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Encyclopedia > Kurdistan Workers Party
'Kurdistan Workers' Party'
Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan, (PKK)
The current PKK flag used since 1995
The current PKK flag used since 1995
Operational 1978-present
Led by The current leader is Murat Karayilan. Abdullah Öcalan (also known as "Apo") was one of the founders and former leaders.
Objectives The creation of an independent socialist state of Kurdistan in parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria
Active region(s) Turkey, Iraq, Iran and Syria
Ideology Kurdish nationalism
Major actions Assasination, Bombing Attacks, Chemical Warfare, Drug Trafficking, Extortion, Human Trafficking,Kidnapping, Sabotage, Suicide Bombing[1][2][3][4]
Notable attacks See Casualties of the Turkey-PKK conflict
Status Designated as Foreign Terrorist Organization by the US State Department[5][6]
Designated as Proscribed Group by the UK Home Office[citation needed]
Designated as terrorist group by EU Common Foreign and Security Policy.[citation needed]

The Kurdistan Workers' Party (Kurdish: Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan or PKK, also called KADEK, Kongra-Gel, and KGK[7]) is a militant Kurdish organization founded in the 1970s and led by Abdullah Öcalan until his capture in 1999. The PKK's ideology was founded on revolutionary Marxism-Leninism and Kurdish nationalism. The PKK's goal has been to create an independent, socialist Kurdish state in Kurdistan, an area that comprises parts of southeastern Turkey, northeastern Iraq, northeastern Syria and northwestern Iran; where the Kurdish population is claimed to be in the majority. These states oppose any such change.[citation needed] The PKK has been labelled[clarify], by Turkish sources, as an ethnic secessionist organization that uses terrorism and the threat of force against both civilian[8][9] and military targets for the purpose of achieving its political goal. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Abdullah Apo Öcalan (; born April 4, 1948), is the founding leader of the Kurdish militant group Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the USA, NATO and the EU.[1][2] More than 37,000 people have been killed... For other uses, see Kurdistan (disambiguation). ... The Kurdish people have been dubbed the largest people without a piece of land[1], reflecting the irredentist cause for an independent Kurdistan. ... AyÅŸe Konakçı Primary School in Tavas, Denizli: A notable form of remembrance for the memory of the teachers killed by the PKK has been to give the names of each to an educational establishment Kurds on March 30, 2006 carry the coffin one of the people who died during... The U.S. State Departments list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations is a list of non-US organizations that are designated as terrorist by the United States Secretary of State in accordance with section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). ... Department of State redirects here. ... The Terrorism Act 2000 is a current United Kingdom Act of Parliament - An Act to make provision about terrorism; and to make temporary provision for Northern Ireland about the prosecution and punishment of certain offences, the preservation of peace and the maintenance of order. ... The modern concept of Small Office and Home Office or SoHo , or Small or Home Office deals with the category of business which can be from 1 to 10 workers. ... The Common Foreign and Security Policy, or CFSP, was established as the second of the three pillars of the European Union in the Maastricht treaty of 1992, and further defined and broadened in the Amsterdam Treaty of 1999. ... The Kurdish language (Kurdish: Kurdî or کوردی) is a term used for a range of different dialects of a language spoken by Kurds. ... The word militant has come to refer to any individual or party engaged in aggressive physical or verbal combat, normally for a cause. ... Kurds are one of the Iranian peoples and speak Kurdish, a north-Western Iranian language related to Persian. ... Abdullah Apo Öcalan (; born April 4, 1948), is the founding leader of the Kurdish militant group Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the USA, NATO and the EU.[1][2] More than 37,000 people have been killed... Vladimir Lenin in 1920 Leninism is a political and economic theory which builds upon Marxism; it is a branch of Marxism (and it has been the dominant branch of Marxism in the world since the 1920s). ... The Kurdish people have been dubbed the largest people without a piece of land[1], reflecting the irredentist cause for an independent Kurdistan. ... Religious socialism Key Issues People and organizations Related subjects Socialism refers to a broad array of ideologies and political movements with the goal of a socio-economic system in which property and the distribution of wealth are subject to control by the community. ... For other uses, see Kurdistan (disambiguation). ... Ethnic nationalism is the form of nationalism in which the state derives political legitimacy from historical cultural or hereditary groupings (ethnicities); the underlying assumption is that ethnicities should be politically distinct. ... For other uses, see Secession (disambiguation). ...


The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the United States,[6][7] NATO and the European Union.[8] More than 37,000 people have been killed "since PKK launched its armed independence campaign in 1984".[10] Terrorist redirects here. ... This article is about the military alliance. ... Main article: Turkish-Kurdish conflict Ayşe Konakçı Primary School in Tavas, Denizli: A notable form of remembrance for the memory of the teachers killed by the PKK has been to give the names of each to an educational establishment Kurds on March 30, 2006 carry the coffin one of...

