Media reports say that a comprehensive draft on the next steps for the terror-free Türkiye initiative for disarmament of the PKK terrorist group will be made public in April. Reports come amid an expected meeting of the parliament speaker with representatives of political parties this week to discuss the current stage in the initiative.

Disclosure of the draft report in full will be just the beginning of a parliamentary process to respond to the PKK’s announcement last year that it would dissolve itself, after more than four decades of violence. Parliament is expected to draft new laws or amend the existing ones for leniency to members of the terrorist group who agree to turn themselves in.

So far, the initiative has been a series of apparently unilateral steps by the PKK, which started burning weapons in a symbolic move after announcing its dissolution. Authorities have treaded carefully, both not to offend families of the PKK’s victims and to make sure that the PKK fulfills its promises to abandon arms. Currently, the disarmament process is being monitored by Turkish intelligence. The PKK is spread across Iraq, Syria and Iran, and its members may be allowed to return to Türkiye if the initiative succeeds. To ensure returns, Türkiye is required to offer leniency in the sentencing of the PKK members who did not participate in acts of terrorism.

Parliament’s National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee, set up exclusively for the terror-free Türkiye initiative, has recently wrapped up its work of hearing from all sides affected by PKK terrorism. The committee prepared a comprehensive report to guide Parliament on future bills. A report by the Türkiye newspaper quoting sources from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), says President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan would hold talks with security authorities and his aides to make a decision on future legal processes and issue instructions for new bills by April if the intelligence authorities certify full disarmament of the PKK and its withdrawal from regions it occupied in Iraq’s north.

The terror-free Türkiye initiative was launched in 2024 by government ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) when its leader, Devlet Bahçeli, implied that the government should facilitate access to the terrorist group PKK’s jailed ringleader, Abdullah Öcalan, so that he could call on the PKK to lay down arms. Bahçeli’s proposal was endorsed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who had earlier hinted at the initiative with messages of unity between Turks and Kurds. The PKK has long justified its campaign of terrorism as a fight for the rights of Kurds. Both Bahçeli and Erdoğan have repeatedly said that ending terrorism and maintaining unity were essential for Türkiye’s “home front” in the face of Israeli aggression in the region, pointing to the fact that Israel may target Türkiye next as part of its expansionist policies. Öcalan responded positively to Bahçeli’s call and urged the PKK to lay down arms. In July 2025, the PKK started the disarmament process with a ceremony in northern Iraq.

“This is not like 2013 or any other process,” Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş said earlier this month, referring to government-sponsored efforts in the past to end PKK terrorism. The “reconciliation process,” as it was known, sought to curb the PKK’s influence on the Kurdish community and address the rights issues the terrorist group exploited. It ultimately collapsed in a few years, but Türkiye pursues a more dedicated approach to the matter now. Unlike the previous process, where the PKK consented to a unilateral “truce,” the group this time agreed to dissolve itself. Yet, full dissolution is yet to be confirmed.

Kurtulmuş, who also chairs the terror-free Türkiye committee at Parliament, said another failure in ending the existence of the PKK would inflict a heavy toll on “politics.” “We may face a direr situation. We are now going through times of conflict in the region, and there are circles ready to stoke the burning fire,” he said.

“Nothing is incidental in this region. The process, which began with the U.S. invasion of Iraq, triggered another process for ethnic and sectarian division. Many countries suffered as a consequence. We have to revert this. Türkiye paid a heavy toll in terrorism, and we have to act swiftly. Zionism is raising the stakes, and we cannot ignore this. They try to deal a final blow to the region. They tried it with civil wars in Lebanon and Syria, and they tried it with swift regime changes in the region. They planned the final stage of their plan by targeting Gaza. The Greater Israel Project’s main target is Türkiye. So, we have to reinforce the country, the home front,” he said.

He noted that Türkiye already had laws for offering lenient sentencing for members of terrorist groups cooperating with authorities. “But it is the first time that a terrorist group has decided to dissolve itself. Thus, we need new regulations. We agreed on legal proceedings for members of the group if they apply for lenient sentencing or parole, to have a court record. This will prevent the perception that (PKK members) would benefit from an amnesty. Sentencing will remain, but they will be released based on parole conditions if they turn themselves in and renounce membership of the PKK,” he said.

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Türkiye is taking firm measures against airspace violations while continuing efforts to safeguard national security and stability amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Thursday.

“With the awareness that we bear the responsibility of 86 million people, we never abandon caution and prudence. While taking a very firm stance against actions that violate our airspace, we also continue to take steps to strengthen the peace and security of our nation,” Erdoğan said.

The president made the remarks in a video message greeting Turkish citizens on Ramadan Bayram, also known as Eid al-Fitr, the festival that follows the holy month of Ramadan.

He expressed his wishes for the Eid to bring goodness, blessings and beauty to the country, the Islamic world and all humanity, and also mentioned the situation in the Middle East.

“Our brothers and sisters in Gaza are trying to observe Ramadan Bayram under Israel’s attacks, which violate cease-fire rules and block humanitarian aid. In various parts of Palestine, especially East Jerusalem and the West Bank, as well as in southern Lebanon, policies of occupation and destruction continue at full intensity,” he said.

He also emphasized that attacks launched against Iran on Feb. 28, along with Iran’s missile and drone retaliations toward third countries, have further escalated regional tensions.

“In the face of this troubling picture, with the awareness that we bear the responsibility of 86 million people, we never abandon caution and prudence,” Erdoğan said, adding that Türkiye continues to take firm measures against airspace violations and to strengthen national security.

Türkiye reported that NATO defenses have shot down three ballistic missiles fired from Iran since the war began. After the second interception, NATO deployed Patriot defenses in the central Malatya region, where the Kürecik air base is located, which houses a NATO early-warning radar system manned by U.S. troops that can detect Iranian missile launches.

Authorities have not disclosed the intended target of the third missile, but an explosion was heard overnight near the Incirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana. The base hosts U.S. forces along with Turkish and allied personnel. Ankara has said Washington has not used Incirlik in its air operations against Iran alongside Israel.

Turkish authorities have lodged diplomatic protests with Tehran after each missile incident while maintaining contact to clarify what happened.

Iranian officials have insisted that they did not fire at Türkiye, although the available data shows that the missiles came from Iran, the Turkish foreign minister said on Saturday.

Türkiye, which shares a border with Iran and fields NATO’s second-largest army, has stressed that it does not want to be drawn into the war between Iran, Israel and the U.S.

Referring to the “terror-free Türkiye” initiative launched 17 months ago to end PKK terrorism, Erdoğan said they have overcome many critical thresholds smoothly.

“With the resolution of the issue in northern Syria through reconciliation, our security concerns have eased, (and) Syria’s territorial integrity has been preserved,” he said. “Our goal is to bring this beneficial process we have started to a safe conclusion, taking into account the bloody scenarios that are sought to be staged in our region.”

Türkiye’s efforts to end PKK violence that has killed more than 50,000 people and to remove the divisions fostered by the terrorist group over four decades entered a new stage last month.

Türkiye is working to bring a permanent end to PKK terrorism with its “terror-free Türkiye” initiative, first proposed in October 2024 by government ally Devlet Bahçeli, who extended an olive branch to the PKK’s jailed ringleader, Abdullah Öcalan, if he urged the organization to lay down its arms.

After the group announced last year that it would dissolve itself in response to Öcalan’s appeal, a parliamentary committee approved a report recommending legislation to accelerate the process.

The report will serve as a guide for Parliament in drafting legislation and is intended to facilitate the process once authorities confirm that the PKK has fully abandoned its armed activities.

A cross-party parliamentary commission recently published a report to prepare the legal groundwork for the process and support plans to reintegrate former PKK members. Authorities have said Parliament would evaluate the report after Eid, and a draft legislation would be announced by the end of April.

Erdoğan also mentioned that in a period when global uncertainty is increasing, Türkiye managed to grow its economy by 3.6% last year, with Türkiye becoming the third fastest-growing country among Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) nations in 2025.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marked Eid al-Fitr in his hometown of Rize on Friday, blending personal tradition, public ritual and pointed geopolitical messaging in a holiday appearance that carried both local warmth and global weight.

