Türkiye’s “terror-free Türkiye” initiative is entering a critical new phase as a newly established oversight board prepares to hold its first meeting Monday to coordinate the disarmament process of the PKK and oversee steps aimed at strengthening national solidarity and social cohesion.

Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz will chair the inaugural meeting of the Board of Monitoring and Assessment, established under the Law on Strengthening National Solidarity and Social Cohesion.

The board brings together the ministers of justice, foreign affairs, interior and national defense, as well as the Presidency’s secretary-general, the intelligence chief and the secretary-general of the National Security Board.

The initiative follows months of political and security developments centered on the PKK’s dissolution and disarmament. Turkish authorities are currently monitoring the process, while the newly adopted law will take effect in relevant areas once the group’s full disarmament has been officially verified.

Boards to oversee weapons handover and legal procedures

According to Turkish media reports, Monday’s meeting is expected to focus primarily on establishing several subordinate boards tasked with different aspects of the disarmament and reintegration process.

The first working board is expected to coordinate the handover of weapons and establish mechanisms for verifying the process on the ground. The location and timing of weapons deliveries are also expected to be addressed.

Most PKK members are based in northern Iraq, where the group has maintained positions in mountainous areas and reportedly operates an extensive network of caves and hideouts.

A separate board will focus on judicial procedures for PKK members who surrender to authorities. It is expected to receive input from judicial officials involved in the process, classify the legal files of individual PKK members and determine their eligibility for provisions under the new law.

Another board will oversee the social integration and rehabilitation of PKK members who voluntarily return to Türkiye. Specialists from the Ministry of Family and Social Services and the Ministry of Health are expected to contribute to this process.

A further working body will be established to register PKK members applying for legal deferrals under the legislation.

Law provides limited legal exemptions

The new legislation consists of 12 articles and introduces temporary legal provisions for certain PKK members who surrender, provided they have not participated in terrorism or other serious offenses.

Under the law, investigations, prosecutions and the execution of finalized sentences related to certain crimes committed within the scope of or in support of PKK activities may be deferred for five or 10 years, depending on the nature of the offense and the severity of the sentence.

The provisions do not cover intentional homicide committed as part of organizational activities. They also exclude offenses committed before June 1, 2005, that carry life imprisonment or aggravated life imprisonment.

As a result, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan is not eligible for the relevant provisions under the new legislation. Individuals convicted of intentional homicide are likewise excluded.

The law also allows for the stay of prosecution and deferral of sentence execution for eligible PKK members who apply within six months, with decisions ultimately subject to judicial discretion.

Process tied to formal disarmament confirmation

Further steps under the law remain contingent on the publication of a National Security Board decision confirming that the PKK has fully laid down its arms.

The Board of Monitoring and Assessment, chaired by Yılmaz, is expected to provide regular briefings to Parliament on developments. Parliament will subsequently establish a Monitoring Committee to oversee the next stage of the initiative.

The arrangement is intended to create a structured mechanism for verifying disarmament, addressing legal procedures and supporting the social reintegration of eligible individuals.

Erdoğan and Bahçeli to discuss initiative in eastern Türkiye

The terror-free Türkiye initiative is also expected to feature prominently during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visit to eastern Türkiye this week for commemorations marking the anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert, which established Seljuk rule in Anatolia 955 years ago.

Erdoğan is expected to visit Ahlat and Malazgirt and chair a Cabinet meeting in Ahlat. The initiative has been a recurring theme in speeches delivered by Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli at the annual commemorations.

Bahçeli is widely credited with initiating the current political push toward a terror-free Türkiye.

In his 2024 address, Erdoğan emphasized the concept of a “common homeland and common future,” while his 2025 message highlighted the historic coexistence of Turks, Kurds and Arabs in the region.

Erdoğan and Bahçeli have presented the initiative as a process aimed at strengthening unity between Türkiye’s Turkish and Kurdish citizens while eliminating terrorism and establishing a new framework for national solidarity.

With the monitoring board now beginning its work, Ankara is moving from the political phase of the initiative toward the practical implementation of disarmament, verification, legal procedures and reintegration. (ILKHA)