First Kurd rebels reach Iraq under Turkey truce Read more:

[Aslan]

HARUR, Iraq: A first group of Kurdish fighters pulling out of Turkey under a truce arrived in the autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq Tuesday to handshakes and embraces after a grueling weeklong journey.

But the Iraqi government slammed the movement of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters into its territory as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty and said it would complain to the U.N. Security Council.

“We are the first group to reach the safe area in Iraq,” said Jagar, leader of the group of PKK fighters that comprised nine men and six women.

The fighters, who arrived in the Harur area of Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region at about 6 a.m., were armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles, light machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.

They were greeted by Iraq-based PKK members who embraced them and shook their hands.

After the welcome, the apparently exhausted fighters put down their weapons and warmed up at a fire.

“Our withdrawal came in response to orders from the leader [Abdullah] Ocalan, as we want to open a way for peace through this withdrawal,” Jagar said, referring to the PKK chief held by Turkey since 1999.

“We faced many difficulties because of rain and snow” during seven days on the road, he said, adding that their movements had been monitored by Turkish aircraft.

“We were getting ready to start a big fight with Turkey, but we responded to the call of our leader Ocalan and withdrew,” said Midiya Afreen, one of the group. “This is a new phase. ... This is the phase of peace.”

The PKK took up arms for Kurdish self-rule in southeastern Turkey in 1984, sparking a conflict in which some 45,000 people have died.

But it is now withdrawing its fighters as part of a push for peace with the Turkish authorities.

The roughly 2,000 fighters in Turkey are leaving on foot, traveling through the rugged border zone to reach safe havens in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region, where they will join thousands of fighters already present in rear bases.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly vowed that retreating rebels “will not be touched,” and said that “laying down weapons” should be the top priority for the PKK.

The PKK, however, is demanding wider rights for Turkey’s Kurds, who make up around 20 percent of the 75 million population, before disarming.

Over the years, the PKK has scaled back its original demand for outright secession to a call for autonomy and cultural and language rights for Turkey’s Kurdish minority.

The Iraqi government sharply criticized the movement of more PKK fighters onto its soil.

“The Iraqi government confirms its rejection of the withdrawal and the presence of armed men of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party inside Iraqi territory, which is a flagrant violation of Iraq’s sovereignty and independence,” a statement from the Cabinet said. Iraq plans to complain to the U.N. Security Council, asking it to “take the necessary decision to prevent the violation of Iraq’s sovereignty.”

But security forces under the command of the Kurdish region, not the federal government, man Iraq’s border with Turkey and decide who enters the region.


PKK group of militants leaves Turkey and arrives in Northern Iraq

A group of 15 militants of the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party arrived in Northern Iraq, Hurriyet newspaper said today.

According to the report, a group of militants, consisting of six women and nine men, left the Turkish province of Hakkari a week ago.

PKK militants began leaving the Turkish territory on May 8. The militants were not accompanied by security forces or drones.

Imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan previously called on members of the organization to lay down arms and leave the country.

Turkish authorities promised to create the conditions for PKK militants who laid down their weapons to freely leave the country.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK over an independent Kurdish state has lasted for over 25 years and has claimed more than 40,000 lives. The PKK is recognized as a terrorist organization by the UN and the European Union.