşid Herki, the military commander of the Herki tribe in southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq) yesterday evening.
• Iran hands death sentences, long prison terms to Kurdish civilians over ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ protests 

  Five Kurdish civilians were sentenced to a total of 11 death penalties, lengthy prison sentences, and financial penalties for their involvement in the ‘Jin, Jiyan, Azadi’ protests in Bukan.