Editing Kurdistan Workers' Party (section)

== History ==
{{main|History of the Kurdistan Workers' Party}}

=== 1970s ===
[[File:Pkk_supporters_london_april_2003.jpg|left|thumb|PKK supporters at 2003 march opposing the [[Iraq War]], London]]
During the 1970s, the PKK was involved in [[History of the Kurdistan Workers' Party#Urban War (1978–1980)|urban warfare]]. PKK tactics were based on [[ambush]], [[sabotage]], riots, protests, and [[Demonstration (protest)|demonstrations]] against the Turkish government. During these years, the PKK also fought a turf war against Kurdish and Turkish radical Islamist organisations in Turkey. Turkish newspapers said that the PKK effectively used the prison force to appeal to the general population, which the PKK has denied.<ref name=":42" /><ref name=":53" /> In Turkey, this period was characterized by violent clashes that culminated in the [[1980 Turkish coup d'état|1980 military coup]].

=== 1980s ===
The [[1980 Turkish coup d'état]] brought a difficult environment for the PKK, with members being executed, or being jailed. Other fled to Syria, where they were allowed to establish bases by [[Hafez al-Assad]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tejel |first=Jordi |author-link=Jordi Tejel |date=2014 |title=Les paradoxes du printemps kurde en Syrie |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24638616 |journal=Politique étrangère |volume=79 |issue=2 |page=54 |issn=0032-342X |jstor=24638616}}</ref> The PKK also managed to come to agreements with the [[Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine]] (DFLP),<ref>{{Cite book |last=Marcus |first=Aliza |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xlITCgAAQBAJ |title=Blood and Belief: The PKK and the Kurdish Fight for Independence |publisher=[[NYU Press]] |year=2012 |isbn=978-0814759561 |pages=55–57 |language=en}}</ref> the [[Fatah]] of [[Yasser Arafat|Yassir Arafat]] or the [[Palestinian Popular Struggle Front]] (PPSF) of [[Samir Ghawshah]]<ref name=":8">Marcus, Aliza (2012). p. 57</ref> and also with [[Masoud Barzani]]'s [[Kurdistan Democratic Party]] (KDP) in Iraqi Kurdistan<ref>Marcus, Aliza (2012). p. 70</ref> which would facilitate their activities.

In a second phase, which followed the return of civilian rule in 1983, escalating attacks were made on the government's military and vital institutions all over the country. The objective was to destabilize the Turkish authority through a long, low-intensity confrontation. The establishment of the Kurdistan Liberation Force (''Hêzên Rizgariya Kurdistan'' – HRK) was announced on 15 August 1984.<ref name=":1">{{cite book |last1=White |first1=Paul |title=The PKK |date=2015 |publisher=Zed Books |isbn=978-1783600373 |location=London |page=20}}</ref> From 1984, the PKK became a paramilitary group with training camps in [[Turkish Kurdistan]], [[Iraqi Kurdistan]], Syria, Lebanon and France. The PKK received significant support from the Syrian government, which allowed it to maintain headquarters in Damascus, as well as some support from the governments of Iran, Iraq, and Libya. It began to launch attacks and bombings against Turkish governmental installations, the military, and various institutions of the state. The organization focused on attacks against Turkish military targets, although civilian targets were also hit.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shaikh |first=Thair |date=23 May 2007 |title=PKK suicide bomb attack in Ankara |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/kurds-implicated-in-ankara-bomb-attack-449986.html |access-date=17 July 2011 |work=The Independent |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Paris'te Sabah'a PKK Saldırısı |url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2011/06/22/pariste-sabaha-pkk-saldirisi |access-date=17 July 2011 |newspaper=Sabah}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Satana |first1=N. S. |date=10 June 2017 |title=The Kurdish Issue in June 2011 Elections: Continuity or Change in Turkey's Democratization?: Turkish Studies: Vol 13, No 2 |journal=Turkish Studies |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=169–189 |doi=10.1080/14683849.2012.686575 |s2cid=55920795 |hdl-access=free |hdl=11693/21264}}</ref>

In addition to skirmishing with Turkish military, police forces and local [[Village guard system|village guards]], the PKK has conducted bomb attacks on government and police installations.<ref>Matovic, Violeta, ''Suicide Bombers Who's Next'', Belgrade, The National Counter-Terrorism Committee, {{ISBN|978-8690830923}}</ref> [[Kidnapping]] and assassination against government and military officials and Kurdish tribal leaders who were named as puppets of the state were performed as well. Widespread acts of [[sabotage]] were continued from the first stage. Turkish sources had also stated that the PKK carried out kidnappings of tourists, primarily in [[Istanbul]], but also at different resorts. However, the PKK had in its history arrested 4 tourists and released them all after warning them to not enter the war zone. The vast majority of PKK's actions have taken place mainly in Turkey against the Turkish military, although it has on occasions co-operated with other Kurdish nationalist paramilitary groups in neighboring states, such as Iraq and Iran.<ref name="Cordesman1999">{{cite book |author=Cordesman, Anthony H. |url=https://archive.org/details/iraqwarofsanctio00cord |title=Iraq and the War of Sanctions: Conventional Threats and Weapons of Mass Destruction |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |year=1999 |isbn=0275965287}}</ref> The PKK has also attacked Turkish diplomatic and commercial facilities across Western Europe in the late 1980s. In effect, the Turkish state has led a series of [[counter-insurgency]] operations against the PKK, accompanied by political measures, starting with an explicit denunciation of separatism in the [[Constitution of Turkey|1982 Constitution]], and including proclamation of the [[state of emergency]] in various PKK-controlled territories starting in 1983 (when the military relinquished political control to the civilians). This series of administrative reforms against terrorism included in 1985 the creation of [[village guard system]] by the then prime minister [[Turgut Özal]]. The establishment of the Village Guards resulted into a change of policy by the PKK, who reorganized its military wing at the 3rd party congress in October 1986 and made the joining of its military wing the Kurdistan People's Liberation Force compulsory.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gunes |first=Cengiz |title=The Kurdish National Movement in Turkey: From Protest to Resistance |date=2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-136-58798-6 |pages=104–105 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 1990s ===
From the mid-1990s, the organization began to lose [[History of the Kurdistan Workers' Party#Paramilitary II (1993–1995)|the upper hand in its operations]] as a consequence of a change of tactics by Turkey and Syria's steady abandonment of support for the group. The group also had lost its support from [[Saddam Hussein]].<ref>{{cite web |title=After Saddam Hussein – 92.12 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/unbound/flashbks/kurds/mylroie.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190118211814/https://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/unbound/flashbks/kurds/mylroie.htm |archive-date=18 January 2019 |access-date=27 December 2018 |website=The Atlantic}}</ref> As during the international operation Poised Hammer the collaboration between Barzani and Turkey embittered, the situation for the PKK became even more difficult, with Barzani condemning terrorist attacks by the PKK during a Newroz festival.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Gunter |first=Michael M. |author-link=Michael Gunter |date=1993 |title=A de facto Kurdish State in Northern Iraq |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/3992569 |journal=Third World Quarterly |volume=14 |issue=2 |page=303 |doi=10.1080/01436599308420326 |issn=0143-6597 |jstor=3992569}}</ref> At the same time, the Turkish government started to use more violent methods to counter Kurdish militants. After in 1992 a high-profile Turkish Delegation visited Damascus, the Syrian Government seemed to have ordered the closure of the PKK camp in the Bekaa valley and told the PKK to keep a low profile for some time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=van Bruinessen |first=Martin |date=25 February 2009 |title=Turkey, Europe and the Kurds after the capture of Abdullah Öcalan |url=http://www.let.uu.nl/~martin.vanbruinessen/personal/publications/Kurds_after_capture_Ocalan.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225152612/http://www.let.uu.nl/~martin.vanbruinessen/personal/publications/Kurds_after_capture_Ocalan.pdf |archive-date=25 February 2009 |access-date=9 May 2023 |page=3}}</ref>

