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Turkey Says PKK Withdrew From Four Metina Positions

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 8:07 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Turkey says PKK withdrew from four positions in northern Iraq’s Metina region.
Leipzig PhD student Kamal Chomani secured an exclusive interview with PKK co-founder Murat Karayilan.
Karayilan warned the Middle East is entering a “Third World War” between Shias and Sunnis.
He demanded the 464-vote Turkish law recognize Kurdish identity, language and culture and release Abdullah Ocalan.
He warned PKK disarmament alone cannot resolve the Kurdish issue without those rights.

History

Historical Context

In February 1999 Turkish intelligence captured PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan in Nairobi and extradited him to Turkey. His trial began on 31 May 1999, ended 29 June with a death sentence that was commuted to life imprisonment in October 2002 after Turkey abolished the death penalty, enabling EU accession talks. The event revived Kurdish-Turkish tensions that had seen a 1993 cease-fire and later hunger strikes.

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Story summary

Turkey says PKK withdrew from four positions in northern Iraq’s Metina region.
Leipzig PhD student Kamal Chomani secured an exclusive interview with PKK co-founder Murat Karayilan.
Karayilan warned the Middle East is entering a “Third World War” between Shias and Sunnis.
He demanded the 464-vote Turkish law recognize Kurdish identity, language and culture and release Abdullah Ocalan.
He warned PKK disarmament alone cannot resolve the Kurdish issue without those rights.

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