Turkey–Kurdistan Workers Party conflict

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Turkey-PKK conflict


caption=A Turkish Cobra attack helicopter on an attack mission during the December 2007 bombing of northern Iraq.
partof=
place=Turkey, North of Iraq
date=1970s – present
result=Ongoing
combatant1=
combatant2=
commander1=Yasar Buyukanit
İlker Başbuğ
commander2=Abdullah Öcalan
strength1=N/A
strength2=4,000-5,000 (3,000-3,500) in northern Iraq.
casualties1=32,000
casualties2=6,482
casualties3=5,560
notes= The Turkey–Kurdistan Workers Party conflict is between Republic of Turkey and the ethnic secessionist Kurdish guerrilla group which uses threat of force against both civilian and military targets for the purpose of achieving its political goal. [cite news|title=Turkish Kurds: some back the state|work=Christian Science Monitor|date=2007-07-06|url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0706/p06s02-wosc.html] [cite news|title=PKK baskınına uğrayan Kürt köyleri ABD gazetesine haber oldu|language=Turkish|work=Milliyet|date=2007-07-07|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2007/07/07/son/sondun06.asp] The conflict is located in the East and Southeast Anatolia and Northen Iraq. The campaign of armed violence began in 1978, the rural-based insurgency began in 1984 with the urban terrorism through out this period.

The conflict, according to official figures released by the Turkish military for the 1984-2008 period, resulted with 32,000 PKK members, 6,482 soldiers, and 5,560 civilians have been killed and 14,000 PKK members being captured alive.cite news|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/9914612.asp?gid=0&srid=0&oid=0&l=1 |accessdate=2008-09-17 |title=Bir dönemin acı bilançosu |work=Hürriyet |date=2008-09-16 |language=Turkish] The current membership of the PKK is approximately 4,000 to 5,000 militants of whom 3,000 to 3,500 are located in northern Iraq.cite web |url=http://fas.org/irp/world/para/pkk.htm |title=Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) |work=Federation of American Scientists |accessdate=2008-07-23 |date=2004-05-21 |first=John |last=Pike ]

Background

The history of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) began in 1974 as a Marxist-Leninist organization under the leadership of Abdullah Öcalan."Kurdistan Workers' Party". F.A.S. 2004.] In 1978 the organization adapted the name "Kurdistan Workers Party" and waged Urban War between 1978-1980. The organization restructured itself and moved the organization structure to Syria between 1980-1984 just after the 1980 Turkish coup d'état. The campaign of armed violence began in 1984. The rural-based insurgency lasted between 1984-1992. The PKK shifted it's activities to include urban terrorism between 1993-1995 and later 1996–1999. The leader of the party captured in Kenya in the early 1999. After a "self declared peace initiative of 1999," returned to active stage in February 2004. Since 1974, it had been able to evolve, adapt, gone through a metamorphosis Joost Jongerden, PKK, CEU Political Science Journal. Vol. 3, No. 1 page 127-132] , which became the main factor in its survival. It had gradually grown from a handful of political students to a radical organization became part of targets of War on Terrorism.

With the aftermath of the failed 1991 uprisings in Iraq against Saddam Hussein the UN established no fly zones in Kurdish areas of Iraq giving those areas de facto independence. [ [http://www.fas.org/news/un/iraq/sres/sres0688.htm UN Resolution 688] ] The PKK soon found a safe haven from which they could launch attacks against Turkey and Turkey responded with operations -- the 1995 "Operation Steel" and the 1997 "Operation Hammer" -- in an attempt to crush the PKK. [ [http://www.asylumlaw.org/docs/turkey/mar99_turkey_kurds.pdf Jonathan Fox / Kathie Young - Kurds in Turkey] ]

In 1992, the commander of the Special Warfare Department (Turkish Gladio), General Kemal Yilmaz declared that the special department was still active in the conflict against the PKK Lucy Komisar, [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1295/is_n4_v61/ai_19254727 Turkey's terrorists: a CIA legacy lives on] , "The Progressive", April 1997 en icon] . In its 1995 report on Human rights in Turkey, the United States State Department stated that:cquote|Human rights groups reported the widespread and credible belief that a counterguerrilla group associated with the security forces had carried out at least some "mystery killings." [ US Department of State, February 1995 [http://www.hri.org/docs/USSD-Rights/94/Turkey94.html TURKEY HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES, 1994] en icon]

Öcalan was captured by Turkish agents in Kenya on February 15, 1999. After trial he was sentenced to death, but this sentence was commuted to life-long aggravated imprisonment when the death penalty was abolished in Turkey in August 2002.

