(MENAFN) The United Nations expressed strong approval on Friday as the PKK terror group began its disarmament process, marking a significant development in regional security efforts.

At a press briefing, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated, "I can tell you that we very much welcome the operationalization of the agreement, at least the first step of the operationalization."

This announcement followed the disarmament of 30 PKK militants—including 15 women—who surrendered their weapons and destroyed them in northern Iraq’s Sulaymaniyah province.

The militants assembled inside a cave located in Sulaymaniyah’s Surdas sub-district, then emerged with their arms before proceeding to a designated disarmament site.

Dujarric conveyed optimism that this move will pave the way for additional progress toward enduring peace in the area, underscoring the UN’s readiness to "support this in any way that we can, should we be asked."

The PKK’s decision to dissolve and relinquish its arms was declared in May, following a call from jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan in February. Ocalan urged the group and its affiliates to end the decades-long armed insurgency.

Over the course of more than 40 years, the PKK, which is designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU, has been linked to the deaths of over 40,000 individuals, including civilians such as women, children, infants, and the elderly.

The group has historically used northern Iraq, near the Turkish border, as a base to launch attacks against Türkiye.

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