Kurdish rebels to begin withdrawal from Turkey on May 5

Thursday, 25 April, 2013 , 13:16

ANKARA, April 25, 2013 (AFP) — Kurdish rebels announced on Thursday they would on May 5 begin withdrawing from Turkey into their safe haven in northern Iraq amid a peace drive between Ankara and the rebel movement.

"As part of ongoing preparations, the withdrawal will begin on May 5, 2013," Murat Karayilan, the leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), was quoted as saying by the pro-Kurdish Firat news agency. "The withdrawal is planned in phases ... and is aimed to be finalised as soon as possible."