With the invasion of Iraq in 2003 much of the arms of the former Iraqi army fell into the hands of the Kurdish Peshmerga militia. [ [http://etd.lib.fsu.edu/theses/available/etd-11142005-144616/unrestricted/003Manuscript.pdf Thesis of Michael Garrett Lortz - Willing to face Death: A History of Kurdish Military Forces - the Peshmerga - from the Ottoman Empire to Present-Day Iraq] ] The Peshmerga became the de facto army of northern Iraq and many of its weapons found their way into the hands of other Kurdish groups such as the PKK and the PJAK (a PKK offshoot which operated in Iran). With the influx of weapons the PKK attacks have increased in both strength and frequency. [ [http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=73860 Turkish Daily News - We need a much tougher stance against the PKK and the Iraqi Kurdish leadership. May 23, 2007] ] On May 22, 2007 there was yet another suicide bombing in Ankara which killed 8 and wounded over 100. This attack was attributed to the PKK and the Turkish army decided to launch a military action against them. [ [http://english.people.com.cn/200706/07/eng20070607_381956.html People's Daily Online - Death toll in Ankara suicide bombing rises to eight. June 07, 2007] ] As of June 2007, over 15,000 PKK fighters are believed to be in Iraqi Kurdistan. [ [http://www.debka.com/headline.php?hid=4284 DEBKAfile - NATO Sec-Gen arrives in Ankara to urge restraint against Iraq-based PKK rebels. June 15, 2007] ]

As of 2000, the conflict had claimed lives of at least 157 Turkish teachers. [tr icon [http://www.meb.gov.tr/Stats/ist2000/b4.htm 2000 yilinda milli eğitim] ]

Major events, 1984-present

May 22, 2007: A suicide bombing hits Ankara, killing eight and wounding over 100. Turkey blames the PKK.

May 27, 2007: The US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Turkish foreign minister Abdullah Gül discussed the possible outbreak of Turkish-Kurdish hostilities. Immediately after American troops and civilians begin evacuating from northern Iraq.Fact|date=September 2008

May 30, 2007: American and Kurdish forces sign an agreement transferring the security of Iraqi Kurdistan to the Peshmerga. American forces are evacuated from all Kurdish areas except Kirkuk.Fact|date=October 2007

May 31, 2007: The Turkish military announced they were prepared to launch and incursion into Iraq. Leader of Iraqi Kurdistan Massoud Barzani announced that the Peshmerga will defend itself in case of a Turkish incursion.Fact|date=October 2007

June 2, 2007: American troops and civilians have withdrawn from all of Iraqi Kurdistan. Massoud Barzani again warns the Turkish military that any incursion will be fought against by the Peshmerga. An estimated 100,000 Turkish troops are mobilized on the border between Turkey and Iraq.Fact|date=October 2007

June 4, 2007: A PKK suicide bomber kills seven soldiers and wounds six at an army base in Tunceli. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6718965.stm]

June 5, 2007: There are reports of limited shelling and air strikes by the Turkish army attacking PKK bases in Iraqi Kurdistan. Fact|date=October 2007

June 7, 2007: Several hundred Turkish troops cross into Iraq on a "hot pursuit" raid against Turkish rebels. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4176/is_/ai_n19295261] Turkey declares a three month martial law in Kurdish areas near the Iraq border and bans civilian flights to the area. It has been confirmed that 3 Turkish soldiers have been killed by a PKK landmine.Fact|date=October 2007

October 7, 2007: Yüksekova incident

Oct 17, 2007: Turkish Grand National Assembly approves a government request for their troops to cross the Iraqi border to attack Kurdish rebels. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7049348.stm Turkish MPs back attacks in Iraq] ]

Oct 21, 2007: 12 Turkish troops killed in PKK ambush on their army post, less than three miles from the Iraq border.

October 24, 2007: Turkish fighter jets bombed several PKK targets on the Iraqi side of the border. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7059721.stm "Turkish raids along Iraqi border"] , "BBC News", 24 October 2007]

February 21, 2008: Turkey launches a ground incursion into northern Iraq, sending 10,000 troops across the border supported by air assets.http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=89347]

July 27, 2008: Turkey blames the PKK for two bombings in Istanbul which kill 17 and injure 154.