Contents

History

Former flag displaying the communist hammer and sickle
Former flag displaying the communist hammer and sickle
Main article: History of the Kurdistan Workers Party

The PKK's core was originally a group called the Ankara Democratic Patriotic Association of Higher Education or Apocular ("Apoists"), which was made up largely of students, led by Abdullah Öcalan (nicknamed "Apo"). Although originally from Ankara, the group soon moved its focus to south-east Turkey, and its large Kurdish population, where they began organising. With the official release of the "Proclamation of Independence of PKK" on 27 October 1978, the group became known as the Kurdistan Workers Party. With its largely communist ideology, the PKK soon found itself in conflict with right-wing entities. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... This article is about communism as a form of society and as a political movement. ... For other uses, see Hammer and sickle (disambiguation). ... The history of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) covers the life of the party, which extends more than three decades. ... Abdullah Apo Öcalan (; born April 4, 1948), is the founding leader of the Kurdish militant group Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the USA, NATO and the EU.[1][2] More than 37,000 people have been killed... Ankara is the capital of Turkey and the countrys second largest city after Ä°stanbul. ... is the 300th day of the year (301st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar). ... Turkey was affected by violent clashes during the 1970s between left-wing groups and neo-fascists organizations, which culminated in the 1980 military coup. ...


In 1979, Mehmet Celal Bucak was condemned for "exploiting the peasants," and "collaborating". The PKK attempted to assassinate him, but failed. This was the first violent high-profile public action undertaken by the PKK, and it marked a period of intense urban warfare between radical political elements in Turkey. From 1978 to 1982, the Turkish National Security Council recorded 43,000 incidents it described as terrorism. As part of the conflict, ex-prime minister Nihat Erim was assassinated in 1980 by Dev Sol. The military coup that same year largely ended the conflict, with members of the PKK being subject to capital punishment, going to prison, or fleeing to Syria. The history of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) covers the life of the party, which extends more than three decades. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... This is a chronological list of every government formed by the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Turkey. ... Nihat Erim (1912 - July 19, 1980) was a Turkish political figure and jurist. ... This article is in need of attention. ... The history of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) covers the life of the party, which extends more than three decades. ...


On November 10, 1980, the Turkish Consulate in Strasbourg, France was bombed, causing significant material damage but no injuries. The ASALA and the PKK claimed responsibility. In a telephone call to the Agence France-Presse office, a spokesman said the blast was a joint operation and marked the start of a "fruitful collaboration" between the two nationalist organizations.[11] is the 314th day of the year (315th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Strasburg. ... Asala may refer to: Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia a Marxist-Leninist guerilla organization. ...


Starting in 1984, the PKK transformed itself into a paramilitary organisation (largely based in and supported by Iran, Iraq and Syria)[citation needed], as it launched conventional attacks as well as bombings against Turkish governmental installations, military and civilian targets, many of whom were connected to the Southeastern Anatolia Project (GAP), a multi-sector integrated regional development project based on the concept of sustainable development for more than nine million people living in the southeastern Anatolia region. The PKK also moved to a less centralized format, taking up operations in a variety of European and Middle Eastern countries. This article is about explosive devices. ... Other Turkish Topics Culture - Education Geography - History - Politics Turkey Portal The Southeastern Anatolia Project (Turkish: Güneydoğu Anadolu Projesi, GAP) is a multi-sector integrated regional development project based on the concept of sustainable development for the 9 million people[1] living in a region. ... Southeastern Anatolia Region Southeastern Anatolia Region (Turkish: Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi) // Southeastern Anatolia Region Adıyaman Province Batman Province Diyarbakır Province Gaziantep Province Kilis Province Mardin Province Şanlıurfa Province Siirt Province Şırnak Province 85% of the population of the South-eastern Anatolia Region is Kurdish, a...


Following the collapse of the USSR, the PKK largely abandoned its communist roots, attempting to better accommodate nationalistic views and Islamic beliefs. In the mid 1990s, it also began to shift from conventional bombing to suicide bombing, launching 15 such attacks between 1995 and 1999. The majority (11 of 15) of the suicide bombers were women. A suicide bombing is an attack using a bomb in which the individual(s) carrying the explosive materials composing the bomb intend(s) and expect(s) to die upon detonation (see suicide). ...

PKK supporters demonstrating in London during the February 15, 2003 anti-war protest march [1].
PKK supporters demonstrating in London during the February 15, 2003 anti-war protest march [1].

