ISTANBUL

The bloody terrorist organization PKK - perpetrator of inhumane attacks throughout its history – has chosen to blame its various sub-units in order to eliminate reactions against its armed and bomb attacks and problems that it has faced.

The PKK, which made its name known on 15 August 1984 by attacking the Eruh district [of southeastern Siirt province] and Semdinli district [of southeastern Hakkari province] has pursued in vain to undermine peace and brotherhood in the country and destroy the constitutional order in the last 32 years thanks to foreign help.

The PKK has put forward different organizations as its attacks that killed civilians indiscriminately have foiled its efforts to project a different image.

In Syria, the PKK has used PYD as a name. By splitting PYD into two organizations – political and armed wings – PKK has preferred the YPG for its armed wing.

In Iran, the PKK carried out its activities under the name of PJAK.

Landing into troubled waters as its attacks killed many civilians, PKK opted out to make “cosmetic” moves. It alleged various and independent groups and groups free from chain of command have built up their own process.

The terrorist organization staged attacks through its sub units: “The Kurdistan Revolutionary Patriotic Youth Association” between 1987-1991, “The Kurdistan Youth Association” between 1991 and 2003 and “The Kurdistan Free Youth Movement” between 2003 and 2005. The movement has operated under the name of “the Independent Youth Movement” in Turkey.

“The Democratic Youth Confederation” founded by the PKK has operated between 2005-2007 and made itself known in Turkey through “the Patriotic Free Youth Movement.”

The latter organization has changed its name in 2008 to “the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement,” (YDG-H) and later changed again to “the Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Assembly” (YDGM).

YDGM has continued its operations under this name.

Lastly, “the Civil Protection Units” (YPS) has tried to conduct its operations in the east and southeastern part of the country.

Meanwhile, the armed action forces of the PKK have changed their name several times in this period. The terrorist organization have continued bloody actions by the branches such as People's Defense Forces (HPG), Civil Protection Units (YPS), Self-Defense Units (OSB). 

While it has transformed its umbrella name from time-to-time, like KCK, Kongra-Gel, KKK; it is known by couple of names as PKK/KCK or PKK/Kongra-Gel. 

On the other hand, due to inefficacy of HPG, they established the TAK (Kurdistan Freedom Falcons) which has carried out terror attacks in big cities and touristic areas, against civilians and military since 2004.

Some of the attacks in which civilians were hurt, were undertaken by the TAK:

- Five people were killed, two of whom were tourists and 20 people were injured when a bomb exploded at Kusadasi, a coastal resort town on July 10, 2005.

- The Justice and Development (AK) Party’s representation office in Istanbul was attacked on April 5, 2006.

- Two people were killed in a hotel attack in Marmaris on April 28, 2006.

- Four people were killed, many were injured in an attack in Antalya on 28 August 2006.

- Four soldiers were martyred; one civilian was killed when a military bus was blown up in Istanbul’s Halkali district on June 22, 2010.

- Thirty-two people were injured in an attack on Istanbul’s Taksim on October 31, 2010.

- A bomb attack which killed three people and injured 34 in Ankara’s Kizilay on September 20, 2011.

- One person was killed in an attack on Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport on Dec. 23, 2015.

- A bomb attack against military service vehicles in Ankara martyred 29 people on Feb. 17, 2016. (The TAK claimed responsibility two days later to acquit the PKK and YPG).

- Thirty-five people were killed, including women and children, 125 people were injured when a bomb exploded at Ankara’s Kizilay on March 13, 2016.

The terrorist organization, which has changed its discourse after the capture of Abdullah Ocalan in February 15, 1999, has been hiding behind ‘democracy’ and ‘peace’ concepts by using academic and political sympathizers and social media in the recent period.

Moreover it is estimated that the terrorist organization saw ‘the solution process’ as a term of getting logistical support, gaining new members, and storing up weapons and ammunitions in city centers.

Despite the so-called discourse of the organization, it is observed that they have not given up its ‘independent state’ dream, and this situation has been not changed under the leadership of Cemil Bayik and Murat Karayilan.

The PKK is trying to earn sympathy in the international arena by appearing like assisting international coalition forces that are fighting Daesh in Syria by its branches in abroad.