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BUSINESS 306
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Political Science
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Dec 19, 2024
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THE KURDISTAN WORKERS’ PARTY (PKK)NameCourseDate
Kurdish Workers’ Party 1The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)IntroductionKurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is a radical Kurdish organization established by Abdullah Ocalan. The organization's origin dates back to the 1970s. The organization also goes by other names, including Kurdistan People's Congress and Congress for Freedom and Democracy in Kurdistan, reflecting its political agenda. At first, PKK demanded the establishment of a sovereign Kurdish state. However, it toned down the demands of the quest for greater Kurdish autonomy. The Kurds inhabited eastern Turkey, northern Syria Armenia, western Iran, and northern Iraq for many decades. The population did not attain a nation-state position despite the many attempts. Governments conceived their demands as a threat to unity, thus piling pressure on the population. They experienced pressure and persecution from the respective governments. Turkey underwent a social revolution in the 1960s, and the 1970s culminated in the rise in Kurdish militant organizations in the country, including PKK. The organization employed the Marxist ideology as it demanded independence. This project's chief objective is to critically explore PKK, focusing on its leadership, genesis metamorphosis, objectives, and capabilities. Genesis of PKKPKK's formation happened around 1974. According to an article titled "PKK: The Kurdistan Workers' Party”, Abdullah Öcalan steered the organization's formation, rooting it on Marxist–Leninist ideology. It adopted the name Kurdistan Worker's party in 1978. The group mostly comprised Turkish Kurds at the beginning. The group’s extremist activities commenced
Kurdish Workers’ Party 2in early 1980s.1Its primary purpose has been to create sovereign Kurdish in Turkey, Iran, Syria and Iraq. Intelligence Resource Program reveals that PKK advanced in its extremist cause in the 1990s, given its engagement in urban terrorism. The increased threat prompted the Turkish government to launch a crackdown on the group, resulting in Ocalan’s arrest in Kenya in 1999. Turkey took Ocalan before the Turkish State Security Court for prosecution. The proceedings resulted in a death penalty verdict. However, the sentence was not executed because the country outlawed the death penalty.2The court converted the sentence into life imprisonment. A historical review of PKK reveals that it differentiated itself based on social composition and orientation. PKK drew most of its supporters from the lower classes. Accordingto Intelligence Resource Program, the group embraced a radical approach to issues, acknowledging violence as the primary means of running its cause. PKK demonstrated the willingness to employ force against Kurds alleged to support the government against the Kurdishmovement. Its approach to issues may be why the group appeared as a terrorist organization. It endeavored to force people to agree with its ideologies, culminating in many enemies.3PKK's primary targets have been the Turkish government, including military, police, government officials, and citizens that resent its activities in the country. PKK targets Turkey outside the country. The militia group targeted Turkey’s foreign missions in various cities in West Europe in1“PKK: The Kurdistan Workers’ Party,” n.d. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://thekurdishproject.org/history-and-culture/kurdish-nationalism/pkk-kurdistan-workers-party/. 2Intelligence Resource Program. Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), n.d. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://irp.fas.org/world/para/pkk.htm. 3Ibid.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 3the early 1990s. Also, the group targeted Turkey's tourist industry by bombing hotels and tourist sites. It kidnapped foreign tourists in the 1990s. Turkish authorities linked PKK to various bombings dozens of bombings in the country's capital in 2005. The attack resulted in the deaths of foreign tourists and locals. There have been dozens of confrontations between Turkish security forces and PKK associate groups.4PKK remains a leading threat to security in Turkey, forcing the Turkish government to take offensive approaches towards it. PKK's Leadership and Command StructureOcalan, a Turkish Kurd, was PKK's founder and chief leader. His arrest and life imprisonment have culminated in many questions regarding the organization's command structure, especially in the wake of many organizations linked to its operations. According to Bruno, some people claim that Ocalan is still running the organization despite his imprisonment. PKK sustains a huge following in Turkey, implying the strong roots developed by its founder. For instance, Kurds still stand in solidarity with Ocalan in their spring festival celebrations.5There has been a significant increase in PKK’s affiliate organizations, which are responsible for the increased perpetration of violence in Turkey and the Middle East. The group launches attacksin Iran. People who have been following the groups' activities contend that their operations basesare in valleys surrounding Mount Qandil, on the border between Iraq and Iran.6Still, the constantconfrontation between the group and the government implies that they might spread their operations in other parts to hide from the government operations and plan their activities. 4Ibid. 5Greg Bruno. Inside the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), 2007. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/inside-kurdistan-workers-party-pkk6Ibid.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 4Many people examine PKK's leadership and structure based on its affiliate organizations. One of such organizations is the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK). Notably, KCK is the umbrella organization that unites the Apoist or Ocalan's followers. Ocalan founded the PKK and other groups, which operate based on his ideology. KCK went under the Kurdistan Committees Union (KKK) upon its formation. It acted as the organization’s co-federal council in 2005.7PKK’s members refer to KCK as a community. KCK operates in all the territories occupied by PKK. The group is well organized as evident in its operational structure. Its three main arms include an executive committee (lead organ), a representative assembly (called the Kongra-Gel), and a judiciary. Murat Karayılan was the first chairman of PKK’s executive council, with Cemil Bayık deputizing him. Evidently, the PKK is spreading its wings due to the various groups linked to it. They include Kurdistan Democratic Solution Party, PYD, and the Kurdistan Free Life Party8Although many have not been documented widely, these groups have their armed wings. The group organizes most of its operations at the country level. Arguably, kit lacks a clearcentralized command because its known founder and chief leader is in custody. The most crucial question worth posing here concerns PKK's evolution to PCK. Researchon the terrorist group shows that it has been trying to adapt to the changing environment. For instance, it went by the People's Congress of Kurdistan in 2003. Other transformations include the establishment of an armed wing called the People's Defense Forces in 2000. PKK's armed 7Nazli Seyma Gurbuz. YPG, PKK: Sharing same ideology, structure, leadership. Daily Sabah, 2018. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2018/02/27/ypg-pkk-sharing-same-ideology-structure-leadership. 8Ibid.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 5faction, established in 2000. The armed wing continued to operate based on PKK’S original philosophy. The PYD initiated a restructuring process to increase its efficiency. Still, it could notdeviate from PKK’s core principles and philosophy. These activities caused the Turkish authorities to label it as KCK's Syrian division in 2009. From this explanation, one can tell that PKK has continued to undergo metamorphosis, making it difficult to define its leadership and structure.9However, the group continues to thrive based on the allegiance to its founder, especially his ideology. PKK's ActivitiesPKK is a militia organization that considers the government and citizens that do not support its existence as enemies. According to the Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the organization has increased its footprint in Turkey. Its main targets include police, economic, military, and social facilities in Turkey. PKK has been becoming more aggressive in recent years, as evident in attacks on diplomatic and consular facilities and civilians.10PKK engages in many crimes to enable it raise cash to fund its activities. They include illegal drug trade, human and arms smuggling, and extortion. In other terms, the group thrives on crime; thus, endangering people's lives in the places where it operates. The group continues to recruit members in the operational countries, increasing its scale and threat level to national and international security. PKK has three different wings vital for executing its operations.11They include the armed wing, People's Defense Forces, the women's armed wing, and the youth wing. 9Ibid. 10Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs. PKK, 2022. https://www.mfa.gov.tr/pkk.en.mfa#:~:text=PKK's%20primary%20targets%20include%20police,arms%20smuggling%2C%20and%20drug%20trafficking.