Maoist insurgency in Turkey

Quick Facts: Who was Maoist insurgency in Turkey?

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Maoist insurgency in Turkey

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Ongoing low-level Maoist insurgency in eastern Turkey, evolving from the People's War.

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Origins & Early Life

The Maoist insurgency in Turkey, referred by the Maoists as the People's War (Turkish: Halk savaşı), is an ongoing low-level insurgency in eastern Turkey between the Turkish government and Maoist rebels that began in the early 1970s. The insurgency declined in the late 1980s and 1990s and has been sidelined by the larger Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–2025). Low-level armed attacks continue to be carried out by Maoist insurgent groups, the most significant of which are the Liberation Army of the Workers and Peasants of Turkey (TİKKO) (the armed wing of the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist) and the People's Liberation Army (HKO) and People's Partisan Forces (PHG), both armed wings of the Maoist Communist Party. On 24 April 1972, the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist (TKP/ML, sometimes incorrectly referred to as Partizan after the name of one of its publications) was formed by a radical group led by İbrahim Kaypakkaya, and intended to wage a people's war. However, a year later, Kaypakkaya was captured, tortured, and killed.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

In 1978, it had its first conference, affirming its plan for guerrilla warfare, although the idea of armed rebellion remained in theory with little progress made to fruition. The TKP/ML was involved in political violence between left and right wing groups in the 1970s. In the late 1980s, the TKP/ML suffered from a series of splits following the party's second congress. In 1993, the TKP/ML attempted unsuccessfully to reunify with the Maoist Communist Party (Turkey) On 17 May 1985, the TKP/ML broadcast a propaganda message to millions of television viewers in Istanbul, replacing the soundtrack for the evening news. TKP/ML's military wing, the Liberation Army of the Workers and Peasants of Turkey (TİKKO), carried out militant and guerrilla actions in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, mainly in the Tunceli Province, whose inhabitants saw the Maoist guerrilla war as revenge for the repression of the Dersim rebellion in 1938.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

TİKKO reached its height during this period, carrying out guerrilla warfare in the mountainous areas of the Tunceli and Black Sea regions. The first clash between the TKP/ML and the Gendarmerie took place on January 24, 1973. Gendarmerie units under the command of Fehmi Altınbilek were advancing towards the hamlet of Vartinik, the camp where İbrahim Kaypakkaya was located. Since the guard they put on had fallen asleep, they were unable to notice the raid on the camp. Ali Haydar woke up first and defended the camp against the Gendarmerie with his hunting rifle, but was shot after firing a single bullet.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1938: 1938 Milestone — TKP/ML's military wing, the Liberation Army of the Workers and Peasants of Turkey (TİKKO), carried out militant and guerrilla actions in the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, mainly in the Tunceli Province, whose inhabitants saw the Maoist guerrilla war as revenge for the repression of the Dersim rebellion in 1938.
2. 1972: 1972 Milestone — On 24 April 1972, the Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist (TKP/ML, sometimes incorrectly referred to as Partizan after the name of one of its publications) was formed by a radical group led by İbrahim Kaypakkaya, and intended to wage a people's war.
3. 1973: 1973 Milestone — The first clash between the TKP/ML and the Gendarmerie took place on January 24, 1973.
4. 1978: 1978 Milestone — The insurgency declined in the late 1980s and 1990s and has been sidelined by the larger Kurdish–Turkish conflict (1978–2025).
5. 1993: 1993 Milestone — In 1993, the TKP/ML attempted unsuccessfully to reunify with the Maoist Communist Party (Turkey) On 17 May 1985, the TKP/ML broadcast a propaganda message to millions of television viewers in Istanbul, replacing the soundtrack for the evening news.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Maoist insurgency in Turkey

True or False: “The Maoist insurgency was entirely suppressed by Turkish forces before the 21st century began.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it declined significantly in the late 20th century, low-level armed attacks and activity continued into the 21st century.

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