[Today’s Prayer] Kurdish PKK announces “withdrawal from Türkiye”… follow‑up steps after disarmament

The Kurdish separatist armed group, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), announced it will withdraw from Türkiye.

According to Reuters on the 26th (local time), the PKK released a statement from its base in the Kandil mountains in northern Iraq saying it has decided to withdraw all armed fighters from Türkiye.

This measure is a follow‑up step after the group declared in May that it would disband and end the armed struggle it had been waging against the Turkish government.

They also urged the Turkish government to enact an integration law that would enable the PKK’s political participation.

The PKK said, “We are on the path to realizing Abdullah Öcalan’s peace project,” and emphasized, “Türkiye must also implement political change and create an appropriate environment in which this project can be carried out.”

Burhanettin Duran, head of communications for President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, welcomed the move on X, saying, “This new measure is a positive development in achieving the goal of the PKK laying down arms together with all its members.”

Kurds are reported to make up about 20 percent of Türkiye’s population of roughly 87 million.

The PKK has waged an insurgency against the Turkish government since 1984, demanding autonomy in southeastern Türkiye where Kurds are the majority. More than 40,000 people have died in the conflict to date.

Source: News1

“Let those who are left in Israel again turn to the Lord, and let those who have been brought back to the Godly fear Him; and they will declare My testimonies, and My law shall be with their heart; let them not be put to shame.” (Psalm 119:79‑80)

Heavenly Father, we have heard that the PKK — which has waged armed struggle seeking Kurdish autonomy in Türkiye — announced the withdrawal of all its armed fighters from Türkiye as a follow‑up to its May declaration to end armed struggle and disband.

While the possibility of negotiations for Kurdish peace opens as a result of laying down arms after 41 years of conflict, the PKK is demanding not only disarmament but also political participation for Kurds. Because Türkiye does not recognize Kurdish autonomy or separatist movements, voices calling for a resumption of struggle within Kurdish society remain a concern, so we cannot yet be fully at ease.

Lord, lead both the Kurdish people and the Turkish government onto the best path. May both come to fear You and plan and act according to Your word.

We believe You have allowed the Kurdish people — who make up some 20% of Türkiye’s population — to live there. Let the Kurds no longer place their hope in this world but seek Your eternal kingdom, fearing the Lord; raise up those who will plant churches among the unreached in Türkiye and bring souls to Christ.

Moreover, let Kurdish churches and Turkish churches unite with the heart of God who loves all nations, rising as a holy army that proclaims the name of Jesus Christ, the King of Peace, among all peoples still living in conflict.

In these last days, may the Kurdish people rise — looking not to silver or gold but as a spiritual host to bring down spiritual Babylon!