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 6PKK knows how to pass its message across the world, given that it utilizes violence to draw attention. Most of its operations happen in southern Turkey and northern Iraq. However, recent trends reveal that the group is infiltrating other countries in the Middle East and Europe.12Syria is the latest breeding ground for the group, given the delicate security situation in the country caused by a weak government and the spread of ISIL. International Crisis Group contends that the Kurdistan Workers Party has been a primary perpetrator of violence in the affected countries for nearly three decades, culminating in approximately 45,000 deaths. The groups, violent tactics, often conducted by its military faction, include direct attacks on people, kidnappings, and bombings. The group's members often camouflage with the civilians, given thatthey do not wear uniforms to identify them. This gives PKK an advantage over the government entities on the battlefield. The observation explains why PKK managers kill armed military men working for governments. They use guerilla tactics, including planting bombs and improvised explosive devices in target locations.13Still, the group has lost a significant number of their fighter and supporters due to the direct attacks by government troops. Current Status and Capabilities of the OrganizationThe chief purpose of the Kurdistan Workers Party is to press for autonomy. Throughout its history, the group has adjusted its goals based on external and internal factors. The organization did not press for an autonomous state at a certain point, but wanted recognition as 11International Crisis Group. Turkey’s PKK Conflict: A Visual Explainer, 2022. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://www.crisisgroup.org/content/turkeys-pkk-conflict-visual-explainer. 12Ibid. 13Ibid.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 7an independent nation within Turkey. Such a move intended to allow the group to that allowed the Kurds to achieve self-expression based on their traditions and beliefs.14Its leader insisted thatthe organization was not emphasizing a separate state but that the group wanted to operate on a state-model basis to guarantee the people's economic, social, political, and cultural rights. Arguably, the Kurdistan Workers Party wants to experience self-governance based on Democratic Confederalism. Such an operational model implies that the group will be acting as a government within a government in Turkey as they would elect their leaders and determine their governance structures.15The group's objectives do not go well with the governments where they operate, culminating in a change of tactic. PKK has evolved from a coalition of Kurds wishing topursue their rights to a terrorist organization. The organization has amassed substantial resources,enabling it to mount resistance states in the active regions. PKK has been recruiting members in Europe and the Middle East and equipping them with military skills.16The group has been replicating in different countries, as evident in the formation of different affiliate entities. The spread of the organization has been a significant threat to peace and state sovereigntyin the affected regions. According to the International Crisis Group (n.p), Turkey, European Union, and the United States brand PKK a terrorist organization and they have been trying to suppress it. The Syrian government has been running a crackdown against the supporters and sympathizers of the Peoples' Democratic Party. There is an ongoing case regarding the Peoples' Democratic Party's closure. As captured in the introductory remarks, PKK's formation, grievances, and ideologies did not go down well with various governments, which saw its formation as a threat to national unity. One of the group's main enemies has been the Turkish 14Ibid. 15Bruno, Inside the Kurdistan Workers Party, n.p. 16International Crisis Group. Turkey’s PKK Conflict, n.p.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 8government, which continually resented the PKK's idea of forming an independent Kurdish state.The party has been in a significant conflict with the Government of Turkey, culminating in violent scenes. However, it is essential to note that the two began engaging in ceasefire talks from 2013. Researchers opine that the ceasefire talks have resulted from the PKK-led attacks in Turkey. Since its inception, most of the organization's attacks have happened in Turkey, with thepolice, military, government entities, and officials as the main targets.PKK remains a threat to peace, especially in Turkey and other conflict-prone countries in the Middle East. The conflict between the group and the government has been resurging since the beginning of this year. According to the International Crisis Group, impact places include northern Iraq, southeast Turkey, predominantly rural areas, and the border between Syria and Turkey. The Turkish military continues to target PKK's leaders by employing armed drones. Still, the attacks have not been sufficient in suppressing PKK. The group has been showing resilience through offensive and retaliatory attacks. There has been a series of attacks linked to PKK this year. They include the death of three Turkish soldiers died due to an explosion in Akçakle town on 8th January. Another planned attack happened on 18th January where the group targeted Kirkuk-Ceyhan oil pipeline in Kahramanmaraş, impeding oil supply for a day. Turkish government retaliated through air attacks on1 February, targeting Derik in Syria and Makhmour and Sinjar in Iraq.17. The coordinated attacks resulted in many deaths and injuries; however, many sources could not affirm the claims regarding the attack as reported by the Turkey government. PKK launched what appeared to be a retaliatory attack on Turkey's military on 3 February, in Şırnak's Cizre district at the Turkey-Syria border.18PKK's activities traverse national borders, making it difficult to control its activities. 