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The '''Kurdistan Workers Party''' (]: '''''Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan''''' or '''PKK'''), is one of several organisations striving for the rights of the kurdish people in Turkey. Its main objective is the creation of an independent Kurdish state in ], a territory that is currently southeastern ], northeastern ], northeastern ] and northwestern ]. It arose from a radical youth movement in Turkey and was founded in ] by ]. Operated informally until ] when it proclaimed itself a revolutionary ] movement following a ] ], though since then it has abandoned much of its leftist doctrine. In 2002, the party renamed itself to ''KADEK'', and then in 2004 to ''Kongra-Gel''. Finally in 2005 the party reverted back to its original name, ''PKK''. The '''Kurdistan Workers Party''' (]: '''''Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan''''' or '''PKK'''), is one of several organisations striving for the rights of the kurdish people in Turkey. Its main objective is the creation of an independent Kurdish state in ], a territory that is currently southeastern ], northeastern ], northeastern ] and northwestern ]. It arose from a radical youth movement in Turkey and was founded in ] by ]. Operated informally until ] when it proclaimed itself a revolutionary ] movement following a ] ], though since then it has abandoned much of its leftist doctrine. In 2002, the party renamed itself to ''KADEK'', and then in 2004 to ''Kongra-Gel''. Finally in 2005 the party reverted back to its original name, ''PKK''.

In its campaign for Kurdish independence, the organisation has been accused of atrocities against both Turkish and Kurdish civilians. However, the Turkish Government has also been accused of widespread atrocities in its campaign to suppress the organisation, and has continued to repress efforts by the Kurdish people in Turkey to secure regional ] or ]. In its campaign for Kurdish independence, the organisation has been accused of atrocities against both Turkish and Kurdish civilians. However, the Turkish Government has also been accused of widespread atrocities in its campaign to suppress the organisation, and has continued to repress efforts by the Kurdish people in Turkey to secure regional ] or ].


==Activities== ==Activities==
PKK's targets consist of...

* Turkish military and police forces
PKK's targets consist of:
* Turkish military and police forces. * Turkish sites at home and abroad
* * Kurdish civilians who would not cooperate with the group or were alleged of collaborating with the Turkish military
* Turkish sites at home and abroad.
* non-Kurdish civilians
* Kurdish civilians who would not cooperate with the group or were alleged of collaborating with the Turkish military.
* Suicide bombs targeting local governors and police installations, and raiding villages and small towns are also among the activities.
* non-Kurdish civilians.
* ].

Their activities include:
* Suicide bombs targeting local governors and police installations, and raiding villages and small towns.
* Bombing tourist sites as well as kidnapping Western tourists, who were subsequently released, primarily in ] and at Turkish seaside resorts in an effort to gain publicity and hamper the Turkish tourisim industry. * Bombing tourist sites as well as kidnapping Western tourists, who were subsequently released, primarily in ] and at Turkish seaside resorts in an effort to gain publicity and hamper the Turkish tourisim industry.
* ] loyal to the Turkish government.
* Protests and demonstrations.
* Protests, both peaceful and riot like
* Timered/remote/suicide bombings of public places such as malls, hotels, ], as well as governmental buildings like police stations, hospitals, etc....
* Conducting attacks on Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities in dozens of West European cities in 1993 and again in spring 1995. * Conducting attacks on Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities in dozens of West European cities in 1993 and again in spring 1995.


The Turkish government responded to these actions, by using a more drastic and direct approach against the PKK. According to the Government, from 1984 through November 1997, 26,532 PKK members, 5,185 security force members, and 5,209 civilians lost their lives in the fighting. The damage to infrastructure and the money spent to end the conflict is claimed by the Turkish government to stand at 200 billion ($200,000,000,000) ]. Analysts point out that, if such figures are accurate, this sum would be more than enough to complete the ]. The Turkish government responded to these actions, by using a more drastic and direct approach against the PKK. According to the Government, from 1984 through November 1997, 26,532 PKK members, 5,185 security force members, and 5,209 civilians lost their lives in the fighting. The damage to infrastructure and the money spent to end the conflict is claimed by the Turkish government to stand at 200 billion ($200,000,000,000) ]. Analysts point out that, if such figures are accurate, this sum would be more than enough to complete the ] which had limited progress since the start of the conflict. The conflict left a war-torn region and prompted some hostility towards the ] in the region as well as abroad.

One of the reasons Turkey was denied ] membership was this conflict.