In the late 1990s, the Turkish army began to gain the upper hand in its ground war with the PKK and post-Cold War shifts in international politics resulted in the group losing much of its support among other states. With downgraded security concerns, the Turkish parliament began a controlled process of dismantling the legal control, using the term "normalization" or "rapprochement" depending on the sides of the issue. A ban on publishing using Kurdish language (1983) was dropped in 1991, with more thorough reforms, such as the lifting of the ban on broadcasting in Kurdish, adopted in the 2000s with the decrease in PKK's activities.[12] Download high resolution version (1598x532, 263 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1598x532, 263 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... February 15, 2003 was a global day of protests against the imminent invasion of Iraq. ... For other uses, see Cold War (disambiguation). ...


In 1999, Turkish authorities captured Öcalan while he was being transferred by the Greek security system[13] from the Greek Embassy in Kenya to a local airport, in an operation conducted jointly by the CIA and Turkey's MIT. He was prosecuted in Turkey and sentenced to death. He took his case against Turkey to the European Court of Human Rights. The ECtHR held that there had been violation of Article 6 (right to fair trial), as there was a military judge in the Turkish court trying Abdullah Öcalan, there was no violation of Article 2 (right to life).[14] Last execution in Turkey took place in 1984.[15] The history of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) covers the life of the party, which extends more than three decades. ... A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one nation state present in another nation state to represent the sending state in the receiving State. ... The CIA Seal The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is an American intelligence agency, responsible for obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and individuals, and reporting such information to the various branches of the U.S. Government. ... MİT is the intelligence organization of Turkey. ... European Court of Human Rights building in Strasbourg The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR), often referred to informally as the Strasbourg Court, was created to systematise the hearing of human rights complaints against States Parties to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by...


Turkey abolished the death sentence on 3 August 2002 as part of a raft of reforms aimed at preparing the country for European Union membership, and the death sentence of Öcalan was commuted to life imprisonment. is the 215th day of the year (216th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ...


Following a call by the captured Öcalan for a peaceful solution, the PKK found itself blacklisted in many countries. Consequently, the PKK went through a series of changes and implemented a unilateral truce, which ended in 2004. On April 2 of that year, the Council of the European Union added the PKK to its list of terrorist organisations. Later in 2004, the US Treasury moved to freeze assets of branches of the PKK.
is the 92nd day of the year (93rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Established 1952 Presiding Country Portugal President Luís Amado President in Office José Sócrates Members 27 (at one time) Political parties 7, including: European Peoples Party Party of European Socialists Meeting place Justus Lipsius, Brussels, Belgium, European Union Web site http://www. ... The U.S. Treasury building today. ...


According to Turkish officials, Massoud Barzani, leader of the Kurdish region in northern Iraq, and US forces have not done enough to combat PKK guerrillas and secure the Iraqi-Turkish border, causing tensions between the Iraqi and Turkish governments. [16] [17] Massoud Barzani Massoud Barzani (born August 16, 1946) is the head of the Autonomous Kurdish Government in Iraq and leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. ...


Recent history

1999–2004

After his capture in 1999, the group's leader Abdullah Öcalan has urged the PKK to work peacefully to attain its objectives, and the PKK declared a ceasefire in that year. It changed its name to KADEK to reflect moves towards peaceful politics and co-operation with a wider range of ideologies, but it is claimed that this change was aimed to protect itself from the legal implications of being listed as a terrorist organization. A PKK/KADEK spokesman stated that its armed wing, The People’s Defense Force, would not disband or surrender its weapons, to maintain its capability of self-defense. PKK/KADEK avowing to not lay down its arms underscores that the organization maintains its capability to carry out terrorist operations.[18] Abdullah Öcalan, has declared his own militants as "No better than Murderers".[19]


2004–2006

This section does not cite any references or sources. (September 2007)
Please improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

The refusal of the Turkish government to issue a general amnesty to PKK operatives, the failure of the Kurdish nationalist Democratic People's Party to make an electoral breakthrough until 2007 and profound ideological disputes within the movement led to the ceasefire becoming ragged in 2003, before breaking down completely in 2004.[who?] Since the declaration of cease-fire on August 2000, aside from a few isolated incidents, the armed conflict had come to a complete halt. Since 2004, there has been an increase in PKK attacks on the Turkish military, police, and governmental targets near the Iraqi border in the last months. Ankara is increasing its pressure on the US to obtain the go-ahead for a military strike to the PKK installations in northern Iraq. PKK claims it is only acting in self-defense and for the protection of the Kurds. Image File history File links Question_book-3. ... Look up Amnesty in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Democratic Peoples Party (Demokratik Halk Partisi, DEHAP) was a left-wing, pro-Kurdish political party in Turkey. ...


