Residents in Turkiye’s mainly Kurdish-populated southeastern region reacted with a mix of relief, joy and uncertainty on Tuesday (August 11, 2026) after Parliament approved a conditional pardon for thousands of Kurdish militants, offering them a potential path toward integration into normal life in Turkiye.
Further reforms needed, Kurdish leaders warn
I even applauded (the result) in my own home,” said 70-year-old retiree Ali Akdogan. Hasan Gecti, a 56-year-old shop owner, also said he believes the stability and lack of violence will benefit the region’s people economically and socially, but suggested that other matters, such as greater Kurdish rights, have not been addressed. The group then staged a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq, where it is based, and announced that it was withdrawing fighters from key locations in Turkiye to Iraq.
“I believe it will bring peace,” he continued, noting that since the start of the peace process, there have been no deaths related to the conflict, which killed thousands of civilians, soldiers and militants over more than four decades. In my opinion, only the terrorism problem has been solved,” Gecti said. Turkish media reports said thousands of PKK members are likely to benefit, including those in exile in Europe and those who are based in Iraq and Syria. “It signals that violence is ending and the doors of politics are opening,” he said.
“I was really very happy. “The economy will improve, good things will happen, people will start doing business. Among other issues, Kurds have been calling for broader use of their language in education and public services, along with greater political rights, including an end to the government’s practice of ousting elected mayors and replacing them with government-appointed officials. “Has the Kurdish issue been directly solved? That’s a bit of a question mark. “Unfortunately, the Kurdish issue still remains where it is.
