In a message released on Tuesday, Ocalan conveyed his respect and approval of the congress, held from Nov. 5 to 7, and paid tribute to senior PKK figures Ali Haydar Kaytan and Riza Altun, whose deaths were announced recently.

The Kurdish militia group, the PKK, had decided to disband and lay down its arms, after decades of launching attacks against Turkey and bombing civilian areas. The move came after the PKK’s

A top official says Turkey is closely monitoring any attempts to undermine its peace initiative with the PKK following the militant Kurdish group’s announcement that it is ending its decades-long armed conflict with the Turkish state.

To fully disarm, we must also trust the state," said Murat Karayılan, a senior member of the militant group that declared its disbanding.

Decision concluded at PKK's 12th congress under call of imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan, as reported by Firat News