In March 1993 Öcalan, in presence of PUK leader [[Jalal Talabani]] declared a [[1993 Kurdistan Workers' Party ceasefire|unilateral ceasefire]] for a month in order to facilitate peace negotiations with Turkey. At an other press conference which took place on 16 April 1993 in [[Barelias|Bar Elias]], Lebanon, the ceasefire was prolonged indefinitely. To this event, the Kurdish politicians Jamal Talabani, [[Ahmet Türk]] from the [[People's Labor Party]] (HEP)  and also [[Kemal Burkay]] also attended and declared their support for the ceasefire.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Özcan |first=Ali Kemal |title=Turkey's Kurds: A Theoretical Analysis of the PKK and Abdullah Ocalan |publisher=Routledge |year=2006 |isbn=978-0415366878 |page=205 |language=en}}</ref> The ceasefire ended after the Turkish army killed 13 PKK members in [[Kulp, Turkey|Kulp]], [[Diyarbakır Province|Diyarbakir province]] in May 1993.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gunes |first=Cengiz |title=The Kurdish National Movement in Turkey: From Protest to Resistance |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |isbn=978-1136587986 |page=133 |language=en}}</ref>

The fighting and violence augmented significantly following the [[1993 Turkish presidential election|presidential elections of June 1993]] after which [[Tansu Çiller]] was elected prime minister.<ref name=":3">Gunes, Cengiz (2013), p. 134</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Randal |first=Jonathan C. |title=After Such Knowledge, what Forgiveness?: My Encounters with Kurdistan |date=1997 |publisher=Farrar, Straus and Giroux |isbn=978-0374102005 |pages=302–303 |language=en}}</ref> In December 1995 the PKK announced another unilateral ceasefire to give a new Government an opportunity to articulate a more peaceful approach towards the conflict. The government elected in December 1995 did not initiate negotiations and kept on evacuating Kurdish populated villages. Despite the violent approach of the Government to the ceasefire, it was upheld by the PKK until August 1996.<ref name=":3" /> Turkey was involved in serious human rights violations during the 1990s.

From 1996 to 1999, the organization began to use suicide bombers, VBIED, and ambush attacks against military and police bases. The role of suicide bombers, especially female ones were encouraged and mythologised by giving them the status of a "goddess of freedom", and shown as role models for other women after their death. On 30 July 1996, [[Zeynep Kınacı]], a female PKK fighter, carried out the organization's first suicide attack, killing 8 soldiers and injuring 29 others. The attacks against the civilians, especially the Kurdish citizens who refused to cooperate with them were also reported at the same years. On 20 January 1999, a report published by [[Human Rights Watch|HRW]], stated that the PKK was reported to have been responsible for more than 768 executions. The organization had also reportedly committed 25 massacres, killing more than 300 people. More than a hundred victims were children and women.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web |date=20 January 1999 |title=Rights Group Decries Missed Opportunity to Prosecute PKK Leader |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/1999/01/20/rights-group-decries-missed-opportunity-prosecute-pkk-leader |access-date=27 December 2018 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref><ref name="pape-2005">{{cite book |last1=Pape |first1=Robert |url=https://archive.org/details/dyingtowinstrate00pape |title=Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism |date=2005 |publisher=Random House |isbn=1588364607 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="alakoc-2007">{{cite book |last1=Alakoc |first1=Burcu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_IcZUMS_Y2kC&pg=PA4 |title=The Motivations of Female Suicide Bombers from a Communication Perspective |date=2007 |isbn=978-0549422532 |page=4}}{{Dead link|date=February 2023|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gunes |first1=Cengiz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oVT7AAAAQBAJ&q=zilan+suicide+attack&pg=PT118 |title=The Kurdish Question in Turkey: New Perspectives on Violence, Representation and Reconciliation |last2=Zeydanlioglu |first2=Welat |publisher=Routledge |year=2013 |isbn=978-1135140717 |access-date=27 December 2018 |via=Google Books}}</ref>{{excessive citations inline|date=October 2024}}

