List of incidents in the Turkey–Kurdistan Workers' Party conflict
Encyclopedia
The Turkey–Kurdistan Workers' Party
conflict is between the Republic of Turkey and the militant ethnic
separatist Kurdish guerrilla group. The conflict is located in the Turkey and Northern Iraq. The campaign of armed violence began in 1978, the rural-based insurgency
began in 1984 with the urban terrorism throughout this period. The campaign of armed violence has nearly stopped after Abdullah Öcalan
's capture in 1999, but it started again in 2004.
A statement issued after an emergency meeting of the Counter Terrorism Higher Board, chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: "Our struggle against terrorism will be pursued under all conditions and above all other concerns through effective cooperