Kurdish Separatist Group PKK Ends 40-Year War Against Turkey

Protesters hold flags bearing the image of PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, in February.Photographer: Delil Souleiman/AFP/Getty Images

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By Selcan Hacaoglu

May 12, 2025 at 2:12 AM EDT

Updated on

May 12, 2025 at 12:58 PM EDT

A separatist Kurdish group agreed to lay down arms to end a 40-year war for autonomy against Turkey, a historic step that could strengthen Ankara’s aspirations to become a regional powerhouse.

The PKK agreed to disarm and disband at a congress last week, the pro-Kurdish ANF news agency reported Monday, after declaring a ceasefire on March 1. That heralded the end of one of the world’s longest and bloodiest insurgencies.