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, in an effort to win increased support from the Kurdish peasantry, the PKK altered its leftist secular ideology to better accommodate and accept Islamic beliefs. The group also abandoned its previous strategy of attacking Kurdish and Turkish civilians who were against them, focusing instead on government and military targets.<ref name="miptpkkmain">{{cite web |title=Group Profile: Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) |url=http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=63 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109074852/http://www.tkb.org/Group.jsp?groupID=63 |archive-date=9 January 2008 |access-date=17 April 2007 |work=[[MIPT Terrorism Knowledge Base]]}}</ref> In its campaign, the organization has been criticized of carrying out atrocities against both Turkish and Kurdish civilians and its actions have been criticised by human rights groups such as [[Amnesty International]]<ref>{{cite web |title=No Security Without Human Rights |url=http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6a9ea0.html |access-date=26 September 2017 |publisher=Amnesty International}}</ref> and [[Human Rights Watch]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Turkey and War in Iraq: Avoiding Past Patterns of Violation |url=https://www.hrw.org/legacy/backgrounder/eca/turkey/turkey_violations.htm |access-date=26 September 2017 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>  Similar actions of the Turkish state have also been criticized by these same groups. The ECHR has investigated Turkey for executions of Kurdish civilians, torturing, forced displacements and massive arrests.<ref>{{Cite web |last=de Graaf |first=Sophie |date=27 November 2020 |title=Joint statement concerning the killing of Tahir Elçi and lack of effective investigation into his death |url=https://lawyersforlawyers.org/en/joint-statement-concerning-the-killing-of-tahir-elci-and-lack-of-effective-investigation-into-his-death/ |access-date=9 May 2023 |website=Lawyers for Lawyers |language=nl}}</ref> In 1998 Turkey increased the pressure on Syria and ended its support for the PKK.<ref name="antiwar">{{cite news |last=Suri |first=Sanjay |author-link=Sanjay Suri |date=11 May 2005 |title=Torture and Oppression of Kurds in Syria |url=http://www.antiwar.com/ips/suri.php?articleid=5142 |publisher=antiwar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Inside the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) |url=https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/inside-kurdistan-workers-party-pkk |access-date=27 December 2018 |website=Council on Foreign Relations}}</ref><ref>Marcus, Aliza (2012). p. 271</ref> The leader of the organization, Abdullah Öcalan, was captured, [[Trial of Abdullah Öcalan|prosecuted and sentenced to death]], but this was later commuted to life imprisonment as part of the government's seeking [[Accession of Turkey to the European Union|European Union membership]].<ref>[[UNESCO]]. 2002. "[http://portal.unesco.org/es/ev.php-URL_ID=6606&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html Death penalty abolished in Turkey] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629011049/http://portal.unesco.org/es/ev.php-URL_ID%3D6606%26URL_DO%3DDO_TOPIC%26URL_SECTION%3D201.html|date=29 June 2009}}". The new Courier n°1.</ref>

=== 2000s ===
The [[European Court of Human Rights]] has condemned Turkey for human rights abuses during the conflict.<ref name="ETCHR1">{{cite news |title=European Court of Human Rights: Turkey Ranks First in Violations in between 1959–2011 |url=http://bianet.org/english/human-rights/138337-turkey-ranks-first-in-violations-in-between-1959-2011 |access-date=29 December 2015 |work=Bianet}}</ref><ref name="AnnualETCHR">{{cite report |url=http://echr.coe.int/Documents/Annual_Report_2014_ENG.pdf |title=Annual report |date=2014 |issue=The European Court of Human Rights |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> Some judgements are related to executions of Kurdish civilians,<ref name="hum1">{{cite report |url=http://hudoc.echr.coe.int/app/conversion/pdf/?library=ECHR&id=001-128036&filename=001-128036.pdf |title=The European Court of Human Rights: Case of Benzer and others v. Turkey |date=24 March 2014 |page=57 |access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref> torturing,<ref name="tort1">{{cite book |url=http://www.echr.coe.int/LibraryDocs/HR%20handbooks/handbook06_en.pdf |title=The prohibition of torture |date=2003 |pages=11, 13 |access-date=29 December 2015 |issue=Torturing}}</ref> forced displacements,<ref>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/humanrightswatch00huma_0 |title=Human Rights Watch |publisher=Human Rights Watch |year=1998 |isbn=978-1564321909 |page=[https://archive.org/details/humanrightswatch00huma_0/page/7 7] |url-access=registration}}</ref> destroyed villages,<ref>{{cite book |last1=McKiernan |first1=Kevin |url=https://archive.org/details/kurdspeopleinsea00mcki |title=The Kurds: a people in search of their homeland |date=2006 |publisher=St. Martin's Press |isbn=0312325460 |edition=1st |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/kurdspeopleinsea00mcki/page/130 130] |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Neuberger |first1=Benyamin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=caCDBAAAQBAJ |title=Kurdish awakening : nation building in a fragmented homeland |date=2014 |publisher=Univ of Texas Press |isbn=978-0292758131 |editor1-last=Bengio |editor1-first=Ofra |location=[S.l.] |page=27}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Gunes |first1=Cengiz |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UVn7AAAAQBAJ |title=The Kurdish question in Turkey : new perspectives on violence, representation, and reconciliation |last2=Zeydanlioğlu |first2=Welat |date=2014 |publisher=Taylor and Francis |isbn=978-1135140632 |location=Hoboken |page=98}}</ref> [[Arbitrary arrest and detention|arbitrary arrests]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Police arrest and assistance of a lawyer |url=http://www.echr.coe.int/Documents/FS_Police_arrest_ENG.pdf |website=Echr.coe.int}}</ref> murdered and disappeared Kurdish journalists, activists and politicians.<ref>{{cite news |title=Justice Comes from European Court for a Kurdish Journalist |url=http://www.khrp.org/khrp-news/news-archive/2000-news/189-justice-comes-from-european-court-for-a-murdered-kurdish-journalist.html |access-date=1 January 2016 |website=Khrp.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Whitman |first1=Lois |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Pyz9fz6il38C |title=The Kurds of Turkey: killings, disappearances and torture |date=1993 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |isbn=1564320960 |editor1-last=Laber |editor1-first=Jeri |location=New York}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Panico |first1=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TqXjX8ZSH6kC |title=Turkey : violations of free expression in Turkey. |date=1999 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |isbn=1564322262 |location=New York |pages=37–38}}</ref> As a result of increasing Kurdish population and activism, the Turkish parliament began a controlled process of dismantling some anti-Kurdish legislation, using the term "normalization" or "rapprochement", depending on the sides of the issue. It partially relaxed the bans on broadcasting and publishing in the [[Kurdish languages|Kurdish language]], although significant barriers remain.<ref name="Ibrahim2000">{{cite book |author=Ferhad Ibrahim, Gülistan Gürbey |url=https://archive.org/details/kurdishconflicti0000unse |title=The Kurdish Conflict in Turkey: Obstacles and Chances for Peace and Democracy |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |year=2000 |isbn=0312236298 |url-access=registration}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> At the same time, the PKK was blacklisted in many countries. On 2 April 2004, the [[Council of the European Union]] added the PKK to its list of terrorist organizations. Later that year, the [[United States Department of the Treasury|US Treasury]] moved to freeze assets of branches of the organization. The PKK went through a series of changes, and in 2003 it ended the unilateral truce declared when Öcalan was captured.<ref>{{cite news |date=2 September 2003 |title=Kurdish rebels abandon truce |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3200907.stm |access-date=1 September 2007 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>

==== Cease fire 1999–2004 ====
The third phase (1999–2012), after the capture of Öcalan, PKK reorganized itself and new leaders were chosen by its members. The organization made radical changes to survive, such as changing its ideology and setting new goals. During the 7th Party congress in January 2000, the former military wing the Peoples Liberation Army of Kurdistan (''Artêşa Rizgariya Gelê Kurdistan'' – ARGK) was succeeded by the People's Defense Forces (''[[People's Defence Forces|Hêzên Parastina Gel]] –''  HPG) and also declared that it wanted to aim for a democratic solution for the conflict.<ref name=":2">{{cite book |last1=White |first1=Paul |title=The PKK |date=2015 |publisher=Zed Books |isbn=978-1783600373 |location=London |page=19}}</ref> At the same time, the PKK continued to recruit new members and sustain its fighting force.

