ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Kurdistan Region political and party leaders on Friday welcomed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) self-disarmament, labeling it as “historic” and “an important step” for the Kurdish nation, Turkey, and the entire region.

In a historic ceremony, 30 PKK fighters, including four commanders, destroyed and burned their weapons near Jasana Cave, in Sulaimani province’s Dukan district on Friday, nearly five months after the group’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a call requesting that the faction dissolve and disarm.

Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on X welcomed the "first step" of the group's disarmament, saying, "I hope that all parties will commit to achieving genuine peace and a new era of coexistence and stability."

Hours after the ceremony, former Kurdistan Region President and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader Masoud Barzani received a delegation from Turkey’s pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), who played a key role in the ongoing peace process.

“President Barzani stressed that the steps taken in the peace process are important steps in the right direction, adding that the peace process requires patience and diligence to achieve a good result,” read a statement from his office.

The Kurdish leader emphasized that he will do everything within his power to ensure the success of the peace process and called on all political parties in Kurdistan to support the process as well.

The DEM Party delegation, headed by co-chair Tuncir Bakirhan, thanked Barzani for his support for the process and urged him to continue in the role. The party also delivered Ocalan’s message in which he had expressed his desire to meet with the Kurdish leader, to which Barzani responded that “the visit will occur during the appropriate circumstances.”

Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani also welcomed the PKK disarmament ceremony, describing it as “another important step” taken towards “the success of the peace process.”

“We are certain that this step will take the peace process to a fresh stage,” wrote the Kurdistan Region president, reiterating the Region’s “full support” and readiness to provide “all necessary assistance and facilitation.”

Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) leader Bafel Talabani described the ceremony as “a historic step towards a new phase” in Turkey and its southeastern Kurdish region, noting that his party believes that “bloodshed will only deepen the problems, and now is the time to lay down arms and go to the negotiating table to achieve the legitimate rights of all parties.”

“We hope this step marks the beginning of a new phase in normalizing relations between the parties and directly strengthens the stability of the Kurdistan Region,” he added.

“History was made in Sulaimani today,” wrote Kurdistan Region Deputy Prime Minister Qubad Talabani, adding: “We will continue to support this process with deep hope for peace and democracy.”

The PKK announced its historic decision to disband following its 12th Congress in early May, which responded to Ocalan's call for disarmament and ended a multi-decade armed campaign against the Turkish state.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the self-disarmament as an “important step,” and expressed his hope that the move brings “blessings” on Ankara’s path toward its goal of “a terrorism-free Turkey.”

The DEM Party labeled Friday’s disarmament “a turning point” for Turkey and the entire Middle East, stating that the move “provided assurance that not only the Kurdish issue but all of Turkey’s problems will be resolved through democratic means.”

“Now is the time to take steps towards a democratic Turkey of the future by making democratic political and legal arrangements together, and it is time to intensify the struggle for democratic politics,” the statement from the mediating party added.

Iraq's foreign ministry also welcomed the commencement of the PKK disarmament, saying it “paves the way for a new phase of constructive cooperation” between Iraq and Turkey.

“The Ministry considers this step an important development that represents an effective beginning for the disarmament process and represents a real opportunity to support stability and enhance lasting reconciliation efforts in the region,” the statement said.