General information
Type of Incompatibility: Territory
Comment on Type of Incompatibility: The PKK originally demanded an independent Kurdish state instead of Kurdish autonomy. This was different from most other Kurdish organisations, such as KDPI in Iran and KDP and PUK in Iraq, which had limited goals of autonomy instead of statehood.
After PKKs leader Abdullah Öcalan was arrested and tried before a Turkish court in 1999 he backed away from PKKs earlier positions. He gave up the idea of a Kurdish state because he no longer saw it necessary and because it would be too difficult to realize and maintain. Although parts of the PKK did not approve of Öcalans revised goals, his position as the leader of the group was still strong enough to make PKKs Presidential Council to, in February 2000, drop the word "Kurdistan" from the names of PKKs military and political wings as a symbol of the abandonment of the goal of an independent state. Whether the change of goal was merely a tactic used by the group in order to be left alone to regroup, or a sincere change of heart, was unclear since the PKK still had a sizeable "Public-defence Force" (the new name of ARGK, the military wing).
Territory: Kurdistan
Date of first stated goal of incompatibility: 1974-12-31
Comment on date of first stated goals of incompatibility: The PKK was founded in 1974 as a Marxist-Leninist group with the goal of establishing an independent and democratic Kurdish state.
Date of first use of armed force: 1983-05-01
Comment on first use of armed force: Three Turkish soldiers were reportedly killed in an ambush by PKK in May 1983.
Date of first battle related death: 1983-05-01
Comment on first battle related death: Three Turkish soldiers were reportedly killed in an ambush by PKK in May 1983.
Date of conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: 1984-08-15
Comment on conflict reached 25 battle releated deaths: On 15 August 1984 PKK raided police outposts in Eruh and Semdinli. From 30 August to 25 October 16 government soldiers were killed in violence perpetrated by Kurdish separatists according to a report that recorded random examples of incidents. It is hence possible that many more were killed on both sides up until 25 October. Because of the lack of information the last day of 1984 is chosen as the date the conflict reached 25 deaths.
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
1983
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1 |
| Best | 1 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1984
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1985
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1986
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1987
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 925 |
| Best | 925 |
| Low | 925 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1988
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 25 |
| Best | 25 |
| Low | 0 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1989
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 442 |
| Best | 442 |
| Low | 442 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1990
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 526 |
| Best | 526 |
| Low | 514 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1991
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 375 |
| Best | 370 |
| Low | 370 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1992
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1680 |
| Best | 1663 |
| Low | 1663 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1993
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 3517 |
| Best | 2309 |
| Low | 2309 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1994
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4268 |
| Best | 4165 |
| Low | 4165 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1995
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4435 |
| Best | 3738 |
| Low | 3731 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1996
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4067 |
| Best | 3974 |
| Low | 3974 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1997
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5124 |
| Best | 3902 |
| Low | 3899 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1998
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2162 |
| Best | 2074 |
| Low | 2074 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
1999
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1440 |
| Best | 1363 |
| Low | 1363 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2000
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 181 |
| Best | 177 |
| Low | 177 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2001
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 201 |
| Best | 186 |
| Low | 186 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2002
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 124 |
| Best | 105 |
| Low | 105 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2003
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 156 |
| Best | 153 |
| Low | 153 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2004
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
Comment on Dimension: Unlike many other Kurdish organisations, the PKK originally demanded an independent Kurdish state instead of Kurdish autonomy. After PKKs leader Abdullah Öcalan was arrested and tried before a Turkish court in 1999 he backed away from PKKs earlier positions. He gave up the idea of a Kurdish state because he no longer found it necessary, and because it would be too difficult to realize and maintain. Although parts of the PKK did not approve of Öcalans revised goals, his position as the leader of the group was still strong enough to make the PKKs Presidential Council drop the word "Kurdistan" from the names of PKKs military and political wings (ARGK and ERNK) in February 2000 as a symbol of the abandonment of the goal of an independent state in February 2000. Whether the change of goal was merely a tactic used by the group in order to buy time to regroup or a sincere change of heart was unclear.
