Tuncer Bakirhan, DEM Party co-chair speaks to Rudaw on July 7, 2025. Photo: Screengrab/Rudaq
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The co-chair of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), Tuncer Bakirhan, confirmed to Rudaw on Monday that he will attend a disarmament ceremony for the first batch of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters in Sulaimani. He further confirmed that the event will take place on Friday.
In an interview with Rudaw's Shawkat Harki, the DEM Party leader stated, "The disarmament ceremony will be held on the 11th of this month, and we will be in attendance."
Bakirhan further confirmed that the event, taking place in the Kurdistan Region, is expected to draw "representatives of parties who will come from Turkey, workers' organizations, women's and youth organizations." He expressed optimism, stating, "God willing it will proceed without problems."
The DEM Party has been leading a months-long initiative to help resolve the four-decade-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state, which has resulted in over 40,000 casualties - primarily PKK fighters.
The PKK announced its dissolution in May, following a February call from its jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to cease armed conflict and pursue a political resolution for Kurdish rights.
Ankara has cautiously welcomed this announcement, emphasizing the need for concrete steps to complete the disarmament process. The PKK, in turn, is seeking democratic reforms and expanded cultural and political rights for Kurds as part of the peace process.
Last week, Rudaw learned that the first group of PKK fighters is slated to disarm in the Kurdistan Region, signifying a major step towards ending the prolonged conflict.
Earlier on Monday, A well-informed source, speaking to Rudaw anonymously due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that "nearly 50 political, intellectual, and public figures from northern Kurdistan [southeast Turkey] and Turkey, have been invited" to the Sulaimani event.
The source further noted that "from Europe and [the United States of] America, more than 30 parliamentarians, academics, and political figures will participate," and "all major international media outlets have been invited."
The Kurdistan Community Union (KCK), an umbrella organization that includes the PKK, has also extended invitations to Kurdistan Region political parties and journalists.
During the disarmament ceremony in Sulaimani, PKK fighters are expected to destroy their weapons rather than hand them over to any other authority, according to information obtained by Rudaw.
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