Tunis:Turkish security sources have confirmed the withdrawal of fighters affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from four camps in northern Iraq. This move marks the beginning of a planned process aimed at ending the armed insurgency.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the PKK-affiliated armed groups have left the Hebat, Yajik, Sabri, and Sason camps located in the Bazi area of the Metina region. This development is seen as a positive sign that the peace process is progressing in the right direction.

The sources further mentioned that once PKK members cease all armed activities, they will be eligible to participate in social reintegration programs. These programs will focus on education, economic opportunities, and other fields within the legal framework designed for dissolving the organization.

In August, the Turkish parliament passed legislation to establish criteria for the PKK’s dissolution as part of a peace initiative. This initiative aims to end a conflict that has lasted for decades, claimed tens of thousands of lives, and caused devastation in southeastern Turkey, where ethnic Kurds predominantly reside.

The new law offers legal protection for many former fighters who have not committed specific crimes and facilitates the suspension of sentences for some individuals convicted of PKK membership, thus aiding their reintegration into Turkish society.

The peace process between Turkey and the PKK commenced in late 2024 but faced obstacles earlier this year due to the conflict involving Iran and increasing concerns over regional instability.