October 1, 2008: One Turkish security force soldier was killed, with another one wounded, in an attack staged by PKK militants in southeastern Turkey.http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/01/content_10138798.htm]

October 4, 2008: Fifteen Turkish soldiers were killed, with another 20 also wounded, after a PKK attack from northern Iraq with the firing of heavy weapons at a military outpost in the Semdinli region bordering Iraq and Iran. At least 23 members of the PKK were also killed.http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/news/international/Fifteen_Turkish_soldiers_killed_in_clashes_with_PKK.html?siteSect=143&sid=9806118&cKey=1223147254000&ty=ti] ;Reaction:
*A statement issued after an emergency meeting of the Counter Terrorism Higher Board, chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: "Our struggle against terrorism will be pursued under all conditions and above all other concerns through effective cooperation between state bodies and every measure will be implemented with determination."http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-10/05/content_10149376.htm]
*The uk foreign office said: "The United Kingdom utterly condemns Friday's terrorist attack in Hakari, Turkey. There can be no excuse for the use of violence to achieve one's aims. The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkey in its fight against terrorism and strongly supports ongoing efforts between the Turkish and Iraqi authorities to prevent the PKK from using northern Iraq as a base from which to mount attacks against Turkey."http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5ipEW55TUMPEFIhzE5GRze-Z99Ktg]
*The European Union also condemned the on the gendarmerie station in a statement released by the Union’s French presidency, saying: "Europe expresses its complete solidarity with the Turkish authorities and offers its condolences to the families and friends of the victims."http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/home/10040135.asp?gid=244&sz=62556]

Human rights abuses

Eric Rouleau in the November/December 2000 edition of 'Foreign Affairs' states:

:According to the Turkish Ministry of Justice, in addition to the 30,000 people killed in military campaigns, 22,500 Turkish Militants and Politicians were assassinated between 1984, when the conflict began, and 1998. An additional 1,000 people were reportedly assassinated in the first nine months of 1999.cite journal |last=Rouleau |first=Eric |year=2000 |month=November/December |title=Turkey's Dream of Democracy |journal=Foreign Affairs |volume=79 |issue=6 |url= http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20001101faessay939/eric-rouleau/turkey-s-dream-of-democracy.html] cite web|url=http://wwwc.house.gov/international_relations/107/73068.pdf |title=U.S. Policy In The Mediterranean: Managing The Greece, Turkey, Cyprus Triangle |publisher=The House of Representatives |lastaccessmonthday=September 1 |lastaccessyear=2006]

Human Rights Watch has stated that:

* Consequently, all economic, political, military, social and cultural organizations, institutions, formations -- and those who serve in them -- have become targets. The entire country has become a battlefield.
* The PKK also promised to "liquidate" or "eliminate" political parties, "imperialist" cultural and educational institutions, legislative and representative bodies, and "all local collaborators and agents working for the Republic of Turkey in Kurdistan." [http://www.hrw.org/press98/nov/italy-ltr.htm Human Rights Watch:Letter to Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema] ]

It also notes that:

* As Human Rights Watch has often reported and condemned, Turkish government forces have, in the course of the conflict with the PKK, also committed serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and indiscriminate fire. We continue to demand that the Turkish government investigate and hold accountable those members of its security forces responsible for these violations. Nonetheless, under international law, the government abuses cannot under any circumstances be seen to justify or excuse those committed by Ocalan's PKK.
* Many who died were unarmed civilians, caught in the middle between the PKK and security forces, targeted for attacks by inevitably, PKK suicide bombers . [http://www.hrw.org/reports/1993/WR93/Hsw-08.htm Human Rights Watch - Turkey: Human Rights Developments] ]

According to Amnesty International, the PKK killed and tortured Kurdish peasants and its own members in the 1980s. A number of Kurds have been abducted and killed because they were suspected of being "collaborators" or "informers" and it was a common practice for the PKK to kill their whole families. [http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/turkey/turk3.htm Amnesty International: Turkey campaign (1997)(Chapter 3)] ]

According to an article printed in the November 2002 issue of the International Socialist, monthly paper of the International Socialists, during the conflict (and still [as of 2002] ), the Turkish army killed and “disappeared” members of the PKK. [ [http://www.socialistworld.net/eng/2002/11/17kurdistan.html Article on socialistworld.net, website of the Committee for a worker’s international] ] In 1997, Amnesty International (AI) reported that, "'Disappearances' and extrajudicial executions have emerged as new and disturbing patterns of human rights violations ..." by the Turkish state. [http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/turkey/turk2.htm Amnesty International: Turkey campaign (1997)(Chapter 2)] ] According to an earlier (1996) report of AI, "in January 1996 the [Turkish] government announced that the PKK had massacred 11 men near the remote village of Güçlükonak. Seven of the victims were members of the local village guard force. [http://www.amnesty.org/ailib/intcam/turkey/ Amnesty International: Turkey campaign (1996)] ]

See also

* List of terrorist incidents, 2008
* History of the Kurdistan Workers Party
* Effects of the Kurdistan Workers Party
* Iran–Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan conflict

References

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/5292122.stm Timeline: Bomb blasts in Turkey]
* [http://pkk.ataturk.org Victims of the conflict]
* [http://www.fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/studies4.htm Federation of American Scientists (FAS) - PKK - Targets and activities]
* [http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1996_hrp_report/turkey.html Turkey Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 1996,U.S. Department of State, Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor,January 30, 1997]