During the 2003-2005 period, the total security personnel lost (soldier, police (21), village guard (22)) is 246. The total number of personnel wounded and disabled is 147. The total armed militants captured: 1325 (359 dead, 377 live, 589 amnesty) (116 among 377 through exchange of criminals with Iran, Iraq, Syria, Greece, Azerbaijan and Ukraine). The TBMM report also expects an increase in the number of militants captured through exchange of criminals in the coming years. These numbers are presented as part of the fight on terror activities. Report also mentions growing efforts in mobilizing the criminal intelligence exchange. Look up Amnesty in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Grand National Assembly (Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi in Turkish) is the unicameral parliament of Turkey which carries out legislative functions. ... Terrorist redirects here. ...


2006-2007

The PKK had declared ceasefire since September 28, 2006.[20][21] although Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Chief of Staff, General Yaşar Büyükanıt do not recognize such a motion. Erdoğan was quoted as saying; "A ceasefire is done between states. It is not something for a terrorist organization,"[22][23] The Turkish army is calling for action against PKK training camps in northern Iraq.[24] is the 271st day of the year (272nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... ErdoÄŸan redirects here. ... General YaÅŸar Büyükanıt Shoulder badge of rank Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Mehmet YaÅŸar Büyükanıt [1] is the 25th and current Chief of the Turkish General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, he has held this post since August 28...

A demonstration against the PKK in Kadıköy, Istanbul on October 22, 2007.
A demonstration against the PKK in Kadıköy, Istanbul on October 22, 2007.

On September 29, 2007 "PKK terrorists set up an ambush in the Beytüşşebap district of Şırnak on Saturday. The assault claimed the lives of seven village guards, five construction workers working on a dam project to bring water to their villages and one young child, while wounding two others". Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 370 pixelsFull resolution (1776 × 822 pixel, file size: 1. ... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 370 pixelsFull resolution (1776 × 822 pixel, file size: 1. ... The historic Haldun Taner Theatre on the harbour of Kadıköy Kadıköy Municipality on the harbour Nostalgic tram running between Kadıköys centrum and the neighbourhood of Moda, with the Catholic Eglise de LAssomption seen in the background Historic buildings in YeldeÄŸirmeni Historic... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... is the 295th day of the year (296th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... An ambush is a long established military tactic in which an ambushing force uses concealment to attack an enemy that passes its position. ... The Turkish province of Şırnak Şırnak is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. ...


Turkish newspaper Zaman reported: "Separatists and terrorists from the PKK used machine gun fire on a minibus carrying 13 people, killing 12 people including seven village guard militia," local governor Selahattin Aparı said on Sunday. The 13th body, belonging to a child, was located close to the scene of the attack a few hours after the governor's statement."[25] According to PatDollard.com, Bozan Tekin, a PKK militant, claimed that the attack was in fact carried out by the government forces against a Kurdish wedding party. [26] Zaman (literally time or era in Turkish) is a major Turkish daily newspaper. ...


In early October 2007, PKK fighters carried out another ambush, this time near the border with Iraq, killing 13 Turkish soldiers. The incident sparked renewed threats from the Turkish government to cross over into Iraq to pursue the fighters. [27]


On the 17th of October 2007, the Turkish parliament approved a military incursion into Iraq to pursue the PKK fighters. The vote for incursion won with an overwhelming 507 to 19.[28] Action was delayed on request by the US government on the condition that "swift steps" were taken to deal with the militants.


Just five days later on October 22nd, BBC reported another PKK ambush that left 12 more Turkish soldiers dead with an additional eight more missing.[29] According to The Independent, the October 22nd attack happened when PKK militants blew up a bridge located just three miles (5 km) from the border with Iraq, when a 12-vehicle Turkish military convoy was crossing it. The attack left 17 Turkish soldiers dead and some were taken prisoners. Turkey reported that 32 militants were also killed in the raid [30]. For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see The Independent (disambiguation). ...


On December 16th, 2007, Turkish Armed Forces started the biggest attack to Kurdish camps at Northern Iraq. Turkish Air Force F16s and F4s using night vision systems destroyed main camp at Kandil with Zap, Avaşin and Hakurk camps. Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) (Turkish: Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri (TSK)) consists of the Army, the Navy (including Naval Air and Naval Infantry), and the Air Force of the Republic of Turkey. ... The Turkish Air Force (Turkish: Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) is a branch of the Turkish Armed Forces. ... The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a modern multi-role jet fighter aircraft built in the United States and used by dozens of countries all over the world. ... F4 or F-4 can mean: F4, a popular boy band from Taiwan. ... Night-vision is seeing in the dark. ...


