Kurdish PKK burns guns in cauldron in big step towards ending Turkey conflict1 day ago Share Save Ayse Sayin BBC Turkish, Ankara Paul Kirby Europe digital editor Share SaveKurdish PKK burns guns in symbolic step towards ending Turkey conflictAfter four decades of conflict with the Turkish state, the outlawed Kurdish PKK has held a ceremony to mark a symbolic first act in laying down its arms. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the ceremony marked an "important step towards our goal of a terror-free Turkey". Some 40,000 people have been killed since the conflict began, and the PKK is listed as a terror group in Turkey, the US, EU and UK. The PKK fighters, including four high-ranking officials, lined up to put their weapons in the cauldron, where they were set alight. ANF Ocalan, in the centre at the front, released a video on Wednesday ahead of Friday's ceremonyAs founder of the PKK, Ocalan continues to be reviled by many Turks, even after 26 years in solitary confinement.