Proceedings of the 22nd International Academic Conference, Lisbon

THE ULTIMATE ENEMY FOR TURKEY: PKK

OZHAN HANCILAR

Abstract:

This paper will take a brief look at an illegal armed group in Turkey, the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which is classified as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union. In addition to academic works, the paper will be based on sources from the media. The group has been waging a violent separatist campaign against Turkey since 1984. The PKK suffered a severe setback when its leader, Abdullah Ocalan, was captured by Turkey in 1999. The organization gave up its demands for independence, demanding instead more autonomy and rights for the Kurds in Turkey. A two-year-long ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK collapsed in July 2015. Violence has returned to the Eastern Turkey as the fragile peace process fails.

Keywords: PKK, Turkey, Kurds, Conflict

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2016.022.022

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