Turkey Versus the PKK: Prepared to Go to the Next Level

The tension is rising on the Iraqi-Turkish border, threatening the start of full-fledged war within a matter of days. The Kurdistan Working Party, generally referred to as the PKK, has been fighting with the Turkish government to establish more autonomy for the Kurds. Due to their recent attacks on Turkey, there have been reports of enormous domestic pressure within Turkey (depicted left) to launch an attack on the Kurdish separatists operating in Northern Iraq. While retaliating using military forces may satisfy the Turks need for revenge, another attack will only destabilize the region more, inevitably throwing both sides into battle. Many other countries, such as Iraq and the US, are concerned because an escalation of this conflict may require their intervention. Despite this looming danger, with enough international influence, the two battling parties might be convinced to ceasefire and come to a diplomatic solution so as to avoid a potentially violent encounter.

The PKK was formed in the 1970’s with the purpose of demanding an independent Kurdish state within Turkey. The region of Kurdistan covers large parts of eastern Turkey, northwestern parts of Iraq and Iran, and smaller parts of northern Syria and Armenia. (pictured right) Turkey and many Western countries regard the PKK as a terrorist organization due to the escalating attacks on the Turkish government over last few years. Firat Anli, a district mayor in Diyarbakir says, "the result of the political and social problems in the region not being resolved." The recent attacks, which have killed both Turkish soldiers and civilians, show that the PKK is not at all interested in talking and has no intention of attending any meetings in Turkish Parliament until the demands for a more autonomous state are met. Since the formation of the PKK, more radical groups have branched off organizing their own attacks in parts of Turkey. The longer this fight continues, the more unstable the Kurdistan region will become, making it even harder to promote diplomacy in the future.

The United States, along with the Iraqi governments, has separately tried to mediate the conflict between Turkey and the PKK by condemning any military attacks from either side. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called on the Turks to practice "self-restraint." However, the Turkish government has already made arrangements to cross into Iraq to pursue Kurdish military bases that have been suspected of conducting the attacks in Turkey. Respecting the wishes of their western allies, Turkey has agreed to postpone any attacks in hopes that the US will find a way to stop PKK activity. If the US and other external influences fail to accomplish this task, the Turkish military will not hesitate to move forward with the planned incursion. The Iraqi Kurdish leader Masoud Barzani said “his autonomous region would defend itself in any way if Turkish troops invaded.” Not only are the actions taken by the PKK causing Turkey distress, they are also upsetting the Iraqi citizens who have had to deal with the turmoil brought about by the attacks prompted by the PKK.

While this dispute is between Turkey and the PKK, left alone to deal with their problems, it would surely result in a violent end. The action of the PKK thus far have proven to affect many more lives than just their own. The Iraqi government has also expressed a desire for the Kurdish separatists to leave Iraq, since the PKK is positioned in the mountains housing many Iraqi citizens who have had to flee their homes in fear of Turkish attacks. The US and the Iraqi governments should place added international pressure on the PKK and Turkey cease fire and to handle the situation centrally, since the implications actions of these regions are starting to spread.

Kurdish rebels have offered a conditional ceasefire on Turkey if the military agrees to abandon their plans to enter into Northern Iraq and comply with their demands for more autonomy. The PKK has not agreed to release any of the Turkish prisoners currently incarcerated and have not agreed to any previous demands from the Turkish government. However, this ceasefire may be the only opportunity to extinguish a potential war between the two regions, but external parties, including the US, must act swiftly. Turkish Foreign Minister published a statement saying, "We will continue these diplomatic efforts with all good intentions to solve this problem caused by a terrorist organization." But he added: "If we do not reach any results, there are other means we might have to use." (Illustrated in picture above) The chances of reaching an agreement in such a short time are not likely, but an extension of the ceasefire may help to calm each side and resume diplomatic options. International influence will be a key contributor to the success of this endeavor.