BAKU, Azerbaijan / ISTANBUL

Azerbaijan’s president on Tuesday called the terrorist group PKK’s decision to dissolve and disarm a “historic event,” adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s political will was key to this outcome.

“The strength of the Turkish state, the professional fight of the Turkish Armed Forces against terrorism, and the unity of Turkish society were decisive in the organization taking this step,” Ilham Aliyev said during a meeting with Turkish National Defense Minister Yasar Guler in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.

Voicing congratulations on the terror group’s dissolution, Aliyev said the news carries great importance not only for Türkiye but also for the peace and stability of the people of the region, said a statement by the Azerbaijani Presidency.

The PKK announcement follows a February statement by jailed PKK ringleader Abdullah Ocalan, who called for the dissolution of the PKK and its affiliated groups, urging an end to the armed campaign that has lasted more than four decades.

In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG/PYD is the PKK’s Syrian affiliate.