Government keeps an eye on PKK retreat, Turkey's deputy PM says

The Turkish authorities are paying special attention to the retreat of the militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) from Turkey into neighboring Iraq, which officially started on May 8 as part of the ongoing peace process, Hürriyet Daily News reports.

At the same time, pro-Kurdish lawmakers in eastern and southeastern provinces of Turkey expressed concern over potential sabotages against the moves, which could eventually be a significant step to ending the three-decade long conflict that has claimed the lives of tens of thousands of people, the news agency informs.

“It is hard to say with precision what is happening and at what time. On this issue, Kandil may have its own calendar and dates set,” Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç is quoted as saying.

Kandil is the PKK headquarters based in the Kandil Mountains of northern Iraq.