Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivered what he called a "historic" speech on Saturday, announcing the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and proclaiming the beginning of a new chapter for Turkey.

Speaking at the 32nd Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Consultation and Evaluation Meeting in Kızılcahamam, Erdoğan declared, “Today, the gates of the Century of Türkiye have opened wide.”

Erdoğan emphasized that the "terror-free Türkiye" initiative was not achieved through negotiations or concessions. “We have never engaged in a give-and-take process with those who threatened our unity,” he stated. “This project is built on peace, unity, and national dignity, without compromising the honor of our state.”

The president confirmed that the PKK, responding to calls from within its ranks—including from its imprisoned leadership—had officially laid down its arms. “We are closing a 41-year-old chapter of pain, division, and loss,” Erdoğan said. “This is a turning point. From now on, we will resolve our issues through dialogue, not violence.”

The disarmament took place on July 11 in Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, where a PKK group destroyed its weapons in a ceremony attended by Turkish intelligence officials, Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) security forces, and civil society representatives.

The event occurred in the Surdash district, where PKK members emerged from a cave with their weapons before surrendering them to authorities.

Erdoğan praised cross-party cooperation, stating that the process would continue through parliamentary channels. “Together with our alliance partners and other political actors, we will advance this new era,” he said. “We are building a stronger, more united Türkiye.”

Addressing the families of fallen soldiers, the president vowed to uphold national security: “No one will be allowed to tarnish the legacy of our martyrs. Their sacrifices have paved the way for this new dawn.”

In closing, Erdoğan described the moment as one that future generations would remember as the birth of a stronger, more peaceful, and united Turkey.

The PKK, designated a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the EU, has waged a decades-long insurgency, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. Today’s developments mark a significant step toward lasting stability in the region.