Erdoğan led Bayram prayers at the Merkez Camii in Güneysu, the Black Sea district where his family roots run deep.

He had arrived the previous night, keeping a low profile as he reunited with relatives and attended closed-door engagements before stepping into the public eye on the first morning of Eid.

After prayers, Erdoğan moved through a crowd of worshippers outside the mosque, exchanging greetings and brief conversations in a scene that reflected both religious observance and political familiarity.

The president, who has long used Rize as a symbolic anchor during major holidays, appeared at ease as he lingered among locals before turning to the press.

His remarks struck a dual tone.

He framed Eid as a moment of spiritual renewal, emphasizing unity, solidarity and fraternity within Türkiye and across the Muslim world.

Then, shifting to international affairs, he delivered a powerful assessment of the Middle East, describing the region as volatile and reiterating his criticism of Israel’s actions in the ongoing conflict.

Erdoğan underscored what he portrayed as the scale of humanitarian suffering, maintaining that accountability would come, a message consistent with Ankara’s stance since the escalation of violence in Gaza.

The intensity of the message contrasted with the simplicity of the setting.

Erdoğan paused to highlight a local staple, sampling Rize simit and instructing aides to serve it to journalists, a gesture that underscored his connection to the region.

“This is our simit. This only happens in Rize,” he said, briefly shifting the focus from geopolitics to local pride.

He later posed for photographs with members of the press before leaving the mosque area and returning to his family home in Güneysu, where he continued private Eid celebrations.

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan used Friday prayers and Eid celebrations in his hometown of Rize to condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions as a continued threat to regional and global stability, warning that Feb. 28 attacks sparked under Netanyahu’s provocations have deepened unrest across the Middle East.

He cited Israeli strikes in Lebanon since March 2 that have claimed at least 1,000 lives and displaced more than one million people.

Erdoğan led prayers at Sahil Mosque and joined locals at the Coastal Park for Rize’s Eid celebration, offering greetings to Muslims worldwide.

He expressed solidarity with communities observing the holiday under conflict, particularly in Gaza, Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Arakan, and Lebanon.

“We give thanks to Allah for allowing us to reach another Eid, while our hearts remain with those who celebrate with sorrow, grief, and pain,” Erdoğan said.

Invoking a hadith on believers sharing one another’s suffering like the organs of a single body, Erdoğan stressed patience, mutual support, and hope.

He called for compassion toward children, orphans, and those left destitute by war, highlighting Türkiye’s ongoing humanitarian and relief work.

Reflecting on Ramadan, Erdoğan noted Türkiye’s shared spiritual and social observances. From communal meals and prayers to charitable giving, he said, “We celebrated Ramadan in its full spirit, sharing bread, prayers, and acts of kindness with all segments of our nation.” He praised domestic volunteer efforts and international aid operations by organizations such as the Turkish Red Crescent and AFAD in crisis regions.

Quoting the late poet Sezai Karakoç, Erdoğan described Eid as a time when Muslims unite globally, spreading peace and reinforcing bonds.

“Hands join hands across nations, and together, Muslims build an unbreakable structure of solidarity, carrying the blessings of Ramadan into the world,” he said.

Erdoğan also commemorated Türkiye’s historic victories, including the 111th anniversary of the 18 March Çanakkale Naval Victory, and praised the courage and sacrifice of Turks from Malazgirt to Çanakkale and through the National Struggle and July 15 coup attempt.

“History demonstrates what people bound by faith and solidarity can achieve,” he said.

On the geopolitical front, Erdoğan criticized the closure of Al-Aqsa Mosque, ongoing Israeli settlement expansion, and repeated attacks in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

He highlighted the humanitarian toll, noting that forced displacements have exceeded one million.

He affirmed that Türkiye is mobilizing diplomatic channels to prevent escalation and shield the nation from being drawn into conflict.

“Through dialogue, diplomacy, and vigilance, we are ensuring our country remains secure while advocating for peace across the region,” Erdoğan said, citing successful interventions in Pakistan and Afghanistan that temporarily halted hostilities over the Eid holiday.

