The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), founded by Abdullah Ocalan in 1974, has engaged in a prolonged insurgency against Turkey. Despite Ocalan’s calls for peace and disarmament, including notable ceasefires, the conflict has persisted with significant bloodshed and complex geopolitical implications. Recent developments highlight ongoing military operations and the PKK’s criminalization in Iraq, illustrating the conflict’s evolving nature.
Abdullah Ocalan, the founder of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), made a significant appeal for disarmament as part of a potential peace agreement with Turkey. After being captured in 1999, he professed his love for his country, stating he would serve it if needed. Despite this, the PKK continues to be a critical national security concern for Turkey.
\n\n1974: The PKK was established as a clandestine Marxist-Leninist group by Kurdish students under Ocalan’s leadership. The organization aimed for an independent Kurdistan in north-eastern Turkey, marking its first congress in 1978 near Diyarbakir.
\n\n1982: The group set up its first training camp in Bekaa Valley, with assistance from the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
\n\nAugust 1984: The PKK initiated its assaults in south-east Turkey, resulting in the deaths of two soldiers. The conflict escalated, with the PKK utilizing bases in northern Iraq as safe havens.
\n\nSeptember 1998: Ocalan fled Syria following the Adana Agreement, which mandated Syria to cease support for the PKK. Subsequently, the group’s main headquarters transitioned to the Qandil mountains in northern Iraq.
\n\nFebruary 15, 1999: Turkish special forces captured Ocalan in Kenya, resulting in his binding and blindfolding during his transport to Turkey.
\n\nJune 1999: Ocalan was tried and sentenced to death, a punishment later commuted to life imprisonment upon Turkey’s abolition of the death penalty in 2002. After his capture, the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire, which lasted until 2004.
\n\n2003: Turkey undertook democratic reforms to enhance Kurdish rights as it pursued European Union membership, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan adopted a more liberal approach towards the Kurdish population.
\n\n2010: Secret negotiations occurred in Oslo between Turkish intelligence and PKK representatives, but those talks ultimately failed.
\n\nSummer 2012: Violence escalated, leading to mass arrests of Kurdish activists. Following an October hunger strike by imprisoned activists, Ocalan involved government representatives in negotiations.
\n\nMarch 21, 2013: Ocalan effectively called for a ceasefire, instructing his fighters to withdraw from Turkey.
\n\n2015: With the rise of ISIS, the YPG emerged as a critical force in the conflict, leading to Ankara’s designation of it as the PKK’s Syrian branch. Ocalan urged for disarmament, yet the PKK leadership did not heed his call. The ceasefire collapsed in July, plunging the conflict into its bloodiest phase.
\n\nJune 2020: Following alleged PKK attacks, Turkey launched military operations against the group in Iraq, drawing criticism from the Iraqi government for violating sovereignty.
\n\nFebruary 2021: An attempt by Turkey to rescue 13 nationals from the PKK resulted in tragedy, as all were later found dead, leading to a blame game between Ankara and the PKK.
\n\nJuly 2024: The Iraqi government banned the PKK and mandated that it be referred to as the “banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party” in official correspondence, marking a notable stance by Baghdad without classifying it as a terrorist organization.
\n\nOctober 2024: The PKK claimed responsibility for an attack on a defense company near Ankara, resulting in fatalities and numerous injuries.
The PKK’s four-decade-long insurgency has seen significant escalations and attempts at peace, primarily centered around its founding leader Abdullah Ocalan’s calls for disarmament. Despite various efforts for negotiation and reforms aimed at recognizing Kurdish rights, the conflict remains unresolved, with recent attacks and military operations underscoring the persistent tensions. The situation remains critical, requiring continued attention from both Turkey and the international community.
Original Source: www.thenationalnews.com
