Key Dates and Developments in the Turkey-PKK Conflict

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, marked by violence since 1978, has seen Abdullah Ocalan urge the group to dissolve and seek peace. Initiated as a liberation movement, the PKK’s armed struggle has led to severe consequences for the Kurdish region. Recent dialogues with Ocalan suggest potential shifts towards resolving this long-standing conflict, although challenges remain.

The long-standing conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has been shaped by significant historical events. Abdullah Ocalan, the founder and leader of the PKK, called for the dissolution of the militant group on Thursday, urging members to lay down their arms. The PKK was established in 1978 by students at Ankara University, aiming for Kurdish liberation through armed struggle, with Ocalan as the leader.

Following a military coup in Turkey in 1980, Ocalan and the PKK fled to Syria and Lebanon, where they initiated armed conflict against Turkey starting in 1984. The PKK trained militants in Lebanon while launching attacks on Turkish forces, leading to severe violence in the predominantly Kurdish southeast, resulting in a near civil war.

Ocalan was captured on February 15, 1999, in Kenya and sentenced to death in Turkey, although his sentence was later commuted to life imprisonment in 2002 following Turkey’s reforms to abolish the death penalty. He sent a message to the PKK on March 21, 2013, during Newroz, encouraging a ceasefire amid negotiations with the Turkish government, assisted by the pro-Kurdish HDP party.

The peace process deteriorated in July 2015 following a bomb attack in Suruc and increasing political tensions, prompting Turkey to launch military operations against PKK targets in Iraq. The PKK responded with urban warfare, leading to intense fighting in the southeastern regions of Turkey, especially around Diyarbakir, leaving profound societal scars.

Tensions further escalated following a failed coup attempt in 2016, resulting in a government crackdown on Kurdish political movements. In recent developments, the hardline nationalist MHP party surprisingly reached out to Ocalan, urging a non-violent resolution, supported by President Erdogan. Initiatives by DEM lawmakers have led to multiple meetings with Ocalan on Imrali Island, signaling a potential shift in the conflict dynamics.

In summary, the PKK has engaged in a protracted insurgency against the Turkish state since its inception in 1978, leading to immense loss of life and ongoing tensions. With recent attempts by Ocalan and political factions to reopen dialogues and seek peaceful resolutions, the future of Turkish-Kurdish relations remains uncertain yet pivotal. The conflict is complicated by historical grievances, military actions, and evolving political landscapes.

Original Source: www.newarab.com