Brief
PKK pulls out of four northern Iraq camps amid Turkey peace push
Anadolu news agency said the PKK left the Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason camps in the Baze area on Oct. 8.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kurdish militants from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) vacated four camps in northern Iraq’s Metina region on Oct. 8, according to Turkey’s state‑run Anadolu news agency, which cited unidentified security officials.
What happened
The camps – identified as Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason – are located in the Baze area near the Turkish border. Anadolu reported that the PKK withdrew its fighters from these sites as part of a broader peace effort with Turkey.
What the reports add
The Associated Press article notes that the withdrawal follows a series of diplomatic moves, including Turkey’s decision last month to gradually hand over its Bashiqa military base to the Iraqi government after a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al‑Zaidi at the United Nations General Assembly. The AP also recalls that the PKK announced a disarmament and disbandment plan last year after a call from its imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, and that it held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq.
What was said
There was no immediate comment from the PKK, whose leadership remains based in northern Iraq, according to the AP report.
How it came about
The withdrawal aligns with Turkey’s recent policy to reduce its armed presence in northern Iraq, as detailed in Felo’s earlier coverage of the Bashiqa base handover (Turkey to handle Bashiqa base) and the gradual pull‑out from that base (Turkey withdraws from Bashiqa base). The broader peace process seeks to end decades of conflict between the PKK and Turkey.
Key facts
- The PKK vacated four camps – Hebat, Yajk, Sabri and Sason – on Oct. 8. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The camps are in the Baze area of Iraq’s Metina region near the Turkish border. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- Anadolu cited unidentified security officials for the withdrawal information. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The move follows Turkey’s plan to hand over the Bashiqa base to Iraq after a UN‑level meeting. (winnipegfreepress.com)
- The PKK has not issued an immediate comment on the withdrawal. (winnipegfreepress.com)
