A Timeline of the PKK’s Four-Decade Insurgency with Turkey

The PKK, established by Abdullah Ocalan in 1974, has engaged in a protracted insurgency against Turkey. Captured in 1999, Ocalan called for peace, yet conflicts escalated. Key developments include military operations against the PKK, reforms for Kurdish rights, and attacks that reflect ongoing tensions, culminating in a recent assault in Ankara.

The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), founded by Abdullah Ocalan in 1974, began as a clandestine Marxist-Leninist organization advocating for an independent Kurdistan in Turkey. PKK’s first significant military actions commenced in August 1984, escalating clashes with Turkish forces. By 1998, Ocalan fled to Syria, and in early 1999, he was captured by Turkish forces in Kenya and sentenced to life imprisonment, sparking a ceasefire that later collapsed in 2004.

In 2003, amid EU accession talks, Turkey approved reforms enhancing Kurdish rights. Discussions between Turkish officials and PKK representatives began in Oslo in 2010 but fell through. Tensions escalated in 2015 due to the rise of ISIS, leading to violent clashes and civilian devastation in southeastern Turkey after the PKK rejected Ocalan’s call to disarm.

In June 2020, Turkey launched military operations against PKK bases in Iraq, citing security threats, which drew criticism from the Iraqi government. The failed military mission in February 2021 to rescue Turkish nationals captured by the PKK led to increased hostilities, with Turkey blaming the PKK for their deaths. In July 2024, Iraq recognized the PKK as a banned organization but did not classify it as a terrorist group.

The PKK’s activities culminated in an attack in October 2024, targeting a defense firm in Ankara, resulting in fatalities and injuries. This incident exemplified the ongoing conflict and regional ramifications surrounding the PKK’s insurgency against the Turkish state, which has persisted for four decades and remains a significant issue in Turkey’s national security policy.

The timeline of the PKK’s insurgency highlights the complex relationship between the group and Turkey, rooted in a historical struggle for Kurdish rights and autonomy. Significant events have included Ocalan’s capture, shifts in Turkish policy towards the Kurds, and ongoing military conflicts that underscore the volatility of the situation. The PKK’s designation and subsequent actions illustrate the multifaceted challenges facing Turkish security and regional stability.

Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com