ANKARA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- The outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has announced its decision to disband and end its armed insurgency, the state-run TRT broadcaster reported Monday.

"The PKK's decision to dissolve itself and lay down arms is an important step towards the goal of a 'terror-free Türkiye'," Omer Celik, spokesperson for Türkiye's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on social media X.

"Complete realization of the decision to 'dissolve' and 'surrender arms' in a way to close all branches, extensions and illegal structures of the PKK will be a turning point," he added.

The PKK declared its dissolution on Monday, following a congress held from May 5 to 7, during which it decided to disband its organizational structure and cease armed activities, the local daily Hurriyet reported.

The decision followed a call made in February by the group's jailed leader, Abdullah Ocalan, urging the PKK to disband.

On Feb. 27, Ocalan, who has been imprisoned since 1999, urged the PKK and its affiliated groups to disband and lay down their arms, which followed the group's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union, has rebelled against the Turkish government for more than three decades.

Türkiye regularly conducts military operations in northern Iraq, where the group has its headquarters and hideouts. ■