Türkiye’s iron fist ready if PKK terror group doesn’t disband: Erdogan

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned on Saturday that Türkiye would continue its military operations against the PKK terrorist organization unless they honor their pledge to disband.

“If the promises given are not kept and an attempt is made to delay… or deceive… we will continue our ongoing operations… until we eliminate the last terrorist,” Erdogan stated during a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner in Istanbul.

This follows a cease-fire declared by the PKK terror group after a call from their jailed ringleader, Abdullah Ocalan, to disband and lay down arms. The terror group announced on Saturday that it would comply with Ocalan’s call, stating: “None of our forces will take armed action unless attacked.”

Terror-free Türkiye: Bahceli

The process began in October when Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), urged Ocalan to publicly renounced “terror.”

Meanwhile, in a written statement on Saturday, Bahceli addressed the PKK disarmament and cease-fire within the framework of the goal for a “Terror-Free Türkiye,” saying, “Finally, in the new century, the dawn of Türkiye without terrorism has arrived, and thus the sunrise of national peace and tranquility has come very close.”

Speaking to the families of those affected by PKK attacks, Erdogan assured that the initiative would not disturb the “sacred spirits of our martyrs,” emphasizing that Türkiye would emerge victorious.

‘We keep our iron fist ready’

“Our children, the guarantee of our bright tomorrows,” he said, adding, “We always keep our iron fist ready in case the hand we extend is left hanging in the air or bitten.”

Ocalan, the jailed ringleader of the PKK, issued a highly anticipated statement on Thursday calling for an end to the armed conflict. The PKK’s cease-fire announcement on Saturday confirmed full agreement with Ocalan’s letter.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S., and the EU, has waged a 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, resulting in the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and the elderly. The YPG, its affiliate in Syria, has also been a target of conflict.