...

Logo Pasino du Havre - Casino-Hôtel - Spa
in partnership with
Logo Nextory

Turkish committee begins work on PKK peace deal in step towards end of decades-long insurgency

• Aug 5, 2025, 5:45 PM
5 min de lecture
1

A newly formed parliamentary committee in Turkey tasked with overseeing a peace initiative with a Kurdish militant group held its inaugural meeting on Tuesday, marking a further step towards ending a decades-long insurgency.

The 51-member committee, comprised of legislators from most major parties, has been charged with proposing and supervising legal and political reforms aimed at advancing the peace process, following the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) decision to disband and lay down arms.

Fighters from the group began surrendering their weapons in a symbolic ceremony in northern Iraq last month, the first concrete step toward disarmament.

In his opening remarks, Turkish Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş called the committee’s launch a "historic turning point."

"The commission gathered here is no ordinary delegation; it is a historic one, demonstrating the courage to repair our future and the will to strengthen social integration," he said.

Forces of the regional Kurdish administration secure an area ahead of a disarmament ceremony by the PKK in Iraq, 11 July, 2025
Forces of the regional Kurdish administration secure an area ahead of a disarmament ceremony by the PKK in Iraq, 11 July, 2025 AP Photo

"In this hall, we are witnessing the beginning of a new era, representing the will of the nation."

The committee on Tuesday decided to name itself the National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Committee, according to the Sabah daily newspaper, which is close to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's government.

During its first meeting, committee members were also expected to hold discussions on next steps.

The PKK announced in May that it would disband and renounce armed conflict, ending four decades of hostilities.

The move came after PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been imprisoned on an island near Istanbul since 1999, urged his group in February to convene a congress and formally disband and disarm.

Youngsters hold a photograph of Abdullah Öcalan the jailed leader of the PKK in Diyarbakır, 27 February, 2025
Youngsters hold a photograph of Abdullah Öcalan the jailed leader of the PKK in Diyarbakır, 27 February, 2025 AP Photo

The PKK has waged an armed insurgency against Turkey since 1984, initially with the aim of establishing a Kurdish state in the southeast of the country.

Over time, the objective evolved into a campaign for greater autonomy and rights for Kurds within Turkey.

The conflict between militants and state forces, which has spread beyond Turkey’s borders into Iraq and Syria, has killed tens of thousands of people.

The PKK is considered to be a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Previous peace efforts between Turkey and the PKK have all ended in failure, most recently in 2015.


Today

Palestinian children injured in Gaza to receive treatment in San Francisco
• 3:17 PM
1 min
Two Palestinian children injured in Gaza have arrived in San Francisco to begin life-saving medical treatment, as part of a humanitarian mission led by a US-based nonprofit.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euro
Read the article
El Al airline's Paris office vandalised with anti-Israel graffiti
• 2:45 PM
3 min
Israel's Foreign Ministry called the attack antisemitic and urged French authorities to act.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/07/el-al-airlines-paris-office-vandalised-with-anti-israel-graff
Read the article
Shanghai launches China’s first fitness centre for dogs
• 2:29 PM
1 min
A new kind of fitness centre has opened in Shanghai’s West Bund — but its clients are all dogs.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/07/shanghai-launches-chinas-first-fitness-centre-for-dogs?utm
Read the article
Israel's security cabinet to debate expanding Gaza operation despite opposition
• 2:01 PM
10 min
Israel's security cabinet is set to convene and discuss the expansion of military operations in Gaza amid opposition from the IDF and concerns for hostages' safety.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/
Read the article
UK border force makes first arrests under new 'one in, one out' migrant deal with France
• 11:16 AM
3 min
Under the scheme, which was announced last month, France will accept returned migrants in exchange for the UK taking in an equal number of asylum seekers who have family ties to Britain.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="htt
Read the article
US President Donald Trump's sweeping global tariffs go into effect
• 10:08 AM
4 min
The move comes after Washington paused its "reciprocal tariffs" for almost four months to allow countries to negotiate trade deals with the US.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/07/us-preside
Read the article
Putin will meet Trump, but will he meet Zelenskyy?
• 10:03 AM
5 min
The presidents of the US and Russia have agreed to meet in the "coming days", the Kremlin said, adding that the venue has also been decided. Will the meeting also include Ukraine’s president Zelenskyy, and what does it mean for Trump’s ceasefire deadline
Read the article
Latest news bulletin | August 7th, 2025 – Midday
• 10:00 AM
1 min
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 7th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://
Read the article
‘Extinct in the wild’ Barbary lion cubs in Czech zoo prepare for relocation
• 8:52 AM
1 min
Four rare Barbary lion cubs are set to leave Safari Park Dvůr Králové as part of an international effort to protect the critically endangered subspecies.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/07/
Read the article
At least six killed and dozens injured in Russian strikes on Ukraine
• 8:41 AM
3 min
Russian attacks killed several across Ukraine overnight on Thursday as US President Donald Trump's deadline for Moscow to agree to a halt in fighting looms.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/
Read the article
Latest news bulletin | August 7th, 2025 – Morning
• 5:00 AM
1 min
Catch up with the most important stories from around Europe and beyond this August 7th, 2025 - latest news, breaking news, World, Business, Entertainment, Politics, Culture, Travel.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://
Read the article
South Korea and US to begin large-scale military drills amid North Korea tensions
• 4:46 AM
2 min
South Korea and the US will launch their annual joint military exercises this month to counter North Korean threats, likely irritating Pyongyang.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/07/south-ko
Read the article
Victims of Jeffrey Epstein report feeling 'anxious, exhausted' about disputes regarding sealed files
• 4:03 AM
6 min
Some victims of disgraced sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s victims expressed concern over reports the Trump administration may be considering offering his former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell immunity if she testifies before Congress in their efforts to make
Read the article
Ghana helicopter crash kills defence and environment ministers
• 3:11 AM
2 min
A military helicopter crash in Ghana killed eight, including Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. A probe is under way.<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronew
Read the article
Florida woman arrested for treating thousands of patients while posing as qualified nurse
• 12:26 AM
2 min
The county sheriff who announced her detention called it "one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud we’ve ever investigated".<div class="small-12 column text-center article__button"><a href="https://www.euronews.com/2025/08/07/florida-woman-arrest
Read the article