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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdish leaders and political figures on Monday hailed the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) decision to disband and lay down arms, calling it a historic opportunity for peace and regional stability.
Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani welcomed the PKK's decision to end its armed struggle against Turkey, calling it a 'decisive step that opens a new chapter in the region.'
In a statement by the Kurdistan Region Presidency, Barzani said the step 'demonstrates political maturity and paves the way for genuine dialogue that strengthens coexistence and stability in Turkey and throughout the region.'
He also expressed Erbil's support and assistance for the ongoing peace process between the PKK and Ankara, which he called a 'historic opportunity,' while thanking Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his efforts.
'Now is the time, and everyone is watching for this important step to be met with other positive and necessary steps from all relevant parties. This creates a proper and suitable foundation and becomes the basis for a permanent and comprehensive peace that ends decades of violence, pain, and suffering, and leads the region toward new horizons of progress,' President Barzani said.
Similarly, Masoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdistan Region's ruling Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), commended the PKK's decision to dissolve and disarm on Monday as 'positive steps toward a peaceful solution' while reiterating full support for the peace process.
'We hope that this process will lead to positive results that serve the interests and well-being of the region and all. We also declare our full support for the success of this process by all possible means,' the KDP leader said in a statement.
Echoing this sentiment, Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), also welcomed the PKK's decision to dissolve itself and lay down arms, calling it "a historic milestone."
He said the PUK, which is the second most powerful party in the Kurdistan Region, is "firmly committed to the success of the peace process and will cooperate with and support all parties to ensure its success. We believe that disarmament is a vital component, but it must be accompanied by the implementation of all other steps within the process."
Talabani also hoped that the peace process between the PKK and Ankara succeeds and paves the way for "a new political and diplomatic chapter among all parties - one that fosters cooperation and brings positive change to the whole of Kurdistan."
Adding to the chorus of voices, Lahur Talabany, leader of the People's Front (Baray Gal) party, hailed the PKK's decision to disarm and disband, emphasizing that the responsibility now lies with Ankara to pursue a 'permanent solution.'
In a statement, Talabany welcomed the decisions of the PKK's 12th congress and highlighted that the end to the group's armed struggle 'gives greater value to the peace process and resolution in Turkey and is a positive step away from war and conflict.'
'The authorities in Ankara bear a great and historic responsibility. From now on, they need to make quick and courageous decisions toward a permanent solution to the Kurdish issue and not allow obstacles to be created for the process at any point, until it reaches its final destination and Kurds and Turks can live together in peace forever,' he said.
Talabany also shared an undated photo of himself and the top PKK commander Cemil Bayik.
Meanwhile, Mazloum Abdi, commander-in-chief of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), said the PKK's landmark decision to end its political struggle against the Turkish state is "appreciated," adding that the move will pave the way for a "new stage."
"The PKK had a historical role in the Middle East during the past phase. We are confident that this step will pave the way for a new phase of politics and peace in the region," said Abdi, whose forces control most of northeast Syria (Rojava).
Turkey claims that the SDF's backbone, the People's Protection Units (YPG), is affiliated with the PKK.
"We also hope that all concerned parties will take important steps and that everyone will provide the required support," noted Abdi.
From prison, jailed prominent Kurdish politician Selahattin Demirtas also weighed in on Monday, thanking the PKK leadership for heeding its leader Abdullah Ocalan's call to disband and disarm.
Pervin Buldan, a key mediator of peace talks between the PKK and Ankara, visited Demirtas in Edirne prison on Monday to discuss the latest developments regarding the process. She relayed a letter from Demirtas.
'On the occasion of the PKK congress results, we thank the PKK leadership who made this decision,' read the handwritten letter. He also thanked Ocalan, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his far-right ally Devlet Bahceli, Ozgur Ozel, leader of the main opposition and DEM Party, for their contribution to the peace talks.
'Now is the time to work together sincerely for the realization of peace, prosperity, democracy, freedoms, and for Turkey's growth in all aspects. May it be beneficial for all of us,' he said.
The PKK declared its dissolution and an end to its armed struggle against Turkey on Monday, marking a huge step toward a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict with Ankara.
The PKK was founded in 1978 in response to the oppression of the Kurdish population in Turkey. It initially struggled for an independent Kurdistan but now calls for greater political and cultural rights within Turkey. Ankara and its Western allies consider the group a terrorist organization.
Data provided to Rudaw by CPT shows that more than 850 people have been killed in the Kurdistan Region since 1990 as a result of border bombardments by Turkey and Iran, with the majority of casualties caused by Turkish airstrikes and attacks.
A similar peace process begun between the PKK and the Turkish state in 2013 collapsed two and a half years later.
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