According to Paul White, in April 2002, the PKK changed its name to the ''Kurdistan Freedom and Democracy Congress (KADEK)'' and proclaimed a commitment to nonviolent activities.<ref name=":2" /> A PKK/KADEK spokesman stated that its armed wing, the HPG, would not disband or surrender its weapons for reasons of self-defense. This statement by the PKK/KADEK avowing it would not lay down its arms underscores that the organization maintained its capability to carry out armed operations. PKK/KADEK established a new ruling council in April, its membership virtually identical to the PKK's Presidential Council. The PKK/KADEK did not conduct an armed attack in 2002; however, the group periodically issued veiled threats that it will resume violence if the conditions of its imprisoned leader are not improved and its forces are attacked by Turkish military, and it continued its military training like before.

In November 2003, another congress was held which lead to renaming itself as the ''People's Congress of Kurdistan'' or ''Kongra-Gel (KGK)''. The stated purpose of the organizational change was to leave behind nationalistic and state-building goals, in favor of creating a political structure to work within the existing nation-states.<ref name="PKK in the 2000s p149">{{cite book |last1=Akkaya |first1=Ahmet Hamdi |title=Nationalisms and Politics in Turkey: Political Islam, Kemalism and the Kurdish Issue |last2=Jongerden |first2=Joost |date=2010 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1136938672 |editor1-last=Casier |editor1-first=Marlies |page=149 |chapter=The PKK in the 2000s: Continuity through Breaks? |editor2-last=Jongerden |editor2-first=Joost}}</ref> Through further internal conflict during this period, it is reported that 1500 militants left the organization,<ref name="PKK in the 2000s p149" /> along with many of the leading reformists, including [[Nizamettin Taş]] and [[Abdullah Öcalan]]'s younger brother [[Osman Öcalan]].<ref name="Cemil Bayik">{{Cite web |last=Uslu |first=Emrullah |date=20 May 2008 |title=Leading PKK Commander Cemil Bayik Crosses into Iran |url=https://jamestown.org/program/leading-pkk-commander-cemil-bayik-crosses-into-iran/ |access-date=16 March 2021 |website=Jamestown |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Second insurgency 2004–2006 ====
Kongra-Gel called off the cease-fire at the start of June 2004, saying Turkish security forces had refused to respect the truce. Turkish security forces were increasingly involved in clashes with Kurdish separatist fighters. Ankara stated that about 2,000 Kurdish fighters had crossed into Turkey from hideouts in mountainous northern Iraq in early June 2004.

While the fight against the Turkish security forces between 2004 and 2010 continued, the PKK and its ancillary organizations continued to enjoy substantial support among the Kurds of Turkey. In 2005, the original name of the organization ''PKK'' was restored, while the Kongra-Gel became the legislature of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK).<ref>[http://www.kurdishaspect.com/doc042910ZA.html Zübeyir Aydar: 'Military operations are going to begin'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110103184948/http://kurdishaspect.com/doc042910ZA.html|date=3 January 2011}}; Interview in English dated 29 April 2010. In this interview Zübeyir Aydar stated: "''KCK has an assembly. This assembly is Kongra-Gel. Furthermore, within Kongra-Gel there's an elected executive council... The PKK is a limited segment within the movement which is given the name KCK. Abdullah Öcalan takes the highest position. After that there's the Assembly, and following that the Executive Council. The chairman of the 31-member Executive Council is Murat Karayılan''."</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Gunter. |first1=Michael M. |title=Kongra-Gel |url=http://kurds_history.enacademic.com/300/Kongra-Gel |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171002223146/http://kurds_history.enacademic.com/300/Kongra-Gel |archive-date=2 October 2017 |access-date=23 May 2019 |website=Historical Dictionary of the Kurds |publisher=Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias}}</ref> Turkey's struggle against the Kongra-Gel/PKK was marked by increased clashes across Turkey in 2005. In the southeast, Turkish security forces were active in the struggle against the Kongra-Gel/PKK. There were bombings and attempted bombings in resort areas in western Turkey and Istanbul, some of which resulted in civilian casualties. A radical Kurdish separatist group calling itself the [[Kurdistan Freedom Hawks|Kurdish Freedom Hawks (TAK)]] claimed responsibility for many of these attacks. The TAK is a rival to PKK that since 2006 repeatedly damaged the PKK's efforts to negotiate cease-fires and unlike the PKK, is seeking to establish independent Kurdistan.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brandon |first1=James |title=The Kurdistan Freedom Falcons Emerges as a Rival to the PKK |url=http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=936#.Vuqn8-LhDn4 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225075250/http://www.jamestown.org/single/?no_cache=1&tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=936#.Vuqn8-LhDn4 |archive-date=25 December 2010 |access-date=17 March 2016 |website=The Jamestown foundation}}</ref> In 2006 alone, the PKK claimed over 500 victims. On 1 October 2006, the PKK reportedly declared a unilateral cease-fire<ref>{{cite book |last=White |first=Paul |title=The PKK: Coming Down from the Mountains |publisher=Zed Books Ltd. |year=2015 |isbn=978-1783600403 |page=47 |language=en}}</ref> that slowed the intensity and pace of its attacks, but attacks continued in response to Turkish security forces significant counterinsurgency operations, especially in the southeast.

==== Cease-fire and renewed conflict ====
On 13 April 2009, the [[2009–2010 Kurdistan Workers' Party ceasefire|PKK declared a cease fire]] after the DTP won 99 municipalities and negotiations were spoken about. The AKP first spoke of the [[Democratic initiative#Kurdish initiative|"Kurdish Opening"]], then it was renamed in the "Democratic Opening" to appease nationalist interests and then the "National Unity Project".<ref>{{cite book |last=White |first=Doctor Paul |title=The PKK: Coming Down from the Mountains |publisher=Zed Books Ltd. |year=2015 |isbn=978-1783600403 |pages=50–51 |language=en}}</ref>

On 21 October 2011 Iranian foreign minister [[Ali Akbar Salehi]] announced Iran would co-operate with Turkey in some military operations against the PKK.<ref>{{cite web |date=20 October 2011 |title=Turkey, Iran to Cooperate Against Kurdish Rebels |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-iran-to-cooperate-against-kurdish-rebels-132316303/170915.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131194726/http://www.voanews.com/english/news/europe/Turkey-Iran-to-Cooperate-Against-Kurdish-Rebels-132316303.html |archive-date=31 January 2012 |access-date=10 December 2012 |publisher=Voice of America}}</ref>

2012 was the most violent year in the armed conflict between the Turkish State and PKK since 1999. At least 541 individuals lost their lives as a result of the clashes including 316 militants and 282 soldiers. In contrast, 152 individuals lost their lives in 2009 until the Turkish government initiated negotiations with the PKK leadership.<ref>Güneş Murat Tezcür,"[http://www.luc.edu/faculty/gtezcur/files/TezcurInsightTurkey.pdf Prospects for Resolution of the Kurdish Question: A Realist Perspective], {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016083217/http://www.luc.edu/faculty/gtezcur/files/TezcurInsightTurkey.pdf|date=16 October 2013}}" Insight Turkey 15 (Spring 2013): 69–84.</ref> The failure of this negotiations contributed to violence that were particularly intensified in 2012. The PKK encouraged by the rising power of the Syrian Kurds increased its attacks in the same year.

