12.08.2026 08:40
Following the Terror-Free Turkey regulation passed by the Turkish Grand National Assembly, attention has turned to the disarmament process. While PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan is expected to soon call on group members to surrender their weapons and return to Turkey, it is anticipated that the disarmament will be completed by the end of September, and if the National Security Council decision is issued, the framework law will begin to be implemented as of October.
The road map for the 'Terror-Free Turkey' regulation, which became law after a grueling 12-hour session in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, has become clear.
THE MOST CRITICAL THRESHOLD: SURRENDER OF WEAPONS AND MGK DECISION
The perception that the process is complete with the law taking effect does not reflect reality; on the contrary, the actual implementation phase is now beginning. The first and most important condition of the process will be that security institutions clearly determine that the terrorist organization has ceased to exist and has surrendered all its weapons. Following this confirmation, the issue will come to the agenda of the National Security Council (MGK). The legal process will officially begin with the publication in the Official Gazette of the MGK's decision that the organization has been dissolved.
CALL EXPECTED FROM ÖCALAN
According to information obtained by Türkiye newspaper from the security bureaucracy, a timeline of 1.5 to 2 months is envisaged for PKK elements to lay down their arms, evacuate caves, and hand over logistical materials. In this context, it is expected that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan will soon make a call to 'surrender all weapons to the relevant places and return to Turkey,' and that the leadership in Kandil will, within a few days, explain the process regarding the caves they have withdrawn from.
FRAMEWORK LAW TO TAKE EFFECT FROM OCTOBER
If the disarmament process is completed by the end of September and the MGK decision is issued, the implementation of the framework law will begin as of October.
DELIVERY ADDRESSES: ERBIL AND SULAIMANIYAH
One of the most curious aspects of the process—where and how the weapons will be handed over—is also becoming clear. A plan has been made as a result of contacts conducted by the MIT and relevant institutions with the Iraqi central government, the Northern Iraq administration, and Syrian officials. Accordingly, it is stated that organization members in Iraq will apply to special units established at Turkish representations in Erbil and Sulaimaniyah and will surrender their weapons at these two centers.
TWO SEPARATE BOARDS TO MANAGE THE PROCESS
The framework law envisages two different control mechanisms to ensure the process is carried out transparently and auditable:
Executive Board: It will convene under the chairmanship of Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz. The board will include the Ministers of Justice, Interior, Foreign Affairs, and National Defense, as well as the Presidential Secretary General, the MGK Secretary General, and the MIT President. This board will manage the disarmament process with real-time information from security institutions.
Monitoring and Liaison Board: This board, to be established within the Turkish Grand National Assembly, will include representatives of political parties. Thus, the process will also progress under the direct supervision of the Parliament and political parties.
6-MONTH PERIOD, SENTENCE DEFERRAL, AND POLITICAL BAN
Following the publication of the MGK's dissolution decision in the Official Gazette, a critical 6-month application period will begin for those who wish to benefit from the law. A 10-year sentence deferral will be applied for crimes requiring more than 15 years of imprisonment, and a 5-year deferral for crimes requiring 15 years or less. Investigations and trials will be suspended. The path to release will be opened for convicts in prison who meet the conditions. The regulation does not constitute a permanent amnesty. For those who commit terrorist crimes again during the deferral period, the deferral decision will be immediately lifted and their sentences will be enforced. Individuals benefiting from the law will be subject to a political ban ranging from 2 to 3 years.