==Resource Gathering== ==Resource Gathering==
] in ], ] (] ])]] ] (April ])]]
] in ], ] (] ])]]
] in ], ] (] ])]]

], ] by burning a ] flag after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan (] ])]]
The organisation raised funds via:{{ref|PKK2}}
], ] by burning a ] flag after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan (] ])]]

Fund raising consisted of a very important portion of the organisation. The organisation raised funds via{{ref|PKK2}}...
* Revenues obtained from the ''special nights'' organised by branch organisations in Europe.
* Revenues obtained from the ''special nights'' organized by branch organizations in Europe.
* Aid campaigns periodically organized by the party. * Aid campaigns periodically organized by the party.
* Grants and subscriptions. * Grants and subscriptions.
* Sales of publications. * Sales of publications.
* Revenues obtained from commercial establishments belonging to the organization.
* Donations to the organisation from Kurds living in European countries.
* Money stolen through robbery or raids.
* Received safehaven and modest aid from ], ], and ].
* Smuggling of illegal workers and immigrants (costing on average $5,000 per person). The route of illegal imigrant traffic passes through ] to ] then to ] and the ].
* ''Aid'' received through intimidation from constructors and merchants running business in the region.
* Money collected through drug trafficking and arms-smuggling.
* Extortion. In common with many terrorist organizations, the PKK routinely extorts money from people who start new businesses, and benefits from bids on government contracts. In order to finance the purchase of more sophisticated weaponry such as the ] design ] ] missles, of which a number were discovered in mountain depots raided by the security forces in the spring of ], the PKK has begun to "tax" rich businessmen of Kurdish origin nationwide. Other professions such as doctors, contractors, builders, farmers, and teachers reportedly are not immune to extortion either. Although the largest portion of PKK's income is derived from drug smuggling, its annual budget is estimated to be $86 million ]. This includes income from extortion in both Turkey and abroad, especially from Kurdish and Turkish workers, most of who reside in Germany. The British National Service of Criminal Intelligence - ]) reported that in ] PKK extorted 2.5 million pounds sterling from immigrants and businesses. According to the same source, PKK obtained 28 million ] from drug smuggling in Europe in ]. In addition, only those businessmen of whom PKK approves entered bids for government contracts in the southeast, in return for a "commission" to the organization. Likewise, temporary workers in the southeast who were paid a monthly net salary of $1,000 ] were forced to give up $700 ] of this sum to the PKK. {{ref|PKK1}} * Extortion. In common with many terrorist organizations, the PKK routinely extorts money from people who start new businesses, and benefits from bids on government contracts. In order to finance the purchase of more sophisticated weaponry such as the ] design ] ] missles, of which a number were discovered in mountain depots raided by the security forces in the spring of ], the PKK has begun to "tax" rich businessmen of Kurdish origin nationwide. Other professions such as doctors, contractors, builders, farmers, and teachers reportedly are not immune to extortion either. Although the largest portion of PKK's income is derived from drug smuggling, its annual budget is estimated to be $86 million ]. This includes income from extortion in both Turkey and abroad, especially from Kurdish and Turkish workers, most of who reside in Germany. The British National Service of Criminal Intelligence - ]) reported that in ] PKK extorted 2.5 million pounds sterling from immigrants and businesses. According to the same source, PKK obtained 28 million ] from drug smuggling in Europe in ]. In addition, only those businessmen of whom PKK approves entered bids for government contracts in the southeast, in return for a "commission" to the organization. Likewise, temporary workers in the southeast who were paid a monthly net salary of $1,000 ] were forced to give up $700 ] of this sum to the PKK. {{ref|PKK1}}
* ''Aid'' received through intimidation from constructors and merchants running business in the region.

* Transfer of money to the organization from the people entitled to payments in European countries, under refugee status
* Received safehaven and modest aid from ], ], and ].


==Tactics== ==Tactics==
The group in operate in high and mountanous rural as well as dense urban areas. While escaping/evading goverment troops members of the PKK often hide in underground safehouses or caves. Although nothing remotely close to ] tunnel networks nor vegetation cover, the mountains and snow made them virtually invisible, especially during ]. The group in operate in high and mountanous rural as well as dense urban areas. The structure and height of this mountainous region in south eastern Turkey makes it very difficult for ] and other aircraft to maneuver, making it difficult for government troops to respond in a timely fashion to any ambush. While escaping/evading goverment troops members of the PKK often hide in underground safehouses or caves. Although nothing remotely close to ] tunnel networks nor vegetation cover, the mountains and snow made them virtually invisible, especially during ]. Their tactics consists of...

