Turkey to submit draft law allowing thousands of former PKK members to return, aims to end conflict

Turkey's ruling alliance plans to submit a draft law to parliament on Wednesday aimed at ending the decades-old conflict with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). The legislation, dubbed "national solidarity and social integration," seeks to facilitate the return of thousands of former PKK militants and civilians from northern Iraq, outlining their processing through the justice system and reintegration into society. This initiative, supported by the ruling AK Party, its MHP allies, and the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, marks a significant step towards resolving an insurgency that has claimed over 40,000 lives since 1984. The peace process, which began in late 2024, had faced a standstill due to the Iran war, despite the PKK's decision in May last year to disarm following an appeal from its jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan. Abdullah Guler, the AKP's parliamentary group head, confirmed the bill's submission, stating, "the bill will be submitted on Wednesday."