The symbolic ceremony marks a turning point in the PKK's transformation process – from armed struggle to political struggle. It takes place two months after the guerrilla movement announced that it would end its decades-long and bloody struggle against the Turkish state.
In total, 30 PKK fighters, four of whom were commanders, burned their weapons during Friday's brief ceremony near Sulaymaniyya, according to the AFP news agency's correspondent on the spot.
"Historic measure"
In a statement read out in a cave, the movement states that it is a "historic, democratic measure".
Most of the PKK's fighters have spent the last decade in the mountains of northern Iraq, where Turkey has carried out repeated operations against the movement.
The Kurdish minority in Turkey hopes that the PKK's decision will pave the way for a political settlement with Ankara that means a new openness towards the Kurds, who make up around 20 percent of Turkey's population.
Demand: Release Öcalan
A prerequisite for the peace process to succeed is that PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan is released, according to one of the PKK's commanders.
Ensuring "Apo's" physical freedom in a legal manner, through legal guarantees, is crucial. This is our most important condition and main demand. Without this development, it is highly unlikely that the process will continue successfully, said Bese Hozat at the ceremony.
Hozat used Öcalan's nickname "Apo", which means "uncle" in Turkish.
The PKK also demands that former fighters be allowed to return to Turkey and work politically, without being imprisoned or killed. For this, security arrangements are required, says Hozat.
The disarmament of the PKK is scheduled to be completed in September, according to the Iraqi news agency INA.
Praised by Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan praises the event as "an important step towards a terrorist-free Turkey".
– May God give us success in our goals for the security of our country... and the establishment of lasting peace in our region, says Erdogan according to the Anadolu news agency.
The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was founded in 1978 as a Marxist party by Abdullah Öcalan, who has now been imprisoned in Turkey for over 25 years. The movement took up arms against the Turkish state in 1984, with the aim of achieving independence for the Kurds.
The conflict has claimed over 40,000 lives.
Facts: PKK
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The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) was founded in 1978 as a Marxist party.
The movement's goal was a Kurdish state in southeastern Turkey and adjacent parts of neighboring countries. The Kurds account for around 20 percent of Turkey's 85 million inhabitants.
In 1984, the PKK took up arms against the Turkish state in the struggle for independence.
The PKK is labeled as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, and the USA.
Turkey has, among other things, pushed for tougher measures against the PKK in Sweden in order for them to approve Sweden's NATO membership.