* Until 1990s PKK to gain support attacked Kurdish civilians who would not cooperate with the group on a regulary basis. Doing so the were either punishing the non-supporters and intimidate who was left to support the organisation or by blaming the deaths to the ] as a part of its ] campaign. Some 3,223 schools, attended by 166,000 students in 22 districts of two provinces, remained shut in 1996, and 156 teachers have been killed so far. According to June 1995 findings of the State Ministry for Human Rights Affairs, 809 villages and 1,612 hamlets have been evacuated in 19 provinces. Whereas, the State of Emergency Region Governorate announced that 753 villages and 1,535 hamlets were completely evacuated, and 235 villages and 141 hamlets partially evacuated. This activity prompted the government to evacuate some remote villages by force if the villagers did not want to leave their homes. After leaving their homes, the villages were often burned and livestock machine-gunned by the Army to create ''free-fire'' zones and to deprive the ] of resources, this is sometimes called ''draining the water'' in ]. The evacuation have caused significant problems in the cities where the evacuees resettled (mostly larger metropolitan cities). The infrastructure had more people than it can handle.

* Also just like the ], the organisation members often hid themselves in these villages while escaping a pursuit from government troops by "blending in" with the population.
* Planted ]n and ] made ].
* Planted ]n made ] were layed against patroling ] vehicles, however frequently civilian trucks and busses triggered these mines as they are heavy enough. Generally the gendarmerie patroled with Armored vehicles which were either too light to trigger the mine or were armored well enough for the crew to survive the blast while vehicle was rendered useless aside from non-armored yet heavy vehicles such as suply trucks.
* Sabotaging the ]. On occasions engineers working on the project were abducted, foreigners were generaly released however.
* Abducting/killing doctors, teachers, and other non-military government employees which progress the society as a way to destabilise the region.
* Bombing tourist sites and hotels and kidnapping foreign tourists damaging Turkey's tourisim industry.

<!--==PKK and Goverment Corruption/Conspiring==
===Village guards (]: ''Koruculuk'')===
Village guards (]: ''Koruculuk''), ] set up and funded by the ] state in the mid ]s under the direction of ] to act as a local ] against the ] of the ] implicated in attacks on locals, esspecialy ] returning to their villages after forced evacuation. Around 50,000 to 90,000 village guards are still present in southeastern ], within the ] of ].-->
<!-- <!--
== Human Rights ==
===Susurluk Scandal===

Whilst by no means officially endorsed by the Turkish Government, some village guards are reported to have been involved in "]", extrajudicial ] and ], sometimes dressing themselves up as PKK ].

A report by the Turkish Parliament in 1995 confirmed that village guards have been involved in not just these but a wide range of illegal activities, including killing, ], ] and ].

People who refused to join the village guards have had their homes burned, or have been forced to leave and their homes commandeered. They have endured ] and humiliation by the Turkish security forces. There have been some attempts by the Turkish authorities to compensate people who have lost property in this way.

The Turkish Interior Ministry approximates that 296 murders have been committed by village guards in the time between ] and ].

== Links With the PKK ==

There have been reports suggesting that some village guards are under the pay of the Turkish Government and yet do not perform their duties during the day and work for the PKK at night.
--> -->
<!--
===Susurluk Scandal===
--->


