[REVISION HISTORY]

Turkey faces delays and political debate in disarmament

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What changed

2026-10-18 09:27 UTC → 2026-10-30 12:48 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The ‘Terror-Free Turkey’ initiative has entered a new legislative phase following the passage of the ‘Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Integration’ in August 2026. This framework law established a Monitoring and Evaluation Board, led by Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz, to coordinate legal processes and oversee the disarmament phase. The initiative includes a security mechanism coordinated with Iraq, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), and Syria, with objectives to evacuate PKK camps ~~such as Kandil, Zap, and Metina~~ by October 1. The Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MİT) is tasked with verifying the evacuation of 72 sites and documenting surrendered weapons. Political reactions ~~to the law~~ remain deeply divided. While the DEM Party ~~Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan~~ called the legislation a ‘historic ~~step’ that moves~~ step’, the ~~Kurdish issue toward a political platform. The party also shared a message from~~ PKK ~~leader Abdullah Öcalan, who characterized criticisms of~~ has criticized the ~~process as a ‘conspiracy’.~~ framework for lacking sufficient democratic measures and failing to address the status of Abdullah Öcalan. Conversely, ~~Zafer Party leader~~ opposition leaders like Ümit Özdağ ~~argued~~ and Müsavat Dervişoğlu have criticized the ~~law attempts~~ process, with the latter arguing that concessions to ~~legitimize a terrorist organization. Analysts~~ terror convicts undermine the rule of law. Within the government, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan noted that despite declarations of intent, concrete steps toward the laying down of arms have ~~suggested~~ not yet materialized on the ~~process may be driven by geopolitical threats, with~~ ground, causing some ~~expressing~~ internal concern ~~that President Erdoğan could be using the agreement to secure Kurdish support.~~ regarding voter sentiment. By ~~mid-October~~ late October 2026, ~~government officials further defined~~ the ~~initiative’s strategic scope.~~ Turkish National Security Council (MGK) reaffirmed the initiative as a core component of the ‘Turkey Century’ vision, focusing on combating the PKK/KCK, FETÖ, and ISIS. Officials, including Presidential Advisor Ayhan Oğan ~~stated~~ and Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, emphasized that the process aims to cleanse politics of terrorist ~~influence. In Batman, Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi described the initiative~~ influence without making negotiations or concessions, framing it as a strategic state policy ~~rooted in the principles of ‘one nation, one flag, one homeland, one state,’ while explicitly stating there have been no negotiations with the PKK.~~ to ensure regional stability and national unity.

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