ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani discussed bilateral relations and a historical disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), in a phone call on Saturday night

Prime Minister Sudani congratulated Erdogan "on the peace agreement" between the Turkish government and the PKK, stressing that the agreement will have a positive impact on the region, including "promoting stability.”

In a historical move, 30 PKK fighters, including four commanders, destroyed and burned their weapons near Jasana Cave in Sulaimani province’s Dukan district on Friday, nearly five months after the group’s jailed leader Abdullah Ocalan called for the faction to disarm and dissolve. 

Erdogan described Saturday as “a new day” in Turkey’s history when addressing members of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ankara.

In his speech, Erdogan thanked the Iraqi government and authorities in Erbil for their role and for contributing to the success of the peace process between Ankara and the PKK. 

“All 86 million of us are one, united, and brothers for eternity,” the Turkish president said on Saturday morning. “Today marks the dawn of a great and powerful Turkey."

In the phone call, Sudani and Erdogan also shed light on Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, despite repeated efforts for a ceasefire.

The two premiers stressed “the need to deliver urgent aid to civilians” in war-ravaged Gaza.