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Kurdish PKK rebels 'begin leaving Turkey' after truce Kurdish PKK rebels 'begin leaving Turkey' after truce
(35 minutes later)
Kurdish rebel fighters have begun leaving south-eastern Turkey for their safe havens in Iraq under a ceasefire, Kurdish sources say.Kurdish rebel fighters have begun leaving south-eastern Turkey for their safe havens in Iraq under a ceasefire, Kurdish sources say.
"We know that they have started moving," Selahattin Demirtas, a pro-Kurdish politician involved in the peace process, told AFP news agency."We know that they have started moving," Selahattin Demirtas, a pro-Kurdish politician involved in the peace process, told AFP news agency.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced last month a phased withdrawal to start early in May.The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) announced last month a phased withdrawal to start early in May.
More than 40,000 people have died in their 30-year fight against Turkey.More than 40,000 people have died in their 30-year fight against Turkey.
Gultan Kisinak, who co-chairs the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) along with Mr Demirtas, told the Associated Press news agency that a first group of fighters had started to move toward the border with northern Iraq.Gultan Kisinak, who co-chairs the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) along with Mr Demirtas, told the Associated Press news agency that a first group of fighters had started to move toward the border with northern Iraq.
The PKK is believed to have up to 2,000 fighters inside Turkey and their full withdrawal may take several months. The PKK is believed to have up to 2,000 fighters inside Turkey and their full withdrawal may take up to four months.
They are expected to cross the border on foot, heading for their bases in the Qandil Mountains of Iraq.They are expected to cross the border on foot, heading for their bases in the Qandil Mountains of Iraq.
Abdullah Ocalan, the veteran PKK leader in prison in Turkey, ordered the withdrawal in March as part of peace negotiations with Ankara.Abdullah Ocalan, the veteran PKK leader in prison in Turkey, ordered the withdrawal in March as part of peace negotiations with Ankara.
Withdrawal nervesWithdrawal nerves
According to AFP, PKK fighters complained on Tuesday that the Turkish state had increased its forces in the border area and was carrying out surveillance flights. A PKK spokesman, Bakhtiyar Dogan, told the Kurdish newspaper Hawlati that between 200 and 500 fighters would withdraw on Wednesday.
They would, he said, leave from the Semdinli and Sirnak areas of Turkey "on three fronts".
According to AFP, PKK fighters complained on the eve of the withdrawal that the Turkish state had increased its forces in the border area and was carrying out surveillance flights.
Such actions, they said, were "delaying the peace process" and paving the way for "provocations and clashes".Such actions, they said, were "delaying the peace process" and paving the way for "provocations and clashes".
The Turkish army did not confirm any extra measures but said their "fight against any terrorism" continued.The Turkish army did not confirm any extra measures but said their "fight against any terrorism" continued.
The PKK's acting leader, Murat Karayilan, warned in April that the fighters would strike back and the withdrawal would halt "immediately" if they were attacked.The PKK's acting leader, Murat Karayilan, warned in April that the fighters would strike back and the withdrawal would halt "immediately" if they were attacked.
"We have no doubt about the state but fear provocation from dark forces," Mr Demirtas said."We have no doubt about the state but fear provocation from dark forces," Mr Demirtas said.
A 1999 withdrawal was abandoned after the Turkish military attacked rebels, killing some 500. During a 1999 withdrawal, the Turkish military attacked the rebels, killing some 500.
In January, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged the army would not attack any PKK fighters who laid down their arms and agreed to withdraw from Turkish soil. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly pledged the army will not attack any PKK fighters who withdrew.
"As you remember, there were some attempts [to withdraw] but [PKK militants] were shot down," he was quoted as saying by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet. On Tuesday, he said that "laying down weapons" should be the group's top priority in order for the peace process to succeed.
"But we can assure them that we will not permit similar incidents to occur. If they promise [to lay down arms] and leave our country, we acquiesce to them withdrawing from [Turkey] without any operations."