==History== ==History==
] (April ])]]
* In ] the Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, was established by ], later formalised its doctrine in ]. * In ] the Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, was established by ], later formalised its doctrine in ].
* In early ]s consolidated resources and power base, prior to the military coup in Turkey, the PKK fled Turkey and established training camps in the ], part of ex-]n-controlled ]. * In early ]s consolidated resources and powerbase, prior to the military coup in Turkey, the PKK fled Turkey and established training camps in the ], part of ex-]n-controlled ].
* In ] the organisation started its armed activities directed towards the Turkish military and Governmental institutes as well as civilian targets throughout ] * In ] the organisation started its armed activities directed towards the Turkish military and Governmental institutes as well as civilian targets throughout ]
* From early ] to ] ], the organisation operated under the banner of PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party). * From early ] to ] ], the organisation operated under the banner of PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party).
* From ] to ], ] raided PKK camps in northern Iraq in with the approval of the Iraqi government. * From ] to ], ] raided PKK camps in northern Iraq in with the approval of the Iraqi government.
* In ] the organisation ammended/abandoned its communist secular ideology to better accommodate and accept Islamic beliefs and also abandoned its previous strategy of attacking Kurdish civilians, focusing instead on governmental and touristic targets. The organisation's all-time high of activity was during the ] when ] opened its Iraqi border allowing Iraqis and PKK members to flee the Saddam regime. The president of the era, ], is heavily criticised for his decision on this matter. * In ] the organisation ammended/abandoned its communist secular ideology to better accommodate and accept Islamic beliefs and also abandoned its previous strategy of attacking Kurdish civilians, focusing instead on governmental and touristic targets. The organisation's all-time high of activity was during the ] when ] opened its Iraqi border allowing Iraqis and PKK members to flee the Saddam regime. The president of the era, ], is heavily criticised for his decision on this matter.
* Two major operations were launched one at the end of ] and other in March ], were launched against the PKK, Some 1,912 PKK members died and 132 were captured alive during the ground actions of Operation Steel which was carried out by the ] in northern ] in May ]. Some 965 PKK members died during the air raids. A total of 113 Turkish officers and soldiers were killed and 325 injured during this operation. * Two major operations were launched one at the end of ] and other in March ], were launched against the PKK, Some 1,912 PKK members died and 132 were captured alive during the ground actions of the Steel Operation carried out by the ] in northern ] in May ]. Some 965 PKK members died during the air raids. A total of 113 Turkish officers and soldiers were killed and 325 injured during this operation.
* Beginning in ], PKK members launched attacks from ]ian soil. * Beginning in ], PKK members launched attacks from ]ian soil.
* Later in ], the PKK launched coordinated attacks involving firebombs and vandalism on Turkish diplomatic and commercial offices in six West European countries. * Later in ], the PKK launched coordinated attacks involving firebombs and vandalism on Turkish diplomatic and commercial offices in six West European countries.
* In ], the political party affiliated with the PKK, ], was banned to operate as a political institution. Some members, most prominently ], were arrested and charged with treason and membership in the PKK but were released in ]. * In ], the political party closely affiliated with the PKK, ], was banned to operate as a political institution. Some members, most prominently ], were arrested and charged with treason and membership in the PKK and were released in ].
* Early ]s president ] to cooperate on the management of water flow from the ], despite a number of protocols signed for that purpose. Reports indicate chose to force ] into releasing more water by increasing his support for PKK.
<!-- doesn't make sense
* Early ]s president ] to cooperate on the management of water flow from the ], despite a number of protocols signed for that purpose. Reports indicate chose to force ] into releasing more water by increasing his support for PKK.
-->
* At the end of ], in PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan signed a protocol of cooperation with the ]. * At the end of ], in PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan signed a protocol of cooperation with the ].
* Over the year ], the ] put out of action 3,302 PKK operatives, among which 484 were captured, 415 surrendered, and 303 arrested, in various operations including those in northern Iraq. During the same period, security forces lost 192 soldiers and 95 others were wounded; in addition, 49 ] were killed and 14 wounded. * Over the year ], the ] put out of action 3,302 PKK operatives, among which 484 captured, 415 surrendered, and 303 arrested, in various operations including those in northern Iraq. During the same period, security forces lost 192 soldiers and 95 others were wounded; in addition, 49 ] were killed and 14 wounded.
] escorted to ] by at least two intelligence agents.]]
] right after capture.]] ] right after capture.]]
] ] ] was captured with.]]
* In ] Turkish authorities captured PKK leader while being transfered by the ] ] in ] to the local airport, in a joint operation between the ] ], ] ], and ]i ]. ] in ] in early ] and a Turkish Court subsequently sentenced him to death for treason. * In ] Turkish authorities captured PKK leader while being transfered by the ] ] in ] to the local airport, in a joint operation between the ] ], ] ], and ]i ]. ] in ] in early ] and a Turkish Court subsequently sentenced him to death for treason.
* In August ], after his capture Öcalan announced his second peace initiative, ordering members to refrain from violence and requesting dialogue with the government of Turkey on all issues. However, before the ink on his court case dried, multiple riots broke out throughout the world near Turkish diplomatic facilities ( and ). * In August ], after his capture Öcalan announced his second peace initiative, ordering members to refrain from violence and requesting dialogue with the government of Turkey on all issues. However, before the ink on his court case dried, multiple riots broke out throughout the world near Turkish diplomatic facilities ( and ).
* In ] the Turkish goverment ammended certain laws to be more compatible with the ] legal system. Most notably abolition of the death penalty, although was not practiced since ], spared the life of ]. * In ] the Turkish goverment ammended certain laws to be more compatible with the ] legal system. Most notably abolition of the death penalty, although was not practiced since ], spared the life of ].
* From ], ] to ], ] the organisation changed name and operated under the banner of KGK (KONGRA-GEL). In ] the armed wing of PKK, HPG (People's Forces of Defence) announced that they ended the unilateral truce they had sustained since the time of Öcalan's capture. * From ], ] to ], ] the organisation changed name and operated under the banner of KGK (KONGRA-GEL). In ] the armed wing of PKK, HPG (People's Forces of Defence) announced that they ended the unilateral truce they had sustained since the time of Öcalan's capture.
* On ], ] The ] (the 15 EU governments) decided to update the European Union list of ] organisations to include Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) (aka. KADEK). Later ammended to include KDK (KONGRA-GEL). This also applies to all and any members joining the EU. * On ], ] The ] (the 15 EU governments) decided to update the European Union list of ] organisations to include Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)(a.k.a. KADEK). Later ammended to include KDK (KONGRA-GEL). This also aplies to all and any members joining the EU.
* On ], ] to ] ], same day as the European Union list of ] update, the organisation changed name and operated under the banner of KADEK (]) * On ], ] to ] ], same day as the European Union list of ] update, the organisation changed name and operated under the banner of KADEK (Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress)
* Later in ] ] has amended its regulations to include all the aliases and off-shoots of PKK in its sanctions list maintained by OFAC (]). The list aims at blocking terrorist property. The organisations currently listed under the PKK aliases item include KADEK (Congress for Freedom and Democracy in Kurdistan), KONGRA-GEL, HSK, KHK and PKK. The organisation also is on the ]. * Later in ] ] has amended its regulations to include all the aliases and off-shoots of PKK in its sanctions list maintained by OFAC (]). The list aims at blocking terrorist property. The organisations currently listed under the PKK aliases item include KADEK (Congress for Freedom and Democracy in Kurdistan), KONGRA-GEL, HSK, KHK and PKK. The organisation also is on the ].
* On ], ]: Organisation changed name and still operating under the banner of PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) * On ], ]: Organisation changed name and still operating under the banner of PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party)

