PKK

IRGC officer killed in Iran-Iraq border mountains as fighting with Kurdish opposition intensifies

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq says Tehran and Baghdad have reached an agreement on as Iran seeks to suppress what it calls Kurdish ‘terrorist’ and ‘separatists.'

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iranian Kurdish fighters from the Kurdistan Freedom Party, known as PAK take part in a training session at a base on the outskirts of Erbil, Iraq February 12, 2026.
Murat Karayilan co-leader of the Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK) and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Confederalism Council (KKK) poses during an interview with AFP in a camp near Arbil in the Sinena mountains, northern Iraq, 11 August 2005.

Peace in the Middle East? Kurdish PKK leader discusses regional ‘third world war’

Kamal Chomani, with The Amargi news outlet, spent ten days in caves waiting to interview the PKK chief in an exclusive interview about the region, Kurds, Turkey, and the world today.

|BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Iranians living in Greece chant slogans during a rally, marking the Global Day of Action for Iran, to support Iran's Lion and Sun Revolution, in Athens, Greece, February 14, 2026

Iran’s future will be decided by its people, not separatist factions - opinion

By flirting with marginal, transnational separatist elements, outside powers risk alienating the patriotic majority of the Iranian public. 

|ByTINA GHAZIMORAD
A Turkish soldier participating an a NATO exercise, Barbate, Spain, March 28, 2025; illustrative.

Turkey agrees to hand over disputed Bashiqa-Zelikan military base near Mosul to Iraqi government

The agreement followed a meeting between Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the two leaders said in a joint statement.

|ByTHE MEDIA LINE STAFF

Kurdish PKK militants to begin handing over arms in Iraq on Friday, NTV says

The PKK, in a conflict with Turkey for over 40 years, decided in May to disband after a public call from jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan in February.

JULY 8, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian Kurds hold up an image of Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan as they gather after Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, in Hasakah, Syria February 27, 2025.

Twelve Turkish soldiers killed by gas exposure during cave search in Iraq

The incident took place during a mission to locate the remains of a Turkish soldier killed by the PKK. Turkey's pro-Kurdish DEM party will meet with Erdogan to discuss a peace process with the PKK.

JULY 7, 2025ByREUTERS
An Iraqi federal police officer stands outside a tunnel, which was used by Islamic State terrorists, in Mosul, Iraq, February 4, 2017.

PKK disarmament talks could reshape Iraq, Syria and Turkey relations - analysis

Both Iraq and Syria would benefit from having Turkish troops withdraw. Politics at home in Turkey can also be transformed. 

MAY 18, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
Syrian Kurds hold up an image of Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan as they gather after Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, in Hasakah, Syria February 27, 2025.

Kurdish PKK dissolves after decades of struggle with Turkey, news agency close to militants says

The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group, which has been locked in bloody conflict with Turkey for more than four decades, decided to disband and end its armed struggle.

MAY 12, 2025ByREUTERS
Supporters of pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) display flags with a portrait of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, during a rally to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 17, 2024.

Victims of Turkey's Kurdish militant conflict long for peace

The PKK conflict has killed more than 40,000 people since it began in 1984, leaving tens of thousands wounded, including Turkish security force members, militants, and civilians alike.

MARCH 31, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian Kurds hold flags as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, a move that could end its 40-year conflict with Ankara, in Hasakah, Syria February 27, 2025.

After 45 year, will the Kurdish-Turkish conflict in Iraq come to an end?

The jailed founder of a Kurdish nationalist group has called for the movement to lay down its arms, but Kurdish forces seem unwilling to as long as Turkish strikes continue.

MARCH 26, 2025ByHUDHAIFA EBRAHIM/THE MEDIA LINE
Syrian Kurds hold flags as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, a move that could end its 40-year conflict with Ankara and have far-reaching political and security consequences for the region,

Historic deal between Damascus and Kurdish-led SDF could transform Syria - analysis

The image of the two men meeting, having discarded their military uniforms and put on suits, illustrates how leaders can seize the moment and opt for peace over war. 

MARCH 11, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
The leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces signed a deal on March 11 with Syria’s new president Ahmed al-Sharaa

What does call for disarmament of Kurdish militants in Turkey mean for Middle East? - analysis

The big question now is whether the PKK will actually heed this call by Ocalan and if PKK affiliates will agree.

MARCH 1, 2025BySETH J. FRANTZMAN
A demonstrator holds a picture of jailed Kurdish militant leader Abdullah Ocalan during a rally in Diyarbakir, Turkey, February 27, 2025.

Kurdish rebels declare immediate ceasefire after jailed leader's peace appeal

If successful, the move could have wide-ranging implications for the region, while ending a conflict that has killed more than 40,000 people.

MARCH 1, 2025ByREUTERS
Supporters of pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) display flags with a portrait of jailed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan, during a rally to celebrate Nowruz, which marks the arrival of spring, in Istanbul, Turkey, March 17, 2024.

Abdullah Ocalan calls on PKK to dissolve, regional leaders react

Regional leaders welcome calls for the PKK to lay down arms and dissolve.

FEBRUARY 27, 2025ByREUTERS
Syrian Kurds hold flags as they gather after Turkey's jailed militant leader Abdullah Ocalan called on his Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) to lay down its arms on Thursday, a move that could end its 40-year conflict with Ankara and have far-reaching political and security consequences for the region,