During the [[Syrian Civil War]], the Kurds in Syria have established control over their own region with the help of the PKK as well as with support from the Kurdistan Regional Government in [[Erbil]], under President Masoud Barzani.<ref name="Kurd-Shiite-Sunni-Split">{{cite web |last=Salem |first=Paul |date=29 November 2012 |title=Insight: Iraq's Tensions Heightened by Syria Conflict |url=http://middleeastvoices.voanews.com/2012/11/insight-iraqs-tensions-heightened-by-syria-conflict-96791/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130619200757/http://middleeastvoices.voanews.com/2012/11/insight-iraqs-tensions-heightened-by-syria-conflict-96791/ |archive-date=19 June 2013 |access-date=3 November 2012 |publisher=Middle East Voices}}</ref>

=== 2010s–2020s ===

==== 2013–2015 peace process ====
{{main|Kurdish–Turkish peace process}}
In late 2012, the Turkish government began secret talks with Öcalan for a [[2013–2015 PKK–Turkey peace process|ceasefire]].<ref name="Peace">{{cite news |date=9 May 2013 |title=Peace at the end of a long PKK struggle? |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/insidestory/2013/05/20135985316524633.html |access-date=10 May 2013 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> To facilitate talks, government officials transmitted letters between Öcalan in jail to PKK leaders in northern Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planned PKK pullout heats up Turkey politics |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/05/201357182319457288.html |access-date=25 June 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Uras |first=Umut |date=8 May 2013 |title=Turkey's pullout politics |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2013/5/8/planned-pkk-pullout-heats-up-turkey-politics |access-date=13 June 2021 |website=www.aljazeera.com |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> On 21 March 2013, a ceasefire was announced.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Letsch |first=Constanze |date=7 May 2013 |title=Kurds dare to hope as PKK fighters' ceasefire with Turkey takes hold |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/07/kurds-pkk-turkey-peace-talks |access-date=13 June 2021 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> On 25 April, it was announced that the PKK would leave Turkey. Commander [[Murat Karayılan]] remarked "As part of ongoing preparations, the withdrawal will begin on May 8, 2013. Our forces will use their right to retaliate in the event of an attack, operation or bombing against our withdrawing guerrilla forces and the withdrawal will immediately stop."<ref>{{cite web |title=PKK sets date for withdrawal from Turkey |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/04/201342513922579836.html |access-date=13 June 2021 |website=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> The semi-autonomous Kurdish region of Iraq welcomed the idea of refugees from its northern neighbor.<ref name="Baghdad">{{cite news |date=9 May 2013 |title=Baghdad opposes PKK armed groups in Iraq |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/05/201359133815629930.html |access-date=10 May 2013 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> The BDP held meetings across the region to state the pending withdrawal to concerned citizens. "The 8th of May is a day we both anticipate and fear," said party leader Pinar Yilmaz. "We don't trust the government at all. Many people here are afraid that once the guerrillas are gone, the Turkish military will crack down on us again."<ref name="dare">{{cite news |last=Letsch |first=Constanze |date=7 May 2013 |title=Kurds dare to hope as PKK fighters' ceasefire with Turkey takes hold |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/07/kurds-pkk-turkey-peace-talks |access-date=10 May 2013 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref>

The withdrawal began as planned with groups of fighters crossing the border from southeastern Turkey to northern Iraq.<ref name="Peace" /> Iraqi leadership in Baghdad, however, declared that it would not accept armed groups into its territory. "The Iraqi government welcomes any political and peaceful settlement", read an official statement. "[But] it does not accept the entry of armed groups to its territories that can be used to harm Iraq's security and stability."<ref name="Baghdad" /> The prospect of armed Kurdish forces in northern Iraq threatens to increase tensions between the region and Baghdad who are already at odds over certain oil producing territory. PKK spokesman Ahmet Deniz sought to ease concerns stating the plan would boost democracy. "The [peace] process is not aimed against anyone," he said "and there is no need for concerns that the struggle will take on another format and pose a threat to others."<ref name="Baghdad" />

It is estimated that between 1,500 and 2,000 PKK fighters resided in Turkey at the time.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}} The withdrawal process was expected to take several months even if Iraq does not intervene to try to stop it.<ref name="Baghdad" /> On 14 May 2013, the first groups of 13 male and female fighters entered Iraq's Heror area near the Metina mountain after leaving Turkey. They carried with them Kalashnikov assault rifles, light machine guns and rocket-propelled grenade launchers before a welcoming ceremony.<ref>[http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/20135147251149191.html PKK fighters arrive in Iraq under peace deal – Middle East]. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 July 2013.</ref>

On 29 July 2013, the PKK issued an ultimatum in saying that the peace deal would fail if reforms were not begun to be implemented within a month.<ref>{{cite web |title=PKK sets ultimatum for Turkey peace deal – Europe |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/video/europe/2013/07/20137291195529967.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> In October, Cemil Bayik warned that unless Turkey resumed the peace process, the PKK would resume operations to defend itself against it. He also criticized Turkey of waging a proxy war against Kurds during the [[Syrian Civil War]] by supporting other extremist rebels who were [[Rojava conflict|fighting them]].<ref>{{cite web |title=PKK threatens to renew fight in Turkey – Europe |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/10/pkk-threatens-renew-fight-turkey-201310226444407255.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> As part of the civil war, many PKK fighters laid down arms in Turkey and moved to Syria, facilitating the creation of a [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria|progressive Kurdish government in Rojava]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Americans Shouldn't Accept Erdogan's Cynical Stance on the PKK |url=https://www.aei.org/op-eds/americans-shouldnt-accept-erdogans-cynical-stance-on-the-pkk/ |work=American Enterprise Institute – AEI}}</ref>