17Ibid. 18Ibid.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 9PKK has replicated its operations, and its continued existence poses a significant threat toTurkey's stability. Turkey's government has been making continuous efforts to neutralize the threat posed by Kurdistan Workers Party. For instance, Turkey has been attacking several knownthe group's known breeding grounds in northern Syria. Military attacks seem not to be the only approach to suppressing the militia's threat to Turkey's peace and stability.19Turkey also negotiates with the group and its affiliates to end violence. Undoubtedly, the group remains a significant threat to Turkey's sovereignty. For example, intelligence links PKK to a 2016's coup attempt in Turkey. Turkey continues to mount its response to such threats. For instance, it responded to the coup attempt by arresting approximately 50,000 Turkish and Kurdish people. Turkey's government also compounded airstrikes on all known Kurdish militant hideouts associated with PKK and its affiliate organizations, including Kurdistan People's Congress. Turkey extended its military operations to other countries, including Syrian.20The offensive action intended to suppress the PKK's presence by targeting their locations in Syria. Turkey is cooperating with other affected countries to recapture the Syrian Army to recapture the various territories under the Kurdish militant group's control. Turkey cannot rest as long as PKK is still operating in Iraq, Syria, and Iran. Still, controversies surrounding some of the "so-called" military operations exist. For instance, the Iraqi government claimed that Turkey has an assertiveforeign policy regarding joint military operations against PKK.21Cooperation remains vital for 19Sener Aktürk. "Turkey's civil rights movement and the reactionary coup: segregation, emancipation, and the western reaction." Insight Turkey 18, no. 3 (2016): 141.20Ibid. 21Wladimir van Wilgenburg. "Is Syria Cooperating Militarily with Turkey Against the PKK?." Terrorism Monitor 8, no. 35 (2010).
Kurdish Workers’ Party 10ending the threat posed to countries by the PKK. Countries should adopt practical diplomatic approaches to make meaningful progress in the war against PKK. ConclusionPKK is an extremist organization operating in Europe and the Middle East. The organization began as a group advocating for the rights of the Kurds in Turkey and other countries. Its beginning, especially its founder's ideology, raised people's eyebrows, especially inTurkey, forcing the government to resist it. The group's failure to secure its demands caused it to degenerate into a terrorist organization, causing significant problems to the governments of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. PKK has various organs, with military wings responsible for perpetrating violence against militaries. The question of the group's leadership is vital in contemporary discussions, considering that its founder was arrested and is currently in prison. The analysis reveals that Abdullah Ocalan, PKK's founder, still influences the group. The organization has not yet named an individual to replace Ocalan means that the group and its affiliates are still operating under his influence and ideology. PKK has developed adaptations similar to other terrorist organizations. It considers governments its enemies and often launches attacks targeting the military and civilians. The link of PKK's activities to the emerging terrorist organizations such as ISIL implies complexities in suppressing its operations. Bibliography“PKK: The Kurdistan Workers’ Party,” n.d. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://thekurdishproject.org/history-and-culture/kurdish-nationalism/pkk-kurdistan-workers-party/.
Kurdish Workers’ Party 11Aktürk, Sener. "Turkey's civil rights movement and the reactionary coup: segregation, emancipation, and the western reaction." Insight Turkey 18, no. 3 (2016): 141.Bruno, Greg, Inside the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), 2007. Council on Foreign Relations. https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/inside-kurdistan-workers-party-pkkGurbuz, Seyma Nazli. YPG, PKK: Sharing same ideology, structure, leadership. Daily Sabah, 2018. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2018/02/27/ypg-pkk-sharing-same-ideology-structure-leadership. Intelligence Resource Program. Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), n.d. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://irp.fas.org/world/para/pkk.htm. International Crisis Group. Turkey’s PKK Conflict: A Visual Explainer, 2022. Last modified February 19, 2022. https://www.crisisgroup.org/content/turkeys-pkk-conflict-visual-explainer. Turkey Ministry of Foreign Affairs. PKK, 2022. https://www.mfa.gov.tr/pkk.en.mfa#:~:text=PKK's%20primary%20targets%20include%20police,arms%20smuggling%2C%20and%20drug%20trafficking.van Wilgenburg, Wladimir. "Is Syria Cooperating Militarily with Turkey Against the PKK?." Terrorism Monitor 8, no. 35 (2010).