In a press conference held in the Qandil (Kandil) region, representatives of the Kurdistan Society's Freedom Movement announced a fresh phase in the group’s roadmap toward political transition, saying fighters have begun withdrawing from positions along the Turkish border as part of decisions adopted at the PKK’s 12th Congress.

KCK (Kurdistan Democratic Communities Union) Executive Committee member Sabri Ok, Yezhastar Executive Committee member Sarhad Bezhin Dersim and The People's Defence Forces (Kurdish: Hêzên Parastina Gel, HPG) commander Devrin Palu read the joint statement on behalf of the movement. The statement framed the move as a continuation of measures launched after leader Abdullah Ocalan’s call for peace and a democratic society earlier this year.

“Withdrawing our forces from Turkish border areas toward the Media Protection Regions is a practical step under the 12th Congress decisions,” the statement said. “Some units that have reached the Media Protection Regions are present here and participating in this press conference.”

Key points from the statement

• Withdrawal: The movement said it has begun relocating some forces away from Turkish border areas to reduce the risk of unwanted clashes and to create space for a political process.

• Legal framework: The statement urged immediate legislative action, saying “the transitional law on the PKK should be taken as a basis and laws related to the necessary freedoms and democratic integration must be enacted immediately to enable participation in democratic politics.”
• Political intent: The movement presented the withdrawal as part of a staged transition away from armed struggle, recalling earlier steps this year — including a March ceasefire declaration and the July symbolic burning of weapons by a 30-member group — which it says demonstrated commitment to ending armed conflict.
• Appeal to the public: The statement called on the Kurdish public, especially women and youth, to support the “peace process and democratic society” and to take part in what it described as an organized campaign for freedom and democracy.

Background and context

The statement ties directly to decisions adopted at the PKK’s 12th Congress and to repeated calls from Abdullah Ocalan, often referred to by supporters as “Leader Apo” for a negotiated transition. In recent months the movement has announced a series of confidence-building measures, including unilateral ceasefires and symbolic disarmament acts, aimed at creating political space for Kurdish demands and broader reconciliation.

The group also stressed that while it has taken these practical steps, “practice will determine the effectiveness” and that corresponding legal and political measures by states notably Turkey remain necessary to complete the transition into formal democratic politics.

The statement did not provide details on how Ankara or other regional governments had reacted to the new withdrawals.

Reaction and next steps

The movement said the next phase depends on reciprocal political and legal measures, reiterating that implementation of the 12th Congress decisions requires immediate enactment of transition laws and protections for political participation.