Death threats by PKK concerning the Turkish General election in 2007

Further information: Turkish general election, 2007

A death threat was mailed by PKK to CHP, MHP, DYP and AKP to withdraw their Van and Hakkari candidates allowing a DTP dominance.[31] A woman casting her vote Votes were cast in ballot boxes such as this one Votes are cast in schools such as this one Turkeys 16th general election was held on July 22, 2007,[1] and resulted in a resounding victory for the incumbent Justice and Development Party. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Map illustrating the partys performance at the 2007 general election by constituency. ... The True Path Party (Turkish: Dogru Yol Partisi or DYP) is a right-wing, secularist conservative Turkish political party, established by Suleyman Demirel in 1983. ... The Justice and Development Party (Turkish: or AK Parti, or AKP[1]) is a Turkish political party that describes itself as centre-right and Islamist. ... Van (Armenian ) is a city in eastern Turkey and the seat of Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. ... Hakkâri, formerly Çölemerik, is the capital city of the Hakkâri il, Turkey. ... Democratic Society Party (Turkish: - DTP) is a pro-Kurdish political party in Turkey, considered as the successor to the Democratic Peoples Party (DEHAP). ...

“ With the exception of DTP all candidates in Van and Hakkari from CHP, MHP, DYP and AKP must withdraw themselves and offer their support to Kurdish people. Our people must demonstrate their Kurdishness in the elections. If any different approach develops, our approach will also be different. [...] Whoever continues the activities we mentioned here will be punished. Who ever damages our movement or our party [DTP] will not be forgiven in any way. They should know that they are facing death.[31] ”

2008 to date

On 22 February 2008, the Turkish military carried out a major incursion into northern Iraq to attack PKK bases there. An estimated 10,000 Turkish troops were deployed for the incursion along with armoured vehicles and aircraft.[32] The incursion sparked calls from the Iraqi and US governments for the incursion to end. is the 53rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ...


On 29 February, the Turkish military announced that the incursion was finished and pulled out of northern Iraq, claiming that they had achieved their objectives. The military claimed 240 PKK rebels killed and for the loss of 27 Turkish soldiers.[33] February 29 is a day added into a leap year of the Gregorian calendar. ...


Allegations of international support to the PKK

According to The New Yorker magazine (Seymour Hersh), US government has been supporting PJAK, the Iranian branch of PKK.[34] The head of the PKK militant arm, Murat Karayilan, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph claimed that Iran attempted to recruit the PKK to attack coalition forces.[35] Karayilan said Kurdish guerrillas have launched a clandestine war in north-western Iran, ambushing Iranian troops. [36] For other uses, see New Yorker. ... Flag of PJAK PJAK, or Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê (meaning: Party of Free Life of Kurdistan) is an Iranian Kurdish nationalist militant organisation. ... This article deals with The Daily Telegraph in Britain, see The Daily Telegraph (Australia) for the Australian publication The Daily Telegraph is a British broadsheet newspaper founded in 1855. ...


General Yaşar Büyükanıt, who is the Chief of the Turkish General Staff, stated that even though the international struggle had been discussed on every platform and even though organizations such as the UN, NATO, EU make statements of serious commitment, to this day the necessary measures had not been taken.[37] Büyükanıt further continued as: "On the contrary, this conduct on one side has encouraged the terrorists, on the other side it assisted in widening their [the terrorists] activities. The most distressful part of it is that many of the European countries being a member of NATO, an organization that had announced that terrorism was the greatest threat to itself."[37] Dr. Sedat Laciner, director of the International Strategic Research Organization, said "The PKK is a terrorist organization. Americans and the EU say so. If the US ignores or supports the PKK in the region, the US’ fight against global terrorism will lose its base. Turkey’s support, as a moderate Muslim country, in fighting terrorism is crucial. However, if you support my terrorists, I can not help you in fighting against your terrorists." General YaÅŸar Büyükanıt Shoulder badge of rank Chief of the Turkish General Staff General Mehmet YaÅŸar Büyükanıt [1] is the 25th and current Chief of the Turkish General Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces, he has held this post since August 28... The Chief of the Turkish General Staff is a military person of rank general, who presides the general staff of the armed forces - army, navy, air force - of Turkey. ... UN redirects here. ... This article is about the military alliance. ... It has been suggested that ODAM be merged into this article or section. ...


A former militant, who recently had turned himself in to the Turkish Police, claimed that the weapons for PKK in the north of Iraq were provided by US armoured vehicles.[38][39]


Austria arranged a flight to Iraq for Ali Rıza Altun, a suspected key figure in PKK ranks with an Interpol arrest warrant in his name, after harboring him for some time. Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gül summoned the Austrian ambassador and condemned Austria's action.[40] This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Abdullah Gül (born October 29, 1950) is the 11th President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since 28 August 2007. ...


A document by the Turkish General Staff published in July 2007 documented the weapons and their origin captured from the PKK operatives. Same report also indicates that the PKK operatives delete some of the serial numbers from their weapons as they have done before making a serial number search. The weapons PKK uses and their origins are:[41] The armed forces of the Turkish Republic, having great geopolitical and geostrategic importance, comprise the Army, Navy and Air Force that are subordinate to the Turkish General Staff. ...

