Key Milestones in the Turkey-PKK Conflict

Abdullah Ocalan of the PKK has urged an end to violence, marking a crucial point in the Turkey-PKK conflict. This article outlines key dates in this struggle, including the PKK’s establishment, Ocalan’s arrest, attempts at peace, and the collapse of ceasefires. The conflict has led to significant loss of life and remains a sensitive issue in Turkish politics.

Abdullah Ocalan, the leader of the PKK, recently called for an end to hostilities, urging fighters to disband the group he established. This marks a significant moment in the ongoing conflict between the PKK and the Turkish state, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Below are five pivotal dates that illustrate the tumultuous history of this struggle.

1. Formation of the PKK (1978): The PKK was founded by students at Ankara University with Maoist-Leninist ideologies aimed at Kurdish liberation through armed insurgency. Abdullah Ocalan, who was studying political science, was chosen as the organization’s leader.

2. Military Coup and Armed Conflict (1980-1984): Following the 1980 Turkish military coup, Ocalan and his associates sought refuge in Syria and Lebanon. The PKK adopted a strategy of armed conflict in 1984, launching attacks from its bases in Lebanon against Turkish military positions. This ignited a violent response from Turkey, leading to severe clashes especially in Kurdish-majority areas.

3. Ocalan’s Arrest (1999): On February 15, 1999, Ocalan was apprehended in Kenya and sentenced to death in Turkey. He was subsequently placed in solitary confinement on Imrali Island. In 2002, following EU-backed reforms, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment, reflecting a shift in Turkey’s approach to the conflict.

4. The 2013 Peace Process: In a letter read on March 21, 2013, during Newroz celebrations, Ocalan urged the PKK to cease arms as negotiations with the Turkish government began. These talks, which included mediators from the pro-Kurdish HDP party, aimed to bring peace amid escalating tensions, including previous secret discussions between the PKK and Turkey’s National Intelligence Organisation in Oslo.

5. Collapse of the Truce (2015): The peace process deteriorated in July 2015 following a bomb attack in Suruc. The HDP’s electoral success intensified fears within the Erdogan administration of losing power, which prompted military offensives against the PKK in Iraq and escalated violence domestically. This initiated a phase marked by severe urban conflicts, continued government crackdowns on Kurdish political activities, and the deployment of Turkish troops in Syria.

The relationship between the Turkish government and the PKK remains strained, despite surprising gestures of reconciliation, such as the nationalist MHP party encouraging Ocalan to renounce violence. Recent meetings between HDP lawmakers and Ocalan on Imrali underscore ongoing attempts at dialogue amid a protracted and complex conflict.

In summary, the Turkey-PKK conflict has evolved through significant events since the PKK’s formation in 1978. Abdullah Ocalan’s role as a leader and his recent call for peace imply potential pathways to resolution. However, the historical backdrop of violence and political struggles continues to challenge peace efforts. The complexity of this decade-long conflict necessitates addressing both historical grievances and current political dynamics to foster enduring peace.

Original Source: www.newarab.com