UPDATE - President Erdogan says terrorism-free Türkiye 'will bring about positive results'

UPDATES WITH REMARKS FROM COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR

By Efe Ozkan and Merve Berker

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he hopes important steps taken on the path to a terrorism-free Türkiye “will bring about positive results,” as a group of PKK terrorists laid down its arms on Friday.

In a statement on X, Erdogan wished for success from God on the path to secure “our nation's security, our people's peace and the establishment of lasting peace in our region.”

Meanwhile, Türkiye’s communications director Burhanettin Duran said the country, in a future without terrorism, "will become even stronger" and reach its "Century of Türkiye" goals by further reinforcing its unity and solidarity."

The group of PKK terrorists laid down their weapons and destroyed them in northern Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah province.

The 30 terrorists, including 15 women, destroyed their weapons by throwing them into a large burning cauldron.

In May, the terror group decided to dissolve and lay down its arms. The announcement followed a February statement by jailed PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan, who called for the dissolution of the organization and its affiliated groups, urging an end to the armed campaign that has lasted for more than four decades.

In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, infants, and the elderly.​​​​​​​