== The PKK now ==

With the end of its unilateral cease-fire in August ] (the cease-fire had lasted for five years), on the claims that Ankara's reforms are "cosmetic", PKK leaders seem to favour a return to armed guerilla warfare. A great increase in PKK attacks on Turkish military, police and governmental targets in the last weeks seem to further prove this fact. The PKK claims it's only acting in self-defense and protection for the Kurds.

Meanwhile, the offical leader of the PKK, the one Kurds call Serok (leader) Apo (Abdullah Öcalan), has recently released the ] .

Since his arrest in 1999, Öcalan had been campaigning for a democratic solution to the kurdish conflict inside the borders of turkey, in this document he asks for a border free confederation between the kurdish pieces of Turkey (called North Kurdistan by Kurdish nationalists), Syria (West Kurdistan), Iraq (South Kurdistan) and Iran (East Kurdistan). In this zone, three bodies of law would be implemented : EU law, Turkish/Syrian/Iraqi/Iranian law and Kurdish law.

Öcalan is to be retried on order of the European Courts of Human Rights, and he has declared his will to use this trial for a "peaceful resolution of the kurdish issue". It is not yet known whether Turkey will comply with the ECHR decision.


<!--{{Kurdistan Workers Party/Timeline}}--> <!--{{Kurdistan Workers Party/Timeline}}-->
]


==Abdullah Öcalan== ==Abdullah Öcalan==
{{main|Abdullah Öcalan}} {{main|Abdullah Öcalan}}


Abdullah Öcalan (b. ]) is the leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party and was captured in ] in early ] in a joint operation between the ] ], ] ], and ]i ]. '''Abdullah Öcalan''' (b. ]) is the leader of the ] and was captured in ] in early ] in a joint operation between the ] ], ] ], and ]i ].


