Sat Jul 12 15:07:57 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article rewritten from the provided text, adhering to the requested constraints:
**Summary:**
Turkish President Erdogan declared victory after the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) symbolically destroyed weapons in Iraqi Kurdistan, marking a significant step towards ending the decades-long conflict. The PKK, formed in 1978, has been engaged in armed struggle for Kurdish liberation since 1984, resulting in over 40,000 deaths. The event is seen as a transition from armed insurgency to democratic politics for the PKK.
**News Article:**
**Turkey Declares Victory as Kurdish Rebels Destroy Weapons**
**Istanbul, July 12, 2025** – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced Saturday that Turkey has achieved victory after the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) destroyed its weapons. The symbolic ceremony took place Friday in Iraqi Kurdistan, marking a significant turning point in the decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdish rebels.
“Turkiye has won. Eighty-six million citizens have won,” Erdogan stated, emphasizing the importance of this development for the country’s future. “We know what we are doing. Nobody needs to worry or ask questions. We are doing all this for Turkiye, for our future.”
The PKK, formed in 1978, began its armed struggle in 1984 with the goal of Kurdish liberation. The conflict has resulted in the loss of over 40,000 lives. Friday’s event represents a major step in the PKK’s transition from armed insurgency to democratic politics. The development is part of broader efforts to resolve one of the region’s longest-running conflicts.
First Piper 