Kurdish fighters from Turkey reach Iraq
15 May 2013 7:49 AM IST
The first group of Kurdish fighters leaving Turkey as part of a peace drive with Ankara arrived to handshakes and embraces in Iraqi Kurdistan early today after a gruelling week-long journey.
‘We are the first group to reach the safe area in Iraq,’ said Jagar, leader of the group of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters that comprised nine men and six women.The fighters, who arrived in the Harur area at about 6:00 am (0300 GMT), were armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles, light machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
They were greeted by PKK members based in Iraq, who embraced them and shook their hands.
After the welcome, the apparently-exhausted fighters put down their weapons and warmed themselves at a fire.
‘Our withdrawal came according 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 jailed in Turkey.
‘We faced many difficulties because of rain and snow’, they said.
‘We are the first group to reach the safe area in Iraq,’ said Jagar, leader of the group of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters that comprised nine men and six women.The fighters, who arrived in the Harur area at about 6:00 am (0300 GMT), were armed with Kalashnikov assault rifles, light machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
They were greeted by PKK members based in Iraq, who embraced them and shook their hands.
After the welcome, the apparently-exhausted fighters put down their weapons and warmed themselves at a fire.
‘Our withdrawal came according 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 jailed in Turkey.
‘We faced many difficulties because of rain and snow’, they said.
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