One year after the historic weapon-burning ceremony

On 11 July 2025, a ceremony was held at Jasana Cave in Sulaymaniyah, where 30 fighters from the "Peace and Democratic Society Group" symbolically burned their weapons. The event was organized in response to leader Ocalan's "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society" and was regarded as a historic milestone in efforts to find a solution to the Kurdish issue.

A full year has now passed since the ceremony, during which the process witnessed a series of political, military, and social developments, along with extensive discussions and debates. What were the most significant events of the past year? What steps were taken? What were the main obstacles facing the process?

In this report, we review the key developments during the first year following the symbolic weapon-burning ceremony and highlight the most important milestones in the process.

The Historic Call of 27 February

On 27 February 2025, a delegation from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), consisting of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, Pervin Buldan, Tülay Hatimoğulları, Tuncer Bakırhan, Cengiz Çiçek, and Özgür Erol, announced Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society."

The statement read:

"Just as no modern society or political party has been eliminated by force, you too should voluntarily convene your congress and make your decisions. All groups should lay down their arms, and the PKK should dissolve itself. I send my greetings to everyone who believes in living together and who listens to my call."

Following the announcement, Sırrı Süreyya Önder shared an additional message that he said was not included in the written text but was conveyed at leader Ocalan's request:

"There is no doubt that laying down arms and the dissolution of the PKK can only be achieved through recognition of democratic politics and the establishment of the necessary legal framework."

PKK Declares a Ceasefire

On 1 March 2025, the PKK leadership committee issued a statement regarding the "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society," announcing a ceasefire effective immediately in response to leader Ocalan's appeal.

The statement said:

"Unless we come under attack, our military forces will not carry out armed operations. As for laying down arms, it can only take place through an implementation process led and supervised by Abdullah Ocalan." The ceasefire between the two sides remains in effect to this day.

The First Practical Step: Rojava Conference

On 26 April 2025, the Conference on Kurdish Unity and Common Position in Rojava Kurdistan was held in Qamishlo, following the launch of the "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society."

The conference was considered one of the first practical steps toward implementing the initiative. More than 400 delegates participated, representing Kurdish political parties and organizations from Rojava, North Kurdistan, South Kurdistan, and other parts of Syria.

PKK Holds Its 12th Congress and Decides to Dissolve Itself

In response to Abdullah Ocalan's call of 27 February 2025, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) held its 12th Extraordinary Congress between 5 and 7 May in the Medya Defense Zones.

The congress was held simultaneously at two separate locations, with the participation of 232 delegates, including members of the party's leadership committee and central committee, the co-presidency of the Executive Council of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), members of the military council of the People's Defense Forces (HPG), and members of the coordination bodies of KJK and PAJK.

The congress was opened by leadership committee member Duran Kalkan. Political reports based on Abdullah Ocalan's vision, along with the Central Committee's report, were presented before delegates discussed political and military developments and the prospects for the new phase.

The congress lasted three days and featured extensive discussions on leadership, martyrs, wounded members, the party's organizational structure, the armed struggle, and the building of a democratic society. All draft resolutions were approved unanimously.

The most widely debated resolution concerned ending the armed struggle and dissolving the PKK's organizational structure. Following extensive deliberations, delegates decided to dissolve the party's organizational framework, end its strategy of armed struggle, and cease all activities carried out under the PKK name, with leader Ocalan assigned to lead and oversee the implementation of the decision.

Leader Ocalan Issues a Video Message

Leader Abdullah Ocalan has spent 26 years in İmralı Prison under strict isolation, which the article describes as an ongoing violation of his legal rights.

Despite this, he continued promoting the "Peace and Democratic Society" process, calling for the replacement of armed conflict with democratic political action and for Kurdish rights to be secured within a legal framework.

To prevent the process from faltering, leader Ocalan delivered a historic video message from İmralı Prison, released on 9 July 2025, which attracted widespread regional and international attention.

Peace and Democratic Society Group Burns Its Weapons

On 11 July, 30 male and female PKK fighters, calling themselves the "Peace and Democratic Society Group," symbolically burned their weapons during a ceremony described as historic, held at Jasana Cave in Sulaymaniyah.

The ceremony was covered by hundreds of journalists from Turkey, Kurdistan, and around the world, becoming a major focus of international media. It was also attended by numerous politicians, writers, intellectuals, and representatives of various institutions.

Before burning the weapons, participants read a statement in both Kurdish and Turkish. The Turkish version was read by Bese Hozat, co-chair of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK), while the Kurdish version was delivered by Nedim Seven, a senior figure in the Kurdish Freedom Movement.

Formation of a Parliamentary Committee

Following the symbolic weapon-burning ceremony, the Turkish Parliament established, for the first time, a special committee to address the Kurdish issue. Named the "Democracy, Brotherhood and National Solidarity Committee," it was formed on 5 August and consisted of 50 members.

All political parties represented in parliament participated in the committee according to their parliamentary representation, with the exception of the Good Party (İYİ Party). The committee heard testimony from numerous public figures, civil society organizations, and official institutions.

After lengthy discussions, the committee decided on 21 November to visit İmralı Prison. On 24 November, a parliamentary delegation visited Abdullah Öcalan. The delegation included Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit, deputy chair of the DEM Party parliamentary group, Feti Yıldız, deputy chair of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and Hüseyin Yayman, deputy chair of the Justice and Development Party (AKP).

The visit was described as historic, as it was the first meeting of its kind.

Committee Report Approved Despite Criticism

After receiving reports from the political parties, the parliamentary committee prepared a joint report, which it approved during its final session on 18 February 2026 before releasing it to the public.

Although the report was criticized for what some viewed as shortcomings, it was also regarded as a new step forward in the peace process.

Guerrilla Forces Withdraw from Northern Kurdistan

On 26 October, the leadership of the Kurdish Freedom Movement announced in a statement issued from Qandil that it was withdrawing its guerrilla forces from northern Kurdistan and Turkey to remove obstacles hindering the process.

The leadership said the decision came at the initiative of Abdullah Öcalan to overcome the stalemate that had affected the process. The announcement received widespread attention and was viewed as an important step toward advancing negotiations.

Signing of the 29 January Agreement

On 5 and 6 January, Syria's interim government launched a siege and attacks on the Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafieh neighborhoods of Aleppo.

As the fighting continued, clashes spread to Deir Hafer, Tabqa, Raqqa, Deir ez-Zor, Al-Shaddadi, Al-Hol, Tel Kocher, Tel Brak, the outskirts of Hasakah, Tishreen Dam, the surroundings of Kobani, and Ain Issa.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Abdullah Öcalan entered mediation efforts, which resulted in the signing of an agreement on 29 January between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Transitional Government.

Democratic integration was one of the key principles emphasized by leader Ocalan. Under the agreement, a new phase of dialogue began between Damascus and Rojava. Although the process encountered obstacles, military operations ceased and a ceasefire came into effect. Talks between the two sides continue to implement the agreement.

Turkish Operations Continue

Despite the steps taken by leader Abdullah Ocalan and the symbolic weapon-burning ceremony, the article states that the Turkish side did not take the measures considered necessary to advance the process. Instead, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government continued its military operations alongside political measures throughout the period.

In November 2024, the Turkish government appointed a trustee to the Mardin Metropolitan Municipality. On 22 November, former Hakkari co-mayor Mehmet Sıddık Akış was sentenced to nine years in prison.

The co-mayor of Dersim, Cevdet Konak, and the mayor of Pülümür, Mustafa Sarıgül, were also sentenced to six years and three months in prison. Two days later, trustees were appointed to both municipalities.

On 29 November, a trustee was also appointed to the municipality of Başkale (Miks) in Van Province.

While the İmralı delegation continued its meetings, trustees were likewise appointed to the Akdeniz Municipality on 13 January 2025, Van Metropolitan Municipality on 15 February, and Kağızman Municipality in Kars Province on 24 February.

Between 18 and 21 February, authorities targeted the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK), arresting 52 people, including politicians, trade unionists, artists, and journalists.

Since March, investigations expanded to municipalities governed by the Republican People's Party (CHP), with further trustee appointments. The article also states that former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu was appointed as trustee in place of party leader Özgür Özel, a move that observers described as "a coup against the process."

On 3 July, Turkey's Interior Ministry extended the terms of trustees appointed to the municipalities of Mardin, Batman (Êlih), and Halfeti for an additional two months.

Time for Legal Steps

The article states that the process initiated by leader Ocalan has reached its most sensitive stage, with attention now focused on the Turkish Parliament following the political, military, and practical steps already taken.

It argues that a comprehensive law should be adopted before parliament's summer recess to provide the legal foundation for the Peace and Democratic Society process.

According to sources within the Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), consultations between the parties are still ongoing. However, the party's delegation has not yet seen the draft law expected to be submitted to parliament, nor has it held another meeting with leader Ocalan in İmralı Prison. As a result, it remains unclear whether leader Ocalan has reviewed the draft legislation.

Meanwhile, the Justice and Development Party (AKP) announced that the draft law would be presented to parliament after the NATO Summit scheduled to take place in Ankara on 7–8 July.

The article concludes that the proposed legislation could either provide the legal basis for the process and open the way for new democratic steps—or fail to do so. The outcome remains uncertain, making the current stage particularly significant as observers await whether the Peace and Democratic Society process will continue and move into a new phase.

ANHA