Avtomat Kalashnikova model 1947 g. ... State motto (Russian): Пролетарии всех стран, соединяйтесь! (Transliterated: Proletarii vsekh stran, soedinyaytes!) (Translated: Workers of the world, unite!) Capital Moscow Official language None; Russian (de facto) Government Federation of Soviet republics Area  - Total  - % water 1st before collapse 22,402,200 km² Approx. ... The Dragunov Sniper Rifle (Russian: , abbreviated SVD, GRAU index 6V1), is a semi-automatic rifle designed by Evgeniy Fedorovich Dragunov in the Soviet Union between 1958 and 1963. ... The G3 is a 7. ... M16 (more formally United States Rifle, Caliber 5. ... The PSG-1 (Präzisions-Scharfschützen-Gewehr, German for precision sharpshooter rifle) is a semi-automatic sniper rifle designed by the German company Heckler & Koch. ... Mauser is the common name of a German arms manufacturer, maker of a line of bolt-action rifles from the 1870s to present. ... Rocket launcher is a vague term which could mean various things: a mobile launch platform for an ICBM or cruise missile a launcher for multiple smaller missiles, such as Stalins Organ a shoulder-launched missile weapon This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists pages that might... A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... Grenade may refer to: The well-known hand grenade commonly used by soldiers. ... “Minefield” redirects here. ...

Resources

The organization's annual budget has been estimated at $86 million USD.[42] The United States dollar is the official currency of the United States. ...


The PKK receives a proportion of its funding in the form of private donations, from both organisations and individuals from around the world. Some of these supporters are Kurdish businessmen in south-eastern Turkey, sympathisers in Syria and Iran, and Europe. Parties and concerts are organized by branch groups.[43] Additionally, it is believed that the PKK earns money through the sale of various publications, as well as receiving revenues from legitimate businesses owned by the organization.[42] The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) also has been financing its separatist movement by "taxing" narcotic traffickers and engaging in the trade themselves. The PKK is heavily involved in the European drug trade, especially in Germany and France. French law enforcement estimates that the PKK smuggles 80% of the heroin in Paris. [44]


At the height of its campaign, the PKK received support from other countries, most notably Syria,[43] in forms of parliamentary support.[45] [46] Iran, [47] the Soviet Union[48] and according to the Turkish government, Denmark allows Kurdish satellite television stations (such as ROJ-TV), which Turkey claims has links with the PKK, to operate in Denmark and broadcast into Turkey. [49] MED TV broadcast for five years in UK, until its licence was revoked by the regulators Independent Television Commission (ITC) in 1999 due to a breach of ITC guidelines and perceived pro-PKK bias. When Med TV lost its licence in the UK, MEDYA TV started transmissions from studios in Belgium via a satellite uplink from France. MEDYA TV's licence was revoked by the French authorities. A few weeks later Roj TV began transmissions from Denmark. It has also been argued that the Netherlands and Belgium have supported the PKK by allowing its training camps to function in their respective territories. On November 22, 1998, Hanover's criminal police reported that three children had been trained by the PKK for guerrilla warfare in camps in the Netherlands and Belgium.[50] After the death of Theo van Gogh, with increasing attention on domestic security concerns, the Dutch police raided the 'PKK paramilitary camp' in the Dutch town of Liempde and arrested 29 people in November 2004. [51] Roj TV is an international Kurdish satellite television station broadcasting programmes in the Kurmanci, Sorani, and Hewremani dialects of the Kurdish language as well as Zazaki, Persian, Arabic, Syriac/Assyrian, Turkish and English. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Theo van Gogh (IPA: ) (July 23, 1957–November 2, 2004) was a Dutch film director, television producer, publicist and actor. ... Liempde is a little town in the Netherlands in the municipality Boxtel. ...


