Turkey (and Beyond) Summary: PKK Sets Withdrawal Date

Turkey: PKK Announces Withdrawal from Turkey

The Kurdish PKK insurgency has announced it will withdraw thousands of fighters from Turkish soil starting 8 May.

The insurgents will move to northern Iraq as part of the peace process between the Erdogan Government and PKK head Abdullah Ocalan, seeking to end three decades of conflict.. 

The PKK warned the Turkish military against "provocations" which would result in the end of the pledged withdrawal. The organisation said the move would be phased over montha and --- in a declaration likely to be opposed by the Government --- said fighters would keep their weapons.