On its 8th Congress, in April 2002, the PKK changed its name by announcing that it had fulfilled its historical mission and that it was now dissolved. At the same time the Congress for Freedom and Democracy in Kurdistan (KADEK) announced its establishment. It was to continue PKKs struggle for the liberation of the Kurds, but, as they claimed, through dialogue and democracy rather than violence. The organisation was however considered too narrow and hierarchic and was dissolved after the summer of 2003. The foundation of a new Kurdish group intended to attract broader support, KONGRA-GEL (Peoples Congress of Kurdistan), was announced on 15 November 2003.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 414 |
| Best | 276 |
| Low | 276 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2005
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
Comment on Dimension: In 1984 the PKK took up arms for Kurdish self-rule in the southeast, ravaging the regions already meager economy and forcing a mass migration into the urban west. Under pressure to come into line with the democratic norms of the European Union it is seeking to join, Turkey has granted its Kurdish minority a measure of cultural freedom, but the rebels say the reforms are insufficient. Ankara has ended 15 years of emergency rule in the southeast and allowed the Kurdish language to be taught at private courses and used in public broadcasts over the past several years.
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 408 |
| Best | 377 |
| Low | 375 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2006
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 400 |
| Best | 349 |
| Low | 349 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2007
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 687 |
| Best | 664 |
| Low | 658 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2008
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1067 |
| Best | 681 |
| Low | 634 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2009
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 232 |
| Best | 219 |
| Low | 214 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2010
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 414 |
| Best | 356 |
| Low | 347 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2011
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 760 |
| Best | 558 |
| Low | 557 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2012
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 866 |
| Best | 853 |
| Low | 853 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2013
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 36 |
| Best | 32 |
| Low | 32 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2014
Primary Parties: -
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 11 |
| Best | 10 |
| Low | 9 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2015
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1398 |
| Best | 906 |
| Low | 901 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2016
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1090 |
| Best | 1074 |
| Low | 1074 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2017
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 785 |
| Best | 767 |
| Low | 767 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2018
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 957 |
| Best | 940 |
| Low | 932 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2019
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 684 |
| Best | 630 |
| Low | 630 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2020
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 446 |
| Best | 431 |
| Low | 428 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2021
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 599 |
| Best | 493 |
| Low | 482 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2022
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 792 |
| Best | 760 |
| Low | 754 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2023
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 515 |
| Best | 394 |
| Low | 394 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2024
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 398 |
| Best | 241 |
| Low | 237 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
2025
Primary Parties: Government of Turkey - PKK
Dimension: Internal
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 90 |
| Best | 55 |
| Low | 52 |
Numbers include fatalities for all dyads both active and inactive for this year
Conflict Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
1983 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
1984 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The PKK launched its first major attacks in August 1984 on government forces in the city of Eruh and Semdinli in the provinces of Hakkari and Siirt. The Turkish government responded with an intensive campaign to round up the Kurdish rebel group, becoming involved in cross-border agreements to this end with neighbouring Iraq and Iran.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1985 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: There were regular reports of clashes between the security forces and Kurdish insurgents in the provinces in south-eastern Turkey during 1985.
The PKK launched hit-and-run attacks on Turkish villages and military garrisons. In May, there was a major clash in Siverek resulting in over 60 deaths. On May 25, Yildirim Akbulut, the Turkish Minister of the Interior, admitted that the Turkish security forces were fighting a limited guerrilla war against Kurdish separatists. In mid-June 1985 it was claimed that Iran had invited Turkish security forces into the Iranian territory to pursue Kurdish rebels active in the border area.
Responding to the increase in PKK attacks, the Turkish government decided to arm villagers to make them able to protect themselves. It recruited "temporary village guards" from clans that were opposed to the PKK. These village guards were targeted by the PKK even more than regular troops.
The Turkish government had also erected a wire mesh fence along its border with Syria, blocking some of PKK access and supply routes.
In turn, PKK formed the ERNK (Eniya Rizgariya Netewa Kurdistan, Kurdistan Popular Liberation Front). The task of this organisation was in particular to gain support among the Kurdish population in order to provide networks for bases, supply routes and to recruit fighters.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1986 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 1986, PKK decided to dissolve the HRK (Hêzên Rizgariya Kurdistan; Kurdistan Freedom Brigades) and replace it with a purely military wing the ARGK (Arteshen Rizgariya Gelli Kurdistan, Peoples Liberation Army of Kurdistan). It also changed the policy of ERNK (Eniya Rizgariya Netewa Kurdistan, Kurdistan Popular Liberation Front), which was to focus on propaganda and recruitment of new members in Turkey and Europe.
Concerning military operations, the commander of the ERNK Masun (Mazlun) Korkmaz was killed by Turkish troops in March 1986. The Turkish government conducted its first raid into Iraq since 1983 in August 1986. The attack retaliated the killing of a dozen government troops in ambush. According to the Turkish Interior Minister, Yildirim Akbulut, around 200 people were killed in the raid.
An increase in Turkish military actions in the near the Iraqi border was reported by Kurdish sources in early September.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: UCDP focuses on the intensity level for most conflicts in the period pre-1989. Dyad years with a minor armed conflict are estimated to have > 25 battle-related deaths.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1987 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Cross-border operations by the Turkish government forces into Iraqi territory continued and there were numerous reports of PKK attacks on civilian and military targets and of clashes with the security forces.
The PKK used large-scale one-sided violence, mostly attacking the families of “village guards”. In March 1987, the Turkish Air Force attacked nine alleged Kurdish guerrilla hideouts in retaliation for the killing of 14 civilians near Uludere in February. Also in March, the Turkish government carried out a major operation along the border with Syria.
The last four provinces under martial law– Hakkari, Mardin, Diyarbakir, and Siirt –were transferred to a state of emergency (martial law under civil authority) in July 1987.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1988 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The PKK started its attacks at the end of March. Starting in May 1988, the Turkish government ordered seek-and-destroy missions based on intelligence information rather than simply reacting to attacks from the PKK.
A state of emergency, declared in 1987, continued in six southeastern provinces facing substantial PKK terrorist violence.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1989 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1990 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1991 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Following the Gulf War Iraqi forces were denied access to northern Iraq by the coalition forces. This, and Saddam Husseins hunt for Iraqi Kurdish groups immediately after the end of the Gulf War, created a power vacuum in northern Iraq which made it possible for Turkey to go after the PKK on Iraqi territory. In the end of 1991, and the beginning of 1992, the Turkish air force conducted several raids on suspected PKK bases in northern Iraq. The Iraqi government complained formally with the UN. The operations were also questioned by international observers and relief workers since many civilians were reportedly killed.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1992 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In late 1991 and early 1992 the Turkish air force conducted several raids on suspected PKK bases in northern Iraq. In the end of 1992 renewed air operations were supported by more than 20 000 troops that entered northern Iraq. These operations were timed to strike the PKK when it was weak. The group had been weakened when it was attacked by Iraqi Kurdish forces earlier in October in an attempt to force the group from Iraq.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1993 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: In March 1993 the PKK announced a unilateral ceasefire. In June the same year, after Turkey had gotten a new President and a new Prime Minister, the PKK broke its ceasefire by declaring war.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1994 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1995 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: During March 1995 35 000 Turkish troops crossed the Iraqi border and attacked PKK bases. The PKK did however manage to withdraw out of the reach of the Turkish forces. Following international pressure Turkey left Iraq. By July another 3000 troops conducted operations across the border, operations that added to the already heavy casualties of the conflict that year.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1996 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1997 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In May 1997, 50 000 Turkish troops crossed the border and attacked the PKK in Iraq.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1998 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Best estimate: 1952, high estimate: 2039, low estimate: 1952.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
1999 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: After PKKs leader Abdullah Öcalan had been captured on 15 February the PKK violently protested the subsequent trial. By April 15 000 Turkish troops entered Iraq temporarily in the hunt for PKK fighters.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Best estimate: 1403, high estimate: 1481, low estimate: 1403.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: During the trial that followed his capture, PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called for a PKK ceasefire and claimed he was willing to negotiate an agreement between the parties if his life was spared. Turkey did not wish to negotiate and the PKK did not abide by his call for a ceasefire.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2000 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: The leadership of PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire in February 2000 and changed its name by removing the controversial word Kurdistan. Turkey did however not respond by engaging in negotiations and instead launched a new offensive.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2001 Conflict Archive
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2002 Conflict Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The low estimate this year was 35 and the high estimate was 100. The figure above is the best estimate.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2003 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The conflict is still on going. Fighting between Kongra-GEL and the Turkish army has dropped off in recent years since the capture of Abdullah Öcalan in 1999, but sporadic battles have erupted as Kongra-GEL fighters slip back across the border with northern Iraq after the U.S.-led war there.
Turkey has enacted partial amnesty to encourage Kongra-GEL rebels to surrender arms and to end an armed campaign for a Kurdish homeland. Turkey has also, as part of a drive to win membership of the European Union, adopted reforms to bolster the cultural rights of its Kurdish population but has yet to fully implement them. Kongra-GEL ended a unilateral four year ceasefire on 1 September as a way to protest against what they claim to be the government failure to grant Kurds greater political and cultural rights.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2004 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The fighting between the Kurdish rebels and Turkeys military largely died down after the rebels declared a ceasefire in 1999, following the capture of guerrilla leader Abdullah Öcalan, but there has been a recent increase in fighting, primarily in the region bordering Iran. KONGRA-GEL said on 1 June that the ceasefire it has observed since September 1999 had become meaningless because of what it called "annihilation operations" by Turkish security forces against its fighters in the past three months. There has been a recent increase in fighting, resulting in 166 battle-related deaths in the year 2004.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Best and low estimate: 180; high Estimate: 322
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2005 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The violence largely subsided after the 1999 capture of rebel leader Abdullah Ocalan, who is now serving a life prison sentence. But clashes sharply increased again after the PKK called off a unilateral five-year ceasefire in June 2004. There has been a recent increase in fighting, resulting in 424 battle-related deaths in the year 2005.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low estimate: 324
Best estimate: 330
High estimate: 611"
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: The PKK called on 18 August on its armed wing to refrain from violence for a month from 20 August, after Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan made a trip to the troubled southeast during which he said his government wanted more reforms for the Kurds.
The appeal of the Democratic Society Movement (DTH), a formation which groups Turkeys most prominent Kurdish political figures and is soon expected to formally become a party, came in the eve of a news conference by the rebels in Brussels.
"It is an urgent, vital and general expectation from the PKK... to take as soon as possible a decision for a ceasefire, without conditions and time limits, in order to ensure a democratic ground for discussing the (Kurdish) problem, free from a climate of violence," the statement said.
The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) rebels extended it til 3 October, the day Ankara won EU approval to start accession negotiations. Turkeys government and armed forces ignored the call. The PKKs ceasefire appeared to be an effort to get their case onto the political agenda during sensitive negotiations leading up to Turkeys 3 October date for the start of entry talks with the EU.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2006 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Clashes between the Turkish government and the PKK continued in 2006, albeit at a relatively low level. The bulk of fighting took place in the PKK stronghold areas of south-eastern Turkey. The PKK called a unilateral ceasefire in late September, but it was quickly rebuffed by the Turkish army, which stated that it would not change its stance against the PKK, and clashes continued throughout fall and winter. PKK forces to an extent used northern Iraq as a staging point for their incursions into Turkey, prompting Turkish authorities to grumble about Iraq and US ignoring this threat against the country. In September the US, Iraq and Turkey set up a working group to deal with the issue of PKK fighters operating out of northern Iraq, with the US stating that it would be unwise to intervene militarily in the relatively stable northern Iraqi provinces.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low and best estimate: 210.
High estimate: 274"
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no negotiations between the primary parties in 2006.
Third party involvement: NO
Third party involvement names: .
Comment on Third Party Involvement: The US and Iraq were, during 2006, involved in a number of talks with the Turkish government regarding PKK bases of operations in northern Iraq, predominately populated by Iraqi Kurds. The US government stated its support for efforts to remove these bases, but were against any Turkish intervention by force into these areas, as it might upset the relatively calm northern region of Iraq.
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2007 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The conflict continued unabated and an increasing number of clashes as well as roadside bombs planted by the PKK resulted in over 450 deaths. The bulk of fighting took place in the PKK stronghold areas of south-eastern Turkey. In October, the Turkish Parliament authorized an attack on PKK headquarters located in northern Iraq and several cross-border air-strikes were launched that continued into 2008. Most casualties were reported in late 2007.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Low and best estimate: 458
High estimate: 509"
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no negotiations between the two sides of the conflict, inspite of several calls for dialogue and negotiations by the PKK. For example, in November 2007 PKK-leader Öcalan stated that he wanted to negotiate with the Turkish government to end the conflict. Abdurrahman Cadirci, a senior leader in the PKK, called upon the Turkish government to present a peace plan the same month.
The Turkish authorities ruled out talks with the rebels, labelling them terrorists and accused the PKK of proposing peace to gain political leverage.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2008 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In late 2007, after an escalation in PKK attacks, the Turkish government stepped up its military action against the PKK, with parliament authorising operations against PKK headquarters in northern Iraq. In 2008, cross-border air-strikes continued, supplemented by ground incursions. On two occasions, in September and December 2008, the PKK announced unilateral ceasefires in connection to Muslim festivities, claiming this reflected their desire to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and calling for negotiations. However, armed clashes as well as the planting of bombs and landmines by the PKK continued throughout the year, and in total the fighting resulted in over 500 deaths. The bulk of the fighting took place in the PKK stronghold areas of southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: "Best estimate: 513, high estimate: 1068, low estimate: 501
In addition to fighting on Turkish territory, the Turkish army during 2008 conducted several cross-border air-strikes and ground incursions against PKK bases in northern Iraq. The number of casualties in these operations are disputed, particularly with regards to one major offensive that was launched in late February, and another in early May. While the Turkish government and US intelligence sources have alleged the operations were successful with a high number of casualties on the PKK side, the rebels - and local officials in the Iraqi Kurdish region - have made contrary claims. As there are no independent figures available, only the own losses admitted by the parties in relation to these operations have been included in the best estimate."
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: There were no negotiations between the parties in 2008, despite some calls for dialogue by the PKK. In September and December 2008, the PKK called brief unilateral ceasefires in connection to Muslim festivities, claiming this reflected their desire to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and calling for negotiations. However, the Turkish government has generally refused to negotiate with the PKK, whom they regard as terrorists.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2009 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: As of 2009 the armed conflict is still ongoing after 25 years of fighting and many thousand fatalities. However, signs of rapprochement during the year raised hope for a political solution.
In spring 2009, the Turkish President Gul acknowledged the importance of the Kurdish question for Turkey, which had been treated as a mere security issue by most Turkish politicians before. In June, Prime Minister Erdogan met with a delegation of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) for the first time and announced that the government would grant Turkish Kurds more cultural and political rights. In the reform package, which was presented to the Turkish Parliament in November, Kurdish language rights were gradually expanded to broadcast Kurdish radio and television programs and to teach the Kurdish language at university for the first time. The reform package also included the creation of an independent body to investigate cases of torture.
At the same time, the Turkish government continued to refuse negotations with PKK and did not allow the imprisoned PKK-leader Öcalan publish his own roadmap for peace. PKK announced unilateral ceasefires in April and September, which were, however, not formally recognised by Ankara. Thus, skirmishes between PKK and the Turkish military continued, albeit on a lower scale. PKK attacks gave rise to domestic opposition to the government peace initiative and in October, the Turkish parliament extended the mandate of the government forces to launch cross-border operations against Kurdish rebels in Iraq.
The peace initiative suffered another set back, when the Constitutional Court banned the Kurdish party DTP (Democratic Society Party) for cooperating with PKK in December. This led to unrest in the Kurdish-populated south-east.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: In June 2009, the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan met with a delegation of the pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) for the first time and announced that the government would grant Turkish Kurds more cultural and political rights. However, the Turkish government continued to refuse to negotiate with the imprisoned PKK leader Öcalan and did not permit him to publish his own peace plan.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2010 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: After over 25 years of fighting and tens of thousands of fatalities, the armed conflict continues unabated. The pattern of violence was similar to that observed in previous years, with relative period of calm in the early months of the year followed by a significant increase in violence during the spring and summer, followed yet again by a period of calm in the latter part of the year. This is mostly due to physical constraints - as most fighting occurs in the mountainous areas at the border of Turkey and Iraq, movement is severely impeded as snow covers most mountain passes PKK use, impeding fighting.
Compared to 2009, the intensity of fighting increased significantly, especially between May 2010 and August 2010. As such, on 29 May 2009, Öcalan, PKKs jailed leader declared any talks with Turkey will be ended, also scrapping (on 3 June 2010) the rarely observed unilateral ceasefire that PKK declared in April 2009. Similarly, the Turkish Security Forces intensified their actions against PKK - with operations taking place not only within Turkey itself, but also inside Iraq. As such, in one such event, on 20 May 2010, Turkish fighter planes attacked the Harkuk camp, one of the main outposts of PKK, killing 121. Further increase in tensions occured after a PKK bombing of a Turkish naval base in Iskenderun on 31 May 2010, causing public outrage, determining the Turkish president to declare, on 19 June 2010, that PKK has to be fought until it is eradicated. Moreover, the government initiated a series of reforms within the Turkish security forces, such as the construction of 150 military outposts in the border areas where PKK operates and creation of a professional army designed to fight PKK and be deployed in areas threatened by violence. Further, much of the so-called Kurdish opening was frozen throughout the summer of 2010. Further, Turkey relied on significant assistance from Iran, Syria and the United States in providing various forms of support in their fight against PKK.
On 13 August 2010, PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire, both following a PKK tradition to do so during the month of Ramadan, but also as a means to pressure the government in the wake of a constitutional referendum scheduled to take place on 12 September 2010. While the ceasefire did not mark an end to hostilities, it did lead to a significant decrease in violence, and was prolonged a number of times, extending to the General Elections of 2011. A further sign of PKK’s intentions to negotiate was made on 31 October 2010, when PKK leaders condemned a suicide attack that wounded 32 civilians in Istanbul. The attack was claimed by the Kurdish Freedom Falcons (TAK), a PKK splinter group.
Further, while the policy of the Government remained to label PKK as a terrorist organisation, refusing to engage in any direct negotiations, information surfaced that at least some contact (through indirect means such as lawyers) existed, especially during and after September 2010. Moreover, PKKs ceasefire was officially noted in November 2010 by both the Abdullah Gül, the president of Turkey and by prime-minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Furthermore, on 3 November 2011, Erdogan declared a scale down of military operation against PKK has commenced. However, this did not lead to a complete cessation of hostilities - incidents of fighting between the Government of Turkey and PKK being noted in December 2010.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The difference between the High and Best numbers in 2010 originates in the varying estimates put forward by different sources. Most of this difference can be accounted through the existence of some inconsistencies between UCDPs event-coded data and summaries of casualties put forward by various Turkish military forces.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: No formal negotiations took place between the Government of Turkey and PKK in 2010.
The policy of the Government remained to label PKK as a terrorist negotiation, refusing to engage in any direct negotiations. However, information surfaced that at least some contact (through indirect means such as lawyers) existed, especially during and after September 2010.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2011 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2011, the decades old conflict between the Government of Turkey and the PKK continued and reached the highest number of battle related deaths since 1999. The year was characterized by some special developments, mainly the Turkish general elections in June and the intense military campaign of Turkey in northern Iraq in the fall, interrupted by a break due to the heavy earthquake in south-eastern Turkey on 23 October.
In the begin of 2011, little pointed for the year to be the bloodiest in over a decade. The ceasefire announced unilaterally by PKK in August 2010, and accepted by Turkey in November 2010, was respected by both sides and signs were positive that Kurdish candidates could campaign freely for the Turkish General elections. The situation changed in March, when the PKK threatened to end the ceasefire originally announced to last until after the elections. Soon after, fighting resumed, and led to the first fatalities of the year on 15 March. In the following weeks, a series of mutual attacks took place according to the usual pattern observed in previous years. Noteworthy is the 04 May attack of the PKK on a police escort of Prime Minister Erdogan during a campaign stop in northern Turkey, killing one police man.
Prime Minister Erdogan emerged as the big winner of the 12 June elections. Further, 36 Kurdish candidates were elected to the parliament, a record high. Yet, just days after the elections, Kurdish MP Hatip Dicle was stripped of his newly won seat by the Higher Electoral Board due to a previously received jail sentence under Turkeys anti-terror law. This decision led to popular protests among the Kurdish minority, threats by the PKK to further escalate violence and a boycott of all other 35 Kurdish MPs who refused to take up their position until Dicle was allowed to take up his seat too.
Over the summer, violence indeed increased and attacks from both sides became more frequent. On 14 July, an attack of the PKK resulted in the death of 13 soldiers and 7 killed PKK fighters, the single most violent incident in years. Further, on 17 August, PKK ambushed a military unit, killing 9. The following day, the Turkish Air Force started bombing PKK positions in south-eastern Turkey and northern Iraq, an operation that went on for the reminder of August and resulted in a total of 145 deaths. In September and October, violence remained at a high level with both sides carrying out major operations in Turkey and in northern Iraq. In mid-October, Turkey intensified its activities even more and, on several occasions, conducted ground operations also on Iraqi territory - a development not observed in the previous years.
Due to the earthquake in the region on 23 October, violence calmed down, and on some occasions even cooperation between the army and the local Kurdish population for rescue missions were reported. After a short break, violence re-occurred on a lower level during November, only to increase again in the second half of December when army operations resulted in the death of dozens of PKK fighters. In the course of these operations, Turkey also bombed and killed 35 civilians crossing from Iraq into Turkey. While Turkey immediately apologized and stated that they were mistaken for PKK fighters, Kurdish officials accused Turkey of deliberately targeting civilians.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The difference between the High and the Best estimates in 2011 mainly stem from different figures regarding the August military operation in northern Iraq.
Negotiations: NO
Comment on Negotiation: No formal negotiations took place between the Government of Turkey and PKK in 2011. The policy of the Government remained to label PKK as a terrorist negotiation, refusing to engage in any direct negotiations.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2012 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The conflict between the Government of Turkey and PKK continued to escalate in 2012, with the highest number of recorded battle-related deaths since the end of the 1990s. The violence was on-going throughout the year, but escalated drastically during the second half of the year. Following increased clashes in August, the Turkish military launched a large-scale offensive in early September in the south-eastern province of Hakkari.
The clear majority of the fighting took place in south-eastern Turkey, but Turkish air force also conducted several attacks against PKK targets in northern Iraq.
In mid-July the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that negotiations could not be held with the PKK prior to disarmament. However, in late September the prime minister indicated a possibility of restarting the talks. In mid-December it was announced that new round of talks were on-going with the jailed PKK-leader, Abdullah Öcalan. The main focus of the talks was stated to be the question of PKK’s disarmament.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The conflict between the Government of Turkey and PKK continued to escalate in 2012, with the highest number of recorded battle-related deaths since the end of the 1990s. The violence was on-going throughout the year, but escalated drastically during the second half of the year.
Negotiations: YES
Comment on Negotiation: In mid-July the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that negotiations could not be held with the PKK prior to a disarmament. However, in late September the prime minister indicated a possibility of restarting the talks. In mid-December it was revealed that new round of talks were on-going with the jailed PKK-leader, Abdullah Öcalan. The main focus of the talks was stated to be the question of PKK’s disarmament.
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2013 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The armed conflict between the Government of Turkey and PKK de-escalated dramatically in 2013 after talks between the Government and PKK leader Öcalan were initiated late 2012. There were isolated clashes in southeastern Turkey during the first two months of the year. However, there was no fatal violence between the warring parties after a ceasefire was announced by Öcalan on 21 March. Talks continued throughout the year and in May 2013 PKK began a withdrawal into northern Iraq of all forces on Turkish soil.
Terminated: YES
Type of termination: Ceasefire
Date of termination: 2013-03-21
Comment on Termination: On 21 March 2013 a ceasefire was announced by Öcalan and in May 2013 PKK began a withdrawal into northern Iraq of all forces on Turkish soil.
2014 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2015 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The fragile ceasefire between the Government of Turkey and the PKK which had been in place since March 2013 was abandoned in late July 2015. This effectively ended the peace process which had been initiated in late 2012. Tensions had been building with the PKK blaming the Government for not preventing Islamic State (IS ) attacks on Kurds in Turkey. Immediately after the IS suicide bomb in Suruc on July 20 which killed 33 – mainly Kurdish – civilians, the conflict quickly escalated to a level not seen since the 1990s. The remainder of the year saw daily attacks by PKK on security forces in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern parts of Turkey. The Government conducted large security operations in the southeast which intensified in the last weeks of the year. Air raids targeting the PKK were launched regularly in southeastern Turkey as well as in the Qandil mountains in northern Iraq. There were heavy casualties on both sides and civilian casualities mounted, particularly in key towns placed under curfew, e.g. Cizre.
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The conflict between the Government of Turkey and PKK, which had been largely inactive since the spring of 2013, escalated dramatically in 2015. The conflict re-erupted in July 2015 and resulted in the highest number of recorded battle-related deaths since the end of the 1990s, despite only being active during the second half of the year.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2016 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
2017 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Since then and throughout 2017 there has been frequent incidents with increased intensity towards the latter half of the year. Most incidents have been in the form of governmental airstrikes targeting PKK in anti-terrorism operations in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern parts of Turkey and in northern Iraq. The large majority of the fatalities have been on the PKK side.
Terminated: NO
2018 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: Since then and throughout 2018 there has been frequent incidents in the form of governmental airstrikes targeting PKK in anti-terrorism operations in the Kurdish-dominated southeastern parts of Turkey and in northern Iraq. The large majority of the fatalities have been on the PKK side.
Terminated: NO
2019 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The years following the intense year of 2016 when the conflict reached the intensity level of war, there were frequent incidents in the form of governmental airstrikes targeting PKK in anti-terrorism operations in the Kurdish-dominated south eastern parts of Turkey and in northern Iraq. The large majority of the fatalities have been on the PKK side. 2019 saw a reduction of fatalities in the conflict.
Terminated: NO
2020 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The years following the intense year of 2016 when the conflict reached the intensity level of war, there were frequent incidents in the form of governmental airstrikes targeting PKK in anti-terrorism operations in the Kurdish-dominated south eastern parts of Turkey and in northern Iraq. The large majority of the fatalities have been on the PKK side. 2020 saw a reduction of fatalities in the conflict.
Terminated: NO
2021 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: The following years the intensity level has fluctuated with a downward trend, though it hasn’t reached the intensity level of war. There have been frequent incidents in the form of governmental airstrikes targeting PKK in anti-terrorism operations in the Kurdish-dominated south eastern parts of Turkey and in northern Iraq. The large majority of the fatalities have been on the PKK side. 2021 saw the same conflict pattern with clashes in the South- and South Eastern parts of Turkey and drone strikes of PKK bases in in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq. The number of fatalities in the conflict Turkey:Kurdistan increased somewhat compared to the year before.
Terminated: NO
2022 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2022 the majority of the fatalities were PKK soldiers targeted with airstrikes in northern Iraq during the military operation initiated by the Turkish Armed Forces on April 18 under the name ‘Operation Claw -Lock’. The number of fatalities in the conflict Turkey:Kurdistan continued the increasing trend from the year before.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2023 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2023, similarly to 2022, the majority of fatalities were PKK soldiers targeted with airstrikes and drone attacks in northern Iraq where the Turkish Armed Forces initiated a military operation in April last year under the name ‘Operation Claw-Lock’. A number of fatalities were also recorded in Turkey. The best estimate of fatalities in the conflict Turkey:Kurdistan decreased significantly compared to the previous years, coming closer to the fatality count from 2020.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2024 Conflict Archive
Comment on Activity: In 2024, the intensity of the conflict remained low, continuing the downward trend seen since the launch of Operation Claw-Lock in 2022. As in previous years, most of the fatalities were PKK fighters targeted by airstrikes and drone attacks in northern Iraq. Some fatalities were also recorded in Turkey. The best estimate of fatalities in the Turkey: Kurdistan conflict decreased significantly in 2024 compared to previous years, reaching its lowest level since the collapse of the peace negotiations in 2015.
Negotiations: NO
Third party involvement: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
Type of termination: Not terminated
2025 Conflict Archive
Terminated: NO
