Turkey Advances Kurdish Peace Process

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } Latest News from NourishThe Nourish Mission (formerly OneSub)Search Nourish (formerly Charlie)Turkey Advances Kurdish Peace ProcessInternational Relations > PoliticsAs of November 2025, Turkey is preparing legislation to allow thousands of PKK fighters and civilians to return from northern Iraq, marking a key step in a peace process aimed at ending a four-decade conflict. The PKK formally renounced armed struggle in May and completed withdrawal from Turkey by early November. Talks include legal protections for returnees and possible engagement with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

What's happened

As of November 2025, Turkey is preparing legislation to allow thousands of PKK fighters and civilians to return from northern Iraq, marking a key step in a peace process aimed at ending a four-decade conflict. The PKK formally renounced armed struggle in May and completed withdrawal from Turkey by early November. Talks include legal protections for returnees and possible engagement with jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

What's behind the headline?

Turkey's Peace Process: A Turning Point

The proposed law to facilitate PKK fighters' and civilians' return from Iraq signals a concrete move from decades of conflict to political integration.
The process balances security concerns with reconciliation, offering protection but not full amnesty for past militant acts.
Engagement with Abdullah Ocalan, despite his imprisonment since 1999, underscores his enduring influence over Kurdish politics and the peace process.
The phased return and possible relocation of commanders to third countries reflect cautious steps to prevent renewed violence.
This peace initiative, supported by Turkey's ruling party and pro-Kurdish DEM party, could reshape Turkey's internal politics and regional stability.
Challenges remain, including nationalist opposition and legal reforms needed to integrate Kurdish rights fully.
The process will likely impact Turkey's relations with Iraq and Syria, given PKK's regional presence.
If successful, this could end one of the Middle East's longest-running insurgencies and open pathways for Kurdish political participation.

Forecast

Turkey will likely pass the legislation soon, initiating returns in waves. The government's ability to manage nationalist opposition and implement legal reforms will determine the peace process's durability. Ocalan's role may expand, potentially easing Kurdish public support. Regional cooperation with Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government will be critical to securing lasting peace.

What the papers say

Reuters reveals that Turkey's proposed law aims to protect returning PKK fighters but stops short of a general amnesty, with returns planned in waves and commanders possibly sent abroad. President Erdogan described recent talks with pro-Kurdish DEM leaders as "very constructive," hinting at possible engagement with jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan, a key figure urging PKK disarmament (Reuters, 5 Nov 2025). The New Arab highlights Ocalan's call for all parties to act responsibly and integrate the Kurdish issue into Turkey's legal framework, emphasizing the transition from armed conflict to democratic politics (The New Arab, 4 Nov 2025). Earlier reports from Arab News and The New Arab detail the PKK's withdrawal from Turkey to northern Iraq, marking the first phase of the peace process and urging swift legal and political steps to follow (Arab News, 27 Oct 2025; The New Arab, 27 Oct 2025). Al Jazeera and The Independent provide context on the PKK's disarmament ceremony and ongoing regional cooperation, including Turkey's renewed military mandate and agreements with Iraq (Al Jazeera, 26 Oct 2025; The Independent, 2 Nov 2025). These sources collectively illustrate a cautious but significant shift towards peace, with legal frameworks and political integration as the next critical steps.

How we got here

The PKK has waged an armed insurgency against Turkey since 1984, causing over 40,000 deaths. In May 2025, the PKK renounced violence and began withdrawing fighters to northern Iraq. Turkey launched a peace process a year ago, involving parliamentary committees and negotiations with pro-Kurdish parties. Jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan has played a central role in urging disarmament and political transition.

Go deeper

What legal protections will PKK returnees receive under the new law?
How is Abdullah Ocalan involved in the peace negotiations?
What challenges does Turkey face in implementing this peace process?

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