Iraqi Kurdistan President Masoud Barzani backed the initiative saying, alongside Erdogan: "This is a historic visit for me ... We all know it would have been impossible to speak here 15 or 20 years ago. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has taken a very brave step towards peace. I want my Kurdish and Turkish brothers to support the peace process."<ref>{{cite web |title=Iraq's Kurdistan backs Turkey peace efforts – Middle East |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/11/iraq-kurdistan-backs-turkey-peace-efforts-201311161740245104.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>

==== 2014 action against Islamic State and renewed tensions in Turkey ====
{{main|2014 Kobanî protests}}
[[File:Kurdish_PKK_guerilla.jpg|thumb|220x220px|A Kurdish PKK guerrilla in 2014.]]
The PKK engaged the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) forces in Syria in mid-July 2014<ref>{{cite web |date=15 July 2014 |title=PKK joins battle against Isil |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/region/syria/pkk-joins-battle-against-isil-1.1360183 |access-date=14 August 2014 |work=Gulf News}}</ref> as part of the Syrian Civil War. In August the PKK engaged IS in Northern Iraq and pressured the Government of Turkey to take a stand against IS.<ref>{{cite web |author=Dorian Jones |date=25 July 2014 |title=Turkish Kurds Want Ankara to Declare Stance on ISIL |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkish-kurds-want-ankara-to-declare-stance-on-isil/1965256.html |access-date=14 August 2014 |publisher=Voice of America}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=13 September 2011 |title=Forming the anti-ISIL Front – VERDA ÖZER |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/forming-the-anti-isil-front.aspx?PageID=238&NID=70169&NewsCatID=466 |access-date=14 August 2014 |work=Hürriyet Daily News}}</ref> PKK forces helped tens of thousands of [[Yazidis]] escape an encircled [[Sinjar Mountains|Mount Sinjar]].<ref>{{cite web |author=Joe Parkinson |date=18 August 2014 |title=Iraq Crisis: Kurds Push to Take Mosul Dam as U.S. Gains Controversial Guerrilla Ally |url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/kurds-with-u-s-aid-push-to-take-mosul-dam-1408322338 |access-date=21 August 2014 |work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In September 2014, during the [[Siege of Kobanî]], some PKK fighters engaged with [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant|Islamic State]] forces in Syria who were attacking Kurdish city Kobane, which resulted in conflicts with Turks on the border and an end to a cease-fire that had been in place over a year.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurdish militants claim deadly ambush in Turkey's southeast |url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-militants-claim-deadly-ambush-turkeys-southeast-1343877279#comment-1276 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141111215037/http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/kurdish-militants-claim-deadly-ambush-turkeys-southeast-1343877279#comment-1276 |archive-date=11 November 2014 |access-date=25 June 2015 |work=Middle East Eye}}</ref> The PKK said Turkey was supporting ISIS. The PKK participated in many offensives against ISIS in Iraq and Syria.<ref name="AJA-6-2015">{{cite news |date=11 June 2015 |title=Exclusive: Inside the PKK's front-line fight against ISIL |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/watch/shows/america-tonight/articles/2015/6/11/isis-pkk-sinjar.html |access-date=11 June 2015 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref>
[[File:Kurdish_newroz.jpg|thumb|Mass demonstration for the PKK and freedom of [[Abdullah Ocalan]] in the Turkish city of [[Van, Turkey|Van]] during [[Newroz]]]]
A number of Turkish Kurds rallied in large-scale street protests, demanding that the government in Ankara take more forceful action to combat IS and to enable Kurdish militants already engaged against IS to more freely move and resupply. These protests included a PKK call for its supporters to turn out.<ref>{{cite news |date=7 October 2014 |title=Kurds protest against Turkey as IS advances on Kobane |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29518448 |access-date=14 October 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref> Clashes between police and protesters killed at least 31 people. The Turkish government continued to restrict PKK-associated fighters' movement across its borders, arresting 260 [[People's Protection Units]] fighters who were moving back into Turkey. On 14 October, Turkish Air Force fighter-bombers attacked PKK positions in the vicinity of Daglica, Hakkari Province.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 October 2014 |title=Turkish jets bomb Kurdish PKK rebels near Iraq |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29611582 |access-date=14 October 2014 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

Turkish military statements stated that the bombings were in response to PKK attacks on a Turkish military outpost in the area. The Firat news agency, which Al Jazeera describes as "close to the PKK", stated that Turkish forces had been shelling the PKK positions for days beforehand and that the PKK action had itself been retaliation for those artillery strikes.<ref>{{cite news |date=14 October 2014 |title=Turkey bombs Kurdish PKK targets in south |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/10/turkish-jets-bomb-pkk-targets-southeast-2014101492853176434.html |access-date=14 October 2014 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> The PKK had already reported several Turkish attacks against their troops months before Turkish bombing started.

==== July 2015 – March 2025: Third insurgency ====
{{main|Timeline of the Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency (2015–2025)}}
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = vertical
| header            = YBS and PKK guerrillas
| width             = 200
| image1            = Yezidi YBŞ Fighters (37813092875).jpg
| alt1              = 
| image2            = Kurdish_PKK_Guerillas_(11945682954).jpg
| footer            = [[YBŞ]] and PKK guerillas in [[Northern Kurdistan|Northern]] and [[Southern Kurdistan]] in 2017
}}
In the months before the parliamentary election of 2015, as the "Kurdish-focused" HDP's likelihood of crossing the 10% threshold for entry into the government seemed more likely, Erdogan gave speeches and made comments that repudiated the settlement process and the existence of a Kurdish problem and refusing to recognize the HDP as having any role to play despite their long participation as intermediaries.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tastekin |first=Fehim |date=6 May 2015 |title=Will Erdogan's backtracking torpedo PKK disarmament? – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/05/turkey-kurds-pkk-no-farewell-to-arms.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303085346/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/05/turkey-kurds-pkk-no-farewell-to-arms.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |work=[[Al-Monitor]]}}</ref> These announcements increased distrust of the government's good faith among Kurdish leaders. In July 2015, Turkey finally became involved in the war against ISIL. While they were doing so, they decided to bomb PKK targets in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 July 2015 |title=Turkey, US to create 'ISIL-free zone' inside Syria – DIPLOMACY |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-us-to-create-isil-free-zone-inside-syria.aspx?pageID=238&nID=85906&NewsCatID=510 |website=Hurriyetdailynews.com}}</ref> The bombings came a few days after PKK was suspected of assassinating two Turkish police officers in [[Ceylanpınar]], [[Urfa|Şanlıurfa]], criticized by the PKK of having links with ISIS after the [[2015 Suruç bombing]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Kurdish group claims 'revenge murder' on Turkish police |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/07/kurdish-group-claims-revenge-murder-turkish-police-150722132945249.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |quote=The armed wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has claimed responsibility for killing two Turkish police officers, saying the murders were reprisals for a suicide attack in the border town of Suruc. 'A punitive action was carried out... in revenge for the massacre in Suruc,' the People's Defence Forces (HPG) said in a statement on its website on Wednesday, accusing the two officers of cooperating with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The two police officers were found shot dead at their home in the town of Ceylanpinar on the border with Syria, two days after the Suruc suicide attack that killed 32 people, mostly ethnic Kurds.}}</ref><ref name="capelouto-tuysuz-cnn-2015">{{cite news |last1=Capelouto |first1=Susanna |last2=Tuysuz |first2=Gul |date=25 July 2015 |title=Turkey arrests hundreds of suspected terrorists, Prime Minister says |url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/25/middleeast/turkey-syria-isis-attacks/index.html |work=CNN |quote='We will not stay silent in the face of those who kill our police officers in their sleep,' Davutoglu said, referring to PKK's assassination of two Turkish police officers Wednesday. [...] The statement also referred to the slaying of the two police officers, calling it an act of "retribution" carried out by "local branches" without orders from central PKK command.}}</ref> The PKK has blamed Turkey for breaking the truce by bombing the PKK in 2014 and 2015 continuously.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}}

In August 2015, the PKK announced that they would accept another ceasefire with Turkey only under [[United States|US]] guarantees.<ref>{{cite news |title=PKK urges US to mediate in its war with Turkey and admits to secret talks with Washington |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11806481/PKK-urges-US-to-mediate-in-its-war-with-Turkey-and-admits-to-secret-talks-with-Washington.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11806481/PKK-urges-US-to-mediate-in-its-war-with-Turkey-and-admits-to-secret-talks-with-Washington.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |access-date=1 January 2016 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The leadership of Iraqi Kurdistan has condemned the Turkish airstrikes in its autonomous region in the north of Iraq.<ref>{{cite web |title=Iraq Kurds condemn Turkish airstrikes on PKK – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/contents/afp/2015/07/turkey-syria-attacks-army-iraq-kurds.html |work=Al-Monitor}}{{dead link|date=December 2017|bot=InternetArchiveBot|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref>

The number of casualties since 23 July was stated by Turkish government to be 150 Turkish officers and over 2,000 Kurdish rebels killed (by September).<ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2015 |title=Scores killed in clashes between Turkish forces and Kurdish rebels |url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2015/9/29/scores-killed-in-clashes-between-turkish-forces-and-kurdish-rebels.html |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]}}</ref> In December 2015, Turkish military operation in southeastern Turkey has killed hundreds of civilians, displaced hundreds of thousands and caused massive destruction in residential areas.<ref>{{cite web |date=30 December 2015 |title=Turkey's Campaign Against Kurdish Militants Takes Toll on Civilians |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/world/europe/turkey-kurds-pkk.html?hpw&rref=world&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region&region=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0 |work=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=22 December 2015 |title=Turkey: Mounting Security Operation Deaths |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/12/22/turkey-mounting-security-operation-deaths |work=Human Rights Watch}}</ref>

In March 2016, the PKK helped to launch the [[Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement]] with nine other Kurdish and Turkish revolutionary leftist, socialist and communist groups (including the [[Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist|TKP/ML]], [[Marxist–Leninist Armed Propaganda Unit|THKP-C/MLSPB]], [[Maoist Communist Party (Turkey)|MKP]], [[Communist Labour Party of Turkey/Leninist|TKEP/L]], [[Union of Revolutionary Communists of Turkey|TİKB]], [[Revolutionary Communard Party|DKP]], [[Devrimci Karargâh|DK]] and [[Marxist–Leninist Communist Party (Turkey)|MLKP]]) with the aim of overthrowing the Turkish government of [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]].<ref name="anfenglish.com">{{cite web |date=12 March 2016 |title=Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement established for a joint struggle |url=http://www.anfenglish.com/news/peoples-united-revolutionary-movement-established-for-a-joint-struggle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314061916/http://www.anfenglish.com/news/peoples-united-revolutionary-movement-established-for-a-joint-struggle |archive-date=14 March 2016 |access-date=14 March 2016 |agency=Firat News Agency}}</ref>

In November 2022, an [[2022 Istanbul bombing|explosion]] took place on [[İstiklal Avenue]] in [[Istanbul]]'s [[Beyoğlu]] district that left at least six people dead and 81 injured. [[Ministry of Interior (Turkey)|Minister of Interior]] [[Süleyman Soylu]] formally accused the PKK of being behind the attack and announced the arrest of the bomber who had alleged links to the organization and twenty-one others.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Istanbul Attack: Suspect Arrested After Six People Killed, Govt Says PKK Responsible |url=https://thewire.in/world/istanbul-attack-suspect-arrested-after-six-people-killed-govt-says-pkk-responsible |access-date=15 November 2022 |website=The Wire}}</ref>
[[File:2022_Gaziantep_attack_(1).jpg|right|thumb|The school after the 2022 Gaziantep attack]]
On <span class="anchor" id="2022_Gaziantep_attack">21 November 2022</span>,<ref>{{Cite news |title=21 kasım 2022 gaziantep roket saldırısı |url=https://eksisozluk.com/21-kasim-2022-gaziantep-roket-saldirisi--7474949 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121113319/https://eksisozluk.com/21-kasim-2022-gaziantep-roket-saldirisi--7474949 |archive-date=21 November 2022 |access-date=8 March 2025 |work=ekşi sözlük |language=tr-TR}}</ref> at approximately 11:00 [[Time in Turkey|TSI]], a [[Mortar (weapon)|mortar]] attack targeted a [[school]], two houses, and a truck in the Karkamış district of [[Gaziantep]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=GAZİANTEP KARKAMIŞ'A ROKET SALDIRISI! |url=https://m.haberair.com/default.asp?page=haber&haberid=62848 |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=www.haberair.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'e roket saldırısı: 3 kişi hayatını kaybetti |url=https://www.siyasetcafe.com/gaziantepe-roket-saldirisi-3-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti-96521h.htm}}</ref> The [[assault]] claimed the lives of a 5-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman,<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Soylu: Karkamış'ta 2 kişi öldü, 10 kişi yaralandı |url=https://yetkinreport.com/2022/11/21/gaziantep-valisi-karkamisa-roket-atildi-2-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti/ |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=Yetkin Report |language=tr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'in Karkamış İlçesine Roket Saldırısı |url=https://www.voaturkce.com/a/gaziantepin-karkamisa-roket-saldirisi-3-olu/6843300.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'in Karkamış İlçesine Roket Saldırısı |url=https://www.voaturkce.com/a/gaziantepin-karkamis-ilcesine-roket-saldirisi/6843346.html}}</ref> while 6–10 individuals sustained injuries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep'in Karkamış İlçesine Roket Saldırısı: Bir Çocuk ve Bir Öğretmen Hayatını Kaybetti |url=https://www.voaturkce.com/a/gaziantep-karkamis-ilcesine-roket-saldirisi-bir-cocuk-ve-bir-ogretmen-hayatini-kaybetti/6843675.html |access-date=8 March 2025 |website=www.voaturkce.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=Gaziantep Karkamış'a roket saldırısı: Biri çocuk üç kişi yaşamını yitirdi |url=https://yesilgazete.org/gaziantep-karkamisa-roket-saldirisi-biri-cocuk-uc-kisi-yasamini-yitirdi/amp/}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=21 November 2022 |title=YPG Gaziantep'e roket saldırısı düzenledi: 3 kişi hayatını kaybetti |url=https://www.mepanews.com/ypg-gaziantepe-roket-saldirisi-duzenledi-3-kisi-hayatini-kaybetti-56529h.htm}}</ref>

In October 2024, the PKK claimed responsibility<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kurdistan Workers' Party claims deadly Ankara attack – DW – 10/25/2024 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/kurdistan-workers-party-claims-deadly-ankara-attack/a-70598114 |access-date=27 October 2024 |website=dw.com |language=en}}</ref> for a deadly attack on [[Turkish Aerospace Industries]] (TUSAŞ) headquarters, resulting in 5 deaths, including four civilians, and 22 injuries. Following this attack, the Turkish air force conducted airstrikes targeting positions of the PKK in northern Syria and Iraq. The Turkish defense ministry reported the destruction of 32 targets during these operations.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ruhiyyih Ewing |first=Giselle |date=23 October 2024 |title=Turkey strikes PKK forces in Syria, Iraq after lethal Ankara attack |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-pkk-forces-syria-iraq-ankara-attack/ |access-date=24 October 2024 |website=Politico}}</ref>

In November 2024, British police arrested seven people in London as part of a counter-terrorism investigation linked to the PKK. Searches were carried out at eight locations, including the Kurdish Community Centre, which would be closed for up to two weeks. Authorities assured the public there was no imminent threat and informed the Kurdish community that the operation was aimed at ensuring safety.<ref>{{cite news |date=27 November 2024 |title=UK counter terrorism police arrest seven over 'PKK activity' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-counter-terrorism-police-arrest-six-over-pkk-activity-2024-11-27/ |access-date=28 November 2024 |website=Reuters}}</ref>

==== Disarming and disbanding as part of peace effort ====
In February 2025, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader [[Abdullah Öcalan]] urged all members of the group to lay down arms and dissolve the organisation for good.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Ocalan: Kurdish PKK founder who urged his fighters to disarm |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250227-ocalan-kurdish-pkk-founder-who-urged-his-fighters-to-disarm |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Jailed PKK ringleader Ocalan calls for terror group's dissolution |url=https://www.trtworld.com/turkiye/jailed-pkk-ringleader-ocalan-calls-for-terror-groups-dissolution-18269472 |access-date=27 February 2025 |work=TRT World}}</ref> In a statement read out by the deputies of the pro-Kurdish [[Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party]] (DEM), Öcalan called on the PKK to convene its congress, lay down its arms and dissolve itself, arguing that the party "has completed its life like its counterparts and necessitated its dissolution".<ref>{{cite news |title=Jailed Kurdish leader calls for PKK to disarm – in shift that could shake up Turkey and Middle East |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/feb/27/pkk-leader-calls-on-kurdish-militant-group-to-disarm-signalling-start-of-fragile-peace-with-turkey |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Imprisoned Kurdish leader urges PKK to disarm and disband as part of peace effort with Turkey |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/imprisoned-kurdish-leader-urges-pkk-to-disarm-and-disband-as-part-of-peace-effort-with-turkey/7990140.html |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref> He also called for an alliance between Turks and Kurds and for peaceful coexistence,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ocalan calls for PKK's disbandment, laying arms |url=https://shafaq.com/en/Kurdistan/Ocalan-calls-for-PKK-s-disbandment-laying-arms |access-date=28 February 2025 |work=Shafaq}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=After four decades of conflict, Öcalan urges PKK to lay down arms, disband |url=https://caliber.az/en/post/after-four-decades-of-conflict-ocalan-urges-pkk-to-lay-down-arms-disband |access-date=27 February 2025 |work=Caliber}}</ref> quoting the positive political approaches of President [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] and calls for peace by [[Nationalist Movement Party]] [[Devlet Bahçeli]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=PKK leader Öcalan calls on banned Kurdish group to dissolve |url=https://www.euronews.com/2025/02/27/pkk-leader-abdullah-ocalan-calls-on-kurdish-group-to-lay-down-arms |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=euronews |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ocalan orders the PKK to dissolve in a historic statement |url=https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/ocalan-dissolve-pkk-historic-statement |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=Middle East Eye |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=Ocalan calls for PKK to drop weapons, be dissolved |url=https://www.ctvnews.ca/world/article/ocalan-calls-for-pkk-to-drop-weapons-be-dissolved/ |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=CTVNews |language=en}}</ref>

Between 5–7 May, the PKK's 12th Party Congress convened. The organisation announced its own dissolution on 12 May 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 May 2025 |title=Full text: PKK's statement on disbanding decision |url=https://bianet.org/haber/full-text-pkks-statement-on-disbanding-decision-307344 |access-date=12 May 2025 |website=bianet.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Butler |first1=Daren |last2=Toksabay |first2=Ece |date=12 May 2025 |title=Kurdish PKK disbands and ends 40-year Turkey insurgency |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kurdish-pkk-dissolves-after-decades-struggle-with-turkey-news-agency-close-2025-05-12/ |website=[[Reuters]].}}</ref> The decision was appreciated by Turkish authorities. President Erdoğan characterised it as "important", stating that they have now "crossed another critical threshold" toward the goal of a terror-free Turkey.<ref name="newregion">{{cite web |author=Gashtyar Akram |date=12 May 2025 |title=Reactions pour in from Turkey as PKK announces disbandment |url=https://thenewregion.com/posts/2250/reactions-pour-in-from-turkey-as-pkk-announces-disbandment |accessdate=16 May 2025 |publisher=The New Region}}</ref> Foreign Minister [[Hakan Fidan]] described the PKK's self-dissolution as "a historic and important decision", saying that "practical steps will be taken after this".<ref name="newregion" />