Following a call from Abdullah Öcalan to lay down its arms, the PKK will hold a disarmament ceremony in Sulaymaniyah tomorrow. Delegations from various cities in Turkey and Northern Kurdistan gathered in the Cizre district of Şırnak before leaving for Sulaymaniyah to attend the ceremony.

The delegation of around 150 people includes DEM Party Co-Chairs Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan, DBP (Democratic Regions Party) Co-Chairs Çiğdem Kılıçgün Uçar and Keskin Bayındır, ÖHD (Association of Lawyers for Freedom) Co-Chairs Ekin Yeter and Serhat Çakmak, members of the Peace Mothers Assembly, and DEM Party MPs.

Speaking at a meeting while leaving Cizre, DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan answered questions from journalists and said the following: “We are very excited. An important step is being taken toward ending the conflict and violence that began 50 years ago. This process is both historic and very valuable. Everyone here will witness this moment. This development will go down in history. Those who bear witness will also take their place in history. This is a beginning and it imposes a great responsibility on all of us. If we fulfill this responsibility, we will no longer carry the coffins of young people on our shoulders, but peace. As the DEM Party, we will do our part. We expect everyone to fulfill their duties."

Ali Fuat Önder, brother of Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a member of the Imralı Delegation who lost his life in May, is also among those traveling to Sulaymaniyah. Önder shared his feelings with the following words: “I am grateful to everyone who contributed to bringing this process to this point. Peace was my brother's greatest ideal in his political life. Despite all the obstacles, he remained steadfast in his pursuit of peace. Unfortunately, he was not able to witness this historic moment. Peace will bring joy to his soul. This peace will be very precious to everyone living in this country. I hope everything goes well. My only wish is that we all see absolute peace together."

Mele Kasım Yiğit, who came to see the delegation off, expressed his feelings as follows: “I have been dreaming about this for 50 years. Now our hopes are slowly becoming reality. The Kurds are an oppressed people and want to live freely. A heavy price has been paid to date. Now, the fact that our 50-year-old dream is turning into reality is creating great excitement among us. We trust in Mr. Öcalan’s efforts. The delegation is heading to Bashur (South Kurdistan) with great hopes. God willing, all peoples will breathe freely.”

Asya Tay, spokesperson for the Silopi Peace Mothers Assembly, delivered the following message: “We salute everyone who has set out on the path to peace. It is essential that the message of peace delivered at the leader’s call is understood correctly by the whole world. Among those who have set out are mothers. These mothers have been demanding peace for years. They are going to reunite with their children. May their path be open. May their departure be crowned with an honorable peace.”

The delegation set out for the Khabour Border Crossing in Silopi to cross into southern Kurdistan (northern Iraq).