==See also== ==See Also==


* ] * ]
* ]


==Sources== ==Sources==
*{{note|PKK1}} Section based on the article by Nur Bilge Criss, 'The Nature of PKK Terrorism in Turkey', Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 8 (1995) pp. 17-37
*{{note|PKK2}} Section based on material published by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs unless specified otherwise. *{{note|PKK2}} Section based on material published by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs unless specified otherwise.
*{{note|PKK1}} Section based on the article by Nur Bilge Criss, 'The Nature of PKK Terrorism in Turkey', Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 8 (1995) pp. 17-37


==External links== ==External links==
===Websites that describe PKK as a ] organisation===

===Websites supporting the PKK===
*
*
*
*

===Kurdish Issue in Turkey===

*
*
*
*
*

===PKK - Kurdish Issue links===

*
*
*

===Websites with criticism of the PKK===
'''Govermental:''' '''Govermental:'''
* *
*
* *
* *
<!--Does not load, 404
*
* *
*

'''Non-Govermental:''' -->'''Non-Govermental:'''
* *
* , from Apr 1, 1988 to Jul 24, 1999 * , from Apr 1, 1988 to Jul 24, 1999
* *
*
*
*
*
* , by Foundation for Middle East and Balkan Studies * , by Foundation for Middle East and Balkan Studies
* , by Goltz - Politics and Comment - Los Angeles Times February 28, 1999 * , by Goltz - Politics and Comment - Los Angeles Times February 28, 1999
*
*
*
*
* - ] (www.hrw.org) * - ] (www.hrw.org)
* - ] (www.hrw.org) * - ] (www.hrw.org)
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<!-- for the same reason that we should have www.kurdistan.org in the PKK article below, the kurds are going to have an inherent bias, and the turks are going to have an inherent bias, this should be shown. Or do you really think the ATAA are a neutral unbiased source? (they called armenia a "rats hole", which maybe you believe but most people would think is a tad on the biased side.) --> <!-- for the same reason that we should have www.kurdistan.org in the PKK article below, the kurds are going to have an inherent bias, and the turks are going to have an inherent bias, this should be shown. Or do you really think the ATAA are a neutral unbiased source? (they called armenia a "rats hole", which maybe you believe but most people would think is a tad on the biased side.) -->


===Websites that describe PKK as ]s===
*
*
*
*


] ]
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]
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Revision as of 15:35, 21 May 2005

File:Pkk.gif
Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) Flag
File:Kadek flag.jpg
Congress for Freedom and Democracy in Kurdistan (KADEK) Flag
File:Kongra-gel flag.jpg
Kongra-gel Flag

The Kurdistan Workers Party (Kurdish: Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan or PKK), is one of several organisations striving for the rights of the kurdish people in Turkey. Its main objective is the creation of an independent Kurdish state in Kurdistan, a territory that is currently southeastern Turkey, northeastern Iraq, northeastern Syria and northwestern Iran. It arose from a radical youth movement in Turkey and was founded in 1973 by Abdullah Öcalan. Operated informally until 1978 when it proclaimed itself a revolutionary communist movement following a Marxist-Leninist doctrine, though since then it has abandoned much of its leftist doctrine. In 2002, the party renamed itself to KADEK, and then in 2004 to Kongra-Gel. Finally in 2005 the party reverted back to its original name, PKK. In its campaign for Kurdish independence, the organisation has been accused of atrocities against both Turkish and Kurdish civilians. However, the Turkish Government has also been accused of widespread atrocities in its campaign to suppress the organisation, and has continued to repress efforts by the Kurdish people in Turkey to secure regional autonomy or independence.

Activities

PKK's targets consist of...

  • Turkish military and police forces
  • Turkish sites at home and abroad
  • * Kurdish civilians who would not cooperate with the group or were alleged of collaborating with the Turkish military
  • non-Kurdish civilians
  • Suicide bombs targeting local governors and police installations, and raiding villages and small towns are also among the activities.
  • Bombing tourist sites as well as kidnapping Western tourists, who were subsequently released, primarily in Istanbul and at Turkish seaside resorts in an effort to gain publicity and hamper the Turkish tourisim industry.
  • Village guards loyal to the Turkish government.
  • Protests, both peaceful and riot like
  • Timered/remote/suicide bombings of public places such as malls, hotels, bazaars, as well as governmental buildings like police stations, hospitals, etc....
  • Conducting attacks on Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities in dozens of West European cities in 1993 and again in spring 1995.

The Turkish government responded to these actions, by using a more drastic and direct approach against the PKK. According to the Government, from 1984 through November 1997, 26,532 PKK members, 5,185 security force members, and 5,209 civilians lost their lives in the fighting. The damage to infrastructure and the money spent to end the conflict is claimed by the Turkish government to stand at 200 billion ($200,000,000,000) US dollars. Analysts point out that, if such figures are accurate, this sum would be more than enough to complete the GAP Project which had limited progress since the start of the conflict. The conflict left a war-torn region and prompted some hostility towards the Kurds in the region as well as abroad.