The PKK has developed links with paramilitary groups among other ethnic groups which has harboured historic grievances against Turkey such as the ethnic Armenian ASALA,[52] as well as groups which shared its left-wing nationalist ideology such as the Palestine Liberation Organisation, ETA, and to a lesser degree the Provisional Irish Republican Army.[52] Through the large Kurdish immigration in Germany, it has also formed close contacts with violent left-wing political groups in that country. From early 1979 to 1999 Syria had provided valuable safe havens to PKK in the region of Beqaa Valley. During the 1990s, Iran provided PKK with supplies in the form of weapons and funds. In addition, the retired Greek army general Dimitris Matafias has paid numerous visits and offered assistance.[citation needed] The Armenians are a nation and an ethnic group, originating in the Caucasus and eastern Asia Minor. ... Asala may refer to: Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia a Marxist-Leninist guerilla organization. ... In politics, left-wing, political left, leftism, or simply the left, are terms which refer (with no particular precision) to the segment of the political spectrum typically associated with any of several strains of socialism, social democracy, or liberalism (especially in the American sense of the word), or with opposition... Nationalism is an ideology that creates and sustains a nation as a concept of a common identity for groups of humans. ... The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) (Arabic Munazzamat al-Tahrir Filastiniyyah منظمة تحرير فلسطينية ) is a political and paramilitary organization of Palestinian Arabs dedicated to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state to consist of the area between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea, with an intent to destroy Israel. ... For other uses, see ETA (disambiguation). ... The Provisional Irish Republican Army (Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann) (IRA; also referred to as the PIRA, the Provos, or by some of its supporters as the Army or the RA.[2]) is an Irish Republican, left wing[3] paramilitary organisation that, until the Belfast Agreement, sought to end Northern... Syrian terrorism is used here to describe some Syrian military and covert operations, which sources such as United States President George W. Bush and the American public broadcaster PBS have called state terrorism. [1] // Facilitation and support Syria has been admonished for its ties to and support of terrorism and... Béqaa is a region in Lebanon with a population of 750,000 inhabitants. ...


The Republic of Cyprus was in suspicion of aiding Abdullah Öcalan, the founder of PKK, after he was caught with a Cypriot passport to the name of Mavros Lazaros, a nationalist reporter. The reporter in question has been on record as acting as his own volition. After the undeclared war between Turkey and Syria, Syria placed restrictions on PKK activity on its soil. Turkey is expecting positive developments in its cooperation with Syria in the long term, but even during the course of 2005, there were PKK operatives of Syrian nationality operating in Turkey. Iran listed PKK as a terrorist organization after Iran's supply of resources to the PKK began to be used on its own soil. Abdullah Apo Öcalan (; born April 4, 1948), is the founding leader of the Kurdish militant group Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization internationally by a number of states and organizations, including the USA, NATO and the EU.[1][2] More than 37,000 people have been killed... Download high resolution version (472x679, 73 KB)Image is a photo of a cyprus passport. ... The history of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) covers the life of the party, which extends more than three decades. ... Kurdistan Workers Party (aka PKK) is listed by the following states as a terrorist organization: United States Turkey European Union Iran Syria several other countries, Its actions has been criticised by human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. ...


On September 30, 1995, Damascus opened new contacts with high ranking German CDU MP Heinrich Lummer and German intelligence officials. The PKK has strong ties with influential persons around the world. Danielle Mitterrand, the wife of the former President of France has active connections with elements of the PKK's leadership.[53] is the 273rd day of the year (274th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... For other uses, see Damascus (disambiguation). ... The Christian Democratic Union (CDU - Christlich-Demokratische Union) is a political party in Germany. ... Danielle Mitterrand (born Danielle Emilienne Isabelle Gouze 29 October 1924 in Verdun) is the widow of François Mitterrand and president of the foundation France Libertés Fondation Danielle Mitterrand. ... The President of France, known officially as the President of the Republic (Président de la République in French), is Frances elected Head of State. ...


Activities

Activities of the Kurdistan Workers Party by Region[1][18]
Target Activity Category Turkey Northern
Iraq		 Western
Europe
Government Demonstrations/Protests[1] Yes Yes Yes
Riots[1] Yes Yes
Kidnapping[1] Yes Yes
Assassination[1] Yes Yes
Sabotage[1] Yes
Chemical warfare[54] Yes
Bombing
Attacks[1]		 Post/Train/Power Yes
Police Yes
Outposts Yes
Armed
Attacks[1]		 Military Yes Yes
Police Yes
Village Guards Yes
Civilian Kidnapping[1] Yes
Assassination[1] Yes Yes
Bombing
Attacks		 Villages Yes Yes
Touristic Facilities[1] Yes
Commercial Units[1] Yes
Organized Crime Extortion[2] Yes Yes
Drug Trafficking[3] Transit Transit Destination
Human Trafficking[3] Origin Origin

The PKK operates in Turkey, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.[18] One pattern is apparent after 1984, PKK began to use Maoist theory of people's war.[55][56] There are three phases in this theory. The militant base during the initial years was coming from different sources, so the first two phases were diffused to each other. Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Teamsters, armed with pipes, riot in a clash with riot police in the Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Assassin and Assassins redirect here. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... For other uses, see Sabotage (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Chemical warfare is warfare (and associated military operations) using the toxic properties of chemical substances to kill, injure or incapacitate an enemy. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... For other uses, see Bomb (disambiguation). ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Organized crime or criminal organizations are groups or operations run by criminals, most commonly for the purpose of generating a monetary profit. ... Extortion is a criminal offense, which occurs when a person either obtains money, property or services from another through coercion or intimidation or threatens one with physical harm unless they are paid money or property. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Image File history File links Yes_check. ... Panamanian motor vessel Gatun during the largest cocaine bust in United States Coast Guard history (20 tons), off the coast of Panama. ... For other uses, see Human trafficking (disambiguation). ... This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...


