Erbil, Kurdistan Region – The first group of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters is set to disarm in the Kurdistan Region in early July, marking a major step toward ending a four-decade-long conflict with Turkey, two well-informed sources told Rudaw on Monday.

The disarmament follows the PKK’s May 12 announcement that it would dissolve its armed wing and pursue a political path, heeding a call from its jailed leader, Abdullah Öcalan. The conflict has claimed an estimated 40,000 lives since the PKK launched its insurgency in 1984.

According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, between 20 to 30 PKK fighters will lay down their arms in a ceremony in Sulaimani province between July 3 and July 10.

“The guerrillas will hand over their weapons and return to where they currently live, meaning they will not go back to the cities,” one source said.

The process is expected to be preceded by a new message from Öcalan, who remains imprisoned in Turkey. Ankara has cautiously welcomed the PKK’s decision but insists on seeing concrete actions. Meanwhile, the PKK has called for democratic reforms from Turkey in return.

Despite the push for peace, Turkey has continued airstrikes on suspected PKK positions in the Kurdistan Region. Recent strikes near Metina Mountain in Duhok province sparked wildfires that remain uncontrolled.

In a parallel effort, Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) announced plans to submit a proposal for a parliamentary commission to oversee the peace process. The DEM Party has been a key mediator, relaying messages between Öcalan and political leaders.

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Özgür Özel suggested the commission include representatives from all 16 parties in Turkey’s parliament and be chaired by the parliament speaker.

Founded in 1978, the PKK initially sought an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its demands to greater political and cultural rights for Kurds in Turkey. Designated a terrorist group by Turkey and its allies, the PKK’s disarmament could pave the way for a historic resolution to one of the region’s longest-running conflicts.