One of the reasons Turkey was denied European Union membership was this conflict.

Resource Gathering

PKK supporters demonstrating in London (April 2003)
File:Frankfurd PKK protests after the capture of PKK leader.jpg
PKK supporters demonstrating after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan in Frankfurt, Germany (16 February 1999)
File:Hamburg PKK protests after the capture of PKK leader.jpg
PKK supporters demonstrating after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan in Hamburg, Germany (16 February 1999)
File:Ottawa PKK protests after the capture of PKK leader1.jpg
PKK Supporters demonstrating in Ottawa, Canada by burning a US flag after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan (17 February 1999)
File:Ottawa PKK protests after the capture of PKK leader2.jpg
PKK Supporters demonstrating in Ottawa, Canada by burning a Greek flag after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan (17 February 1999)

Fund raising consisted of a very important portion of the organisation. The organisation raised funds via...

  • Revenues obtained from the special nights organized by branch organizations in Europe.
  • Aid campaigns periodically organized by the party.
  • Grants and subscriptions.
  • Sales of publications.
  • Revenues obtained from commercial establishments belonging to the organization.
  • Money stolen through robbery or raids.
  • Smuggling of illegal workers and immigrants (costing on average $5,000 per person). The route of illegal imigrant traffic passes through Turkey to Greece then to Europe and the United States.
  • Money collected through drug trafficking and arms-smuggling.
  • Extortion. In common with many terrorist organizations, the PKK routinely extorts money from people who start new businesses, and benefits from bids on government contracts. In order to finance the purchase of more sophisticated weaponry such as the German design SA FIM-92 Stinger missles, of which a number were discovered in mountain depots raided by the security forces in the spring of 1994, the PKK has begun to "tax" rich businessmen of Kurdish origin nationwide. Other professions such as doctors, contractors, builders, farmers, and teachers reportedly are not immune to extortion either. Although the largest portion of PKK's income is derived from drug smuggling, its annual budget is estimated to be $86 million USD. This includes income from extortion in both Turkey and abroad, especially from Kurdish and Turkish workers, most of who reside in Germany. The British National Service of Criminal Intelligence - NSIC) reported that in 1993 PKK extorted 2.5 million pounds sterling from immigrants and businesses. According to the same source, PKK obtained 28 million USD from drug smuggling in Europe in 1993. In addition, only those businessmen of whom PKK approves entered bids for government contracts in the southeast, in return for a "commission" to the organization. Likewise, temporary workers in the southeast who were paid a monthly net salary of $1,000 USD were forced to give up $700 USD of this sum to the PKK.
  • Aid received through intimidation from constructors and merchants running business in the region.
  • Transfer of money to the organization from the people entitled to payments in European countries, under refugee status
  • Received safehaven and modest aid from Syria, Iraq, and Iran.

Tactics

The group in operate in high and mountanous rural as well as dense urban areas. The structure and height of this mountainous region in south eastern Turkey makes it very difficult for helicopters and other aircraft to maneuver, making it difficult for government troops to respond in a timely fashion to any ambush. While escaping/evading goverment troops members of the PKK often hide in underground safehouses or caves. Although nothing remotely close to Vietcong tunnel networks nor vegetation cover, the mountains and snow made them virtually invisible, especially during winter. Their tactics consists of...

  • Until 1990s PKK to gain support attacked Kurdish civilians who would not cooperate with the group on a regulary basis. Doing so the were either punishing the non-supporters and intimidate who was left to support the organisation or by blaming the deaths to the Turkish Military as a part of its propaganda campaign. Some 3,223 schools, attended by 166,000 students in 22 districts of two provinces, remained shut in 1996, and 156 teachers have been killed so far. According to June 1995 findings of the State Ministry for Human Rights Affairs, 809 villages and 1,612 hamlets have been evacuated in 19 provinces. Whereas, the State of Emergency Region Governorate announced that 753 villages and 1,535 hamlets were completely evacuated, and 235 villages and 141 hamlets partially evacuated. This activity prompted the government to evacuate some remote villages by force if the villagers did not want to leave their homes. After leaving their homes, the villages were often burned and livestock machine-gunned by the Army to create free-fire zones and to deprive the guerillas of resources, this is sometimes called draining the water in counter-insurgency. The evacuation have caused significant problems in the cities where the evacuees resettled (mostly larger metropolitan cities). The infrastructure had more people than it can handle.
  • Also just like the Vietcong, the organisation members often hid themselves in these villages while escaping a pursuit from government troops by "blending in" with the population.
  • Planted Russian and Itallian made Anti-personnel mines.
  • Planted Russian made Anti-vehicle mines were layed against patroling Turkish Gendarmerie vehicles, however frequently civilian trucks and busses triggered these mines as they are heavy enough. Generally the gendarmerie patroled with Armored vehicles which were either too light to trigger the mine or were armored well enough for the crew to survive the blast while vehicle was rendered useless aside from non-armored yet heavy vehicles such as suply trucks.
  • Sabotaging the GAP Project. On occasions engineers working on the project were abducted, foreigners were generaly released however.
  • Abducting/killing doctors, teachers, and other non-military government employees which progress the society as a way to destabilise the region.
  • Bombing tourist sites and hotels and kidnapping foreign tourists damaging Turkey's tourisim industry.