In the first phase (1978-1984), the PKK tried to gain the support of the population. It attacked the machinery of government and distributed propaganda in the region. PKK tactics were based on ambush, sabotage, riots, protests, and demonstrations against the Turkish government. PKK has also been accused of violent attacks on individual civilians or residential areas (Kurds and non-Kurds alike), who refused to co-operate with the PKK or were suspected of collaborating with the Turkish authorities. During these years, the PKK fought a turf war against other predominantly Kurdish organisations in Turkey. The PKK effectively used the prison force to gain appeal among the population.[57] In the whole Turkey, this period was characterized by violent clashes which culminated in the 1980 military coup. An ambush is a long established military tactic in which an ambushing force uses concealment to attack an enemy that passes its position. ... For other uses, see Sabotage (disambiguation). ... Teamsters, armed with pipes, riot in a clash with riot police in the Minneapolis Teamsters Strike of 1934. ... A man holds up a street puppet designed to resemble George W. Bush at a demonstration against the World Bank and International Monetary Fund on April 16, 2005 in Washington, D.C.. American Civil Rights March on Washington, leaders marching from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial, August 28... Turkey was affected by violent clashes during the 1970s between left-wing groups and neo-fascists organizations, which culminated in the 1980 military coup. ... The Military coup in Turkey, 1980 was a coup detat made on September 12, 1980 by General Kenan Evren, head of the general staff and also chief of Counter-Guerrilla[], the Turkish branch of Gladio[]. Kenan Evren became the leader of the new junta, named National Security Council, and...


In the second phase (1984-1999), which followed the return of civilian rule in 1983, escalating attacks were made on the government's military and vital institutions all over the country. The objective was to destabilise Turkish authority through a long, low-intensity confrontation. In addition to skirmishing with Turkish military and police forces and local village guards, the PKK has conducted suicide bombing on government and police installations, as well as at local tourist sites. Kidnapping and assassination against government officials and Kurdish tribal leaders who were named as puppets of the state were performed as well. Widespread sabotages were continued from the first stage. PKK performed kidnapping western tourists, primarily in Istanbul but also at different resorts. PKK has also attacked Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities across Western Europe. Village guards (Turkish: Koruculuk) are paramilitaries. ... A suicide bombing is an attack using a bomb in which the individual(s) carrying the explosive materials composing the bomb intend(s) and expect(s) to die upon detonation (see suicide). ... Assassin and Assassins redirect here. ... For other uses, see Sabotage (disambiguation). ... A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Tourism can be defined as the act of travel for the purpose of recreation, and the provision of services for this act. ... Istanbul (Turkish: , Greek: , historically Byzantium and later Constantinople; see other names) is Turkeys most populous city, and its cultural and financial center. ... A current understanding of Western Europe. ...


In the third phase, or "guerrilla stage", conventional fighting was used to seize cities, overthrow the government and take control of the country. PKK seized cities during the highest activity period, and it also had consequences on the functioning of the Turkish parliament through Turkey's own election system, but there was no case during an active conflict that PKK manage to sustain its flag in a region within the borders of Turkey.[citation needed] Conventional warfare is a form of warfare conducted by using conventional military weapons and battlefield tactics between two or more states in open confrontation. ...


Militant activities

Since its creation in the 1970s, amid violent clashes in the whole of Turkey which culminated in the 1980 military coup, the PKK has developed into a paramilitary organization. The conflict between PKK and the Turkish state rendered much of southeastern Turkey a war zone in the late 1980s and 1990s. Its actions have taken place mainly in Turkey and against Turkish targets in other countries, although it has on occasions co-operated with other Kurdish nationalist paramilitary groups in neighboring states, such as Iraq and Iran.[58] The PKK argued that its violent actions were justified by the need to defend Kurds in the context of what it considered as the massive cultural suppression of Kurdish identity (including the 1983 Turkish Language Act Ban) and cultural rights carried out by the governments of the region. In its campaign, the PKK has been accused of carrying out atrocities against both Turkish and Kurdish civilians and its actions have been criticised by human rights groups such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch. Actions of the Turkish state in the past have also been criticised by these same groups. In effect, the Turkish state has led a series of counter-insurgency operations against the PKK, accompanied by political measures, starting with an explicit denunciation of separatism in the 1982 Constitution, and including proclamation of the state of emergency in various PKK-controlled territories starting in 1983 (when the military relinquished political control to the civilians). This series of administrative reforms against terrorism included in 1985 the creation of village guard system by the then prime minister Turgut Özal who is of partial Kurdish descent. All in a