ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - A highly anticipated ceremony in Sulaimani marking the first phase of disarmament by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has been significantly scaled back due to “changed security situations,” organizers announced. The Kurdistan Community Union (KCK), an umbrella group that includes the PKK, had previously extended invitations to Kurdistan Region political parties and journalists to attend the event. However, in a statement, the KCK confirmed that the ceremony will proceed without live broadcast or press attendance. “We are deeply sorry for this and kindly ask for your understanding,” said Cudi Serhat of the KCK press office in a statement seen by Rudaw English. He added that video recordings of the event will be shown later on a nearby screen. “This will be the only way we can keep you informed,” the statement read, acknowledging that some guests may choose not to attend due to the last-minute changes. The event comes amid a broader initiative led by Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) to resolve the four-decade-long conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state, which has claimed over 40,000 lives - mainly PKK fighters. In May, the PKK announced its dissolution, following a February appeal from its jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan to abandon armed struggle in favor of a political solution centered on Kurdish rights. Ankara has cautiously welcomed the announcement with Turkish officials have stressed the need for tangible steps to fully complete the disarmament process. For its part, the PKK is calling for democratic reforms and expanded cultural and political rights for Kurds as conditions for lasting peace. Last week, Rudaw learned that the first group of PKK fighters is expected to disarm in the Kurdistan Region, marking a significant milestone toward ending the longstanding conflict. A DEM Party official confirmed on Monday that the event is scheduled to take place on Friday, July 11, in the Region’s eastern Sulaimani province. Earlier the same day, a well-informed source speaking to Rudaw on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, revealed that "nearly 50 political, intellectual, and public figures from northern Kurdistan [southeast Turkey] and Turkey have been invited" to the ceremony. The source also said that "more than 30 parliamentarians, academics, and political figures from Europe and the United States will participate," adding that major international media outlets had been invited as well. However, given the KCK’s recent announcement, it remains unclear how many of the invited guests and dignitaries will attend the scaled-down event in person. Updated at 11:40 pm