History

  • In 1973 the Kurdistan Workers Party, PKK, was established by Abdullah Öcalan, later formalised its doctrine in 1978.
  • In early 1980s consolidated resources and powerbase, prior to the military coup in Turkey, the PKK fled Turkey and established training camps in the Bekaa valley, part of ex-Syrian-controlled Lebanon.
  • In 1984 the organisation started its armed activities directed towards the Turkish military and Governmental institutes as well as civilian targets throughout Turkey
  • From early 1984 to 2 April 2002, the organisation operated under the banner of PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party).
  • From 1986 to 1987, Turkish Air Force raided PKK camps in northern Iraq in with the approval of the Iraqi government.
  • In 1990s the organisation ammended/abandoned its communist secular ideology to better accommodate and accept Islamic beliefs and also abandoned its previous strategy of attacking Kurdish civilians, focusing instead on governmental and touristic targets. The organisation's all-time high of activity was during the Gulf War when Turkey opened its Iraqi border allowing Iraqis and PKK members to flee the Saddam regime. The president of the era, Turgut Özal, is heavily criticised for his decision on this matter.
  • Two major operations were launched one at the end of 1992 and other in March 1995, were launched against the PKK, Some 1,912 PKK members died and 132 were captured alive during the ground actions of the Steel Operation carried out by the Turkish Army in northern Iraq in May 1997. Some 965 PKK members died during the air raids. A total of 113 Turkish officers and soldiers were killed and 325 injured during this operation.
  • Beginning in 1993, PKK members launched attacks from Iranian soil.
  • Later in 1993, the PKK launched coordinated attacks involving firebombs and vandalism on Turkish diplomatic and commercial offices in six West European countries.
  • In 1994, the political party closely affiliated with the PKK, Democracy Party, was banned to operate as a political institution. Some members, most prominently Leyla Zana, were arrested and charged with treason and membership in the PKK and were released in 2004.
  • Early 1990s president Hafez Assad to cooperate on the management of water flow from the GAP project, despite a number of protocols signed for that purpose. Reports indicate chose to force Turkey into releasing more water by increasing his support for PKK.
  • At the end of 1996, in PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan signed a protocol of cooperation with the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C).
  • Over the year 1997, the Turkish Army put out of action 3,302 PKK operatives, among which 484 captured, 415 surrendered, and 303 arrested, in various operations including those in northern Iraq. During the same period, security forces lost 192 soldiers and 95 others were wounded; in addition, 49 village guards were killed and 14 wounded.
File:Ocalancoming.jpg
Abdullah Öcalan escorted to Turkey by at least two intelligence agents.
File:Ocalan right after capture.jpg
Abdullah Öcalan right after capture.
File:Cypruspassportofocalan.jpg
Cyprus passport Abdullah Öcalan was captured with.


Abdullah Öcalan

Main article: Abdullah Öcalan

Abdullah Öcalan (b. 1948) is the leader of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and was captured in Kenya in early 1999 in a joint operation between the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Turkish National Intelligence Agency (MIT), and Israeli Institute for Intelligence and Special Tasks agency (Mossad).

See Also

Sources

  • Section based on material published by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs unless specified otherwise.
  • Section based on the article by Nur Bilge Criss, 'The Nature of PKK Terrorism in Turkey', Studies in Conflict and Terrorism 8 (1995) pp. 17-37

External links

Websites that describe PKK as a terrorist organisation

Govermental:

Non-Govermental:


Websites that describe PKK as freedom fighters

Categories: