Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)

Quick Facts: Who was Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)?

Subject:

Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)

Known for:

A protracted and volatile conflict between the Turkish state and Kurdish militant groups.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

In late July 2015, the third phase of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict between various Kurdish insurgent groups and the Turkish government erupted, following a failed two and a half year-long peace process aimed at resolving the long-running conflict. The conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) broke out again in summer 2015 following two-year-long peace negotiations. These began in late 2012, but failed to progress in light of the growing tensions on the Turkish-Syrian border in late 2014, when the Turkish state prevented its Kurdish citizens from sending support to the People's Protection Units (YPG) who were fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during the Siege of Kobani. Turkey was accused of assisting the Islamic State during the siege, resulting in the widespread 2014 Kurdish riots in Turkey involving dozens of fatalities. In November 2015, Turkish authorities said that a number of towns and areas in the Eastern Anatolia region had come under the control of PKK militants and affiliated armed organizations.

Career & Major Achievements

According to Turkish government sources, between July 2015 and May 2016, 2,583 Kurdish insurgents were killed in Turkey and 2,366 in Iraq, as well as 483 members of the Turkish security forces. The PKK said 1,557 Turkish security forces members were killed in 2015 during the clashes in Turkish and Iraqi Kurdistan, while it lost 220 fighters. According to the International Crisis Group, 4,310 people, including 465 civilians, were killed in Turkey between July 2015 and December 2018, including Kurdish lawyer Tahir Elçi. In March 2017, the United Nations voiced "concern" over the Turkish government's operations and called for an independent assessment of the "massive destruction, killings and numerous other serious human rights violations" against the ethnic Kurdish minority. Since 2016, the Turkish military and Syrian National Army have conducted operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces, leading to the Turkish occupation of northern Syria.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In May 2022, the conflict gained global geopolitical significance as Turkey opposed the accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO, accusing them of supporting the PKK. On 27 February 2025 Abdullah Öcalan called for an end to the over-40-year conflict, and that the PKK disarm and disband. The Kurdish-Turkish peace process saw negotiations begin between jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan and the Turkish government in late 2012. A ceasefire was called, and the PKK agreed to withdraw from Turkish Kurdistan into Iraqi Kurdistan. In 2014, anger increased among Turkish Kurds with what they saw as the Turkish state's facilitation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's assault on Syrian Kurds during the Rojava–Islamist conflict, culminating in the 2014 Kurdish riots in Turkey during the Siege of Kobanî.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 2012: 2012 Milestone — These began in late 2012, but failed to progress in light of the growing tensions on the Turkish-Syrian border in late 2014, when the Turkish state prevented its Kurdish citizens from sending support to the People's Protection Units (YPG) who were fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during the Siege of Kobani.
2. 2014: 2014 Milestone — Turkey was accused of assisting the Islamic State during the siege, resulting in the widespread 2014 Kurdish riots in Turkey involving dozens of fatalities.
3. 2015: 2015 Milestone — In late July 2015, the third phase of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict between various Kurdish insurgent groups and the Turkish government erupted, following a failed two and a half year-long peace process aimed at resolving the long-running conflict.
4. 2016: 2016 Milestone — Since 2016, the Turkish military and Syrian National Army have conducted operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces, leading to the Turkish occupation of northern Syria.
5. 2017: 2017 Milestone — In March 2017, the United Nations voiced "concern" over the Turkish government's operations and called for an independent assessment of the "massive destruction, killings and numerous other serious human rights violations" against the ethnic Kurdish minority.
6. 2022: 2022 Milestone — In May 2022, the conflict gained global geopolitical significance as Turkey opposed the accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO, accusing them of supporting the PKK.
7. 2025: 2025 Milestone — On 27 February 2025 Abdullah Öcalan called for an end to the over-40-year conflict, and that the PKK disarm and disband.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)

True or False: “The initial peace negotiations between the PKK and the Turkish government were immediately abandoned after the 2014 Siege of Kobani.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While tensions escalated significantly due to events like the 2014 riots, the peace process itself began in late 2012.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)