He concluded by reiterating hope and resilience. “No hardship, no injustice, no aggression will break our resolve. Justice and peace will ultimately prevail, and brighter days lie ahead. On behalf of the Turkish government, I wish all Muslims a blessed and peaceful Eid,” Erdoğan said.

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Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan criticized Israel for being the primary force behind a war that has pushed the region into an unprecedented crisis, as he reaffirmed Türkiye’s support for Qatar.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha on Thursday, Fidan condemned attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

“Israel is the primary party responsible for dragging our region into this unprecedented crisis,” Fidan said, adding that Israel is exploiting the current chaos to violate Gaza cease-fire conditions.

He warned that the ongoing war threatens regional unity and stability, calling for an immediate cease-fire and a diplomatic resolution to the crisis.

At the same time, Fidan emphasized that Iran’s actions are also contributing to instability.

“We clearly and consistently convey to our Iranian counterparts at every level of contact that these attacks and escalation, which could cause irreparable and lasting fractures among regional countries, must be stopped immediately.”

“Likewise, we stress that actions threatening navigation and maritime security must be avoided,” he added.

Fidan added that Tehran cannot justify targeting regional countries while under attack itself, warning that such actions deepen the crisis.

He said Türkiye is working with all parties to prevent the conflict from spreading further and to stop the situation from deteriorating into a wider regional war. He stressed that Qatar was targeted by an attack while carrying out full mediation efforts, and added: Such attacks can never be justified under any circumstances. Türkiye stands by brotherly Qatar and will continue to do so.”

“They were subjected to an attack they did not deserve, and this attack is still ongoing. First of all, I would like to convey the Turkish people’s and our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s wishes for a speedy recovery to our Qatari brothers,” Fidan noted.

He emphasized that the ongoing war threatens the security of all brotherly countries in the region and deeply undermines stability, adding that they traveled to Riyadh on Wednesday at the invitation of Saudi Arabia and strongly reaffirmed full solidarity with the countries targeted by the attacks.

He also said Türkiye and Qatar agree on the necessity of keeping dialogue channels open to establish peace and addressing the concerns of all parties through negotiations.

Ankara-Doha ties continue to strengthen across all areas in the spirit of strategic partnership, Fidan stressed, adding the two countries have consistently demonstrated strong solidarity in overcoming challenges and will maintain this stance with the same determination.

“We are in agreement to further advance our relations, particularly through new and concrete steps in the defense industry,” he said.

Recalling that this was the first meeting in this format since the start of the war, Fidan said the talks in Riyadh resulted in agreement on making joint efforts to immediately halt the attacks, establish a ceasefire, prevent the spread of the conflict, and resolve the crisis through diplomatic means.

Tragedy in Gaza remains

“We also underline that the war must not distract the international community from Palestine and the tragedy in Gaza. Israel is taking advantage of the chaos to recklessly continue violating the ceasefire. The situation on the ground remains grave,” Fidan said.

He noted that nearly 700 Palestinians have been killed since a ceasefire was reached, adding that negative developments continue to emerge daily from the West Bank.

“We strongly condemn Israel’s actions in East Jerusalem, particularly restrictions on access to holy sites, including Al-Aqsa Mosque, and attempts to alter the historical status quo,” he said.

He also stressed that Israel has begun implementing in Lebanon the same occupation and destruction policies it has carried out in Gaza.

“The international community must assume responsibility against Israel’s opportunistic policies based on faits accomplis and put a stop to its expansionism,” Fidan said.

“The only key to real and sustainable security in the region is the establishment of a just and honorable peace with the Palestinian people,” he underlined.

‘We are seeking ways to stop war before it worsens further’

Fidan stressed that Türkiye is doing its utmost to halt the attacks, adding: “Led by our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, we are sincerely seeking ways to stop the war before it evolves into a much worse situation.”

“Our president has undertaken initiatives in this direction. Together with my brother (Qatari counterpart Al Thani), we have also made joint efforts. Unfortunately, the (Iran) war could not be prevented,” he added.

He noted that Türkiye remains in contact with both the U.S. and Iran, trying to understand their positions and exploring ways to prevent further escalation.

“We have intensive exchanges of views, particularly with Qatar, as well as with other partners making efforts within this framework,” he said.

Emphasizing that nearly the entire world wants the attacks to stop, Fidan said there is a significant consensus on this issue, similar to the recognition of the State of Palestine.

He added that in talks with Iran, Türkiye seeks to ensure the conflict does not spread: “There is nothing that justifies Iran attacking regional countries simply because it is being struck. This deepens divisions, expands the war, and worsens the crisis.

“We continue to offer the most sincere and friendly advice to Iran as a responsible state — for both its own interests and those of the region,” Fidan said.

Fidan said the meeting in Riyadh, hosted by Saudi Arabia, focused on a single agenda item: “We attended upon Saudi Arabia’s invitation. Twelve countries were present. All regional countries directly or indirectly affected by the war were around the table,” Fidan said.

He said the sole agenda was “how to stop Iran’s attacks on the region and what measures should be taken,” adding: “Countries directly and heavily exposed to these attacks sought advice from brotherly countries like us.”

Noting that the meeting was lengthy, Fidan said participants emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Listening to our counterparts, the simultaneous launch of hundreds of drones and missiles and the disruption of normal life are pushing these states to take lasting measures,” he said.

Fidan also noted that he had spoken over the phone with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi before the meeting: “There was such a dialogue: ‘You are calling us now while missiles are coming from above. Missiles have just hit Riyadh. At least refrain from sending missiles to Riyadh during the meeting.”

“They, of course, want their diplomatic positions to be considered in certain settings. We listened to them and gave the necessary responses. We do not find the attacks against them justified, but neither do we find their attacks on regional countries justified. One wrong should not lead to another,” Fidan stressed.

He added that Iran should not choose the path of escalating the conflict, adding that Türkiye’s efforts on this issue will continue.

Fidan is on a tour to the Middle East countries to discuss the ongoing war in the region.

The tour came amid rapidly intensifying regional instability since the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive on Iran started on Feb. 28, along with Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory strikes across multiple countries in the region.

Fidan arrived in Doha following talks in Riyadh, as part of ongoing regional diplomacy aimed at de-escalating tensions. During his visit, Fidan toured the Türkiye-Qatar Combined Joint Force Command Headquarters in the Qatari capital, underlining the close military cooperation between the two countries.

Türkiye called on Wednesday for Syria to be shielded from the broader regional escalation triggered by ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, warning that growing instability poses a direct threat to Syria’s recovery.

Speaking at a U.N. Security Council session on the situation in the Middle East, Türkiye’s permanent representative to the U.N., Ambassador Ahmet Yıldız, commended the Syrian government for its efforts to keep the country out of the regional conflict, saying it was “essential to keep Syria insulated from these tensions.”

He pointed to the ripple effects of Israeli attacks on Lebanon, which he said had internally displaced more than 1 million people and pushed over 100,000, predominantly Syrians, back across the border into Syria.

“In the face of this large-scale population movement, it is of utmost importance that U.N. entities, in particular the UNHCR and OCHA, continue to provide necessary support to the Syrian government,” Yıldız said.

He also called on Israel to withdraw from the southern Syrian buffer zone and areas it has occupied since Dec. 8, 2024, stressing that stability in southern Syria must be achieved in full compliance with the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and in respect of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Yıldız also warned against complacency on counterterrorism, saying the threat posed by the Daesh terrorist group must be closely monitored during the current period of heightened instability and that Syria should be supported in strengthening its counterterrorism capacity as a member of the global coalition against the group.

“We must not allow the current environment to provide an opportunity for its reemergence,” he said.

On Syria’s political trajectory, the ambassador struck a cautiously optimistic tone, saying progress across security, political and economic spheres pointed toward “a more hopeful and constructive path.”

He also welcomed the removal of the Nusra Front, also known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, from the U.N. sanctions regime as an important step toward bolstering the international legitimacy of the Syrian government and urged sustained engagement to seize “a clear window of opportunity” for lasting stability.

On Dec. 8, 2024, Syrian opposition forces entered the capital Damascus, effectively ending Bashar Assad’s 24-year rule and the Assad family dynasty.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham was one of the most prominent armed groups opposing Assad’s forces during Syria’s civil war, led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, Syria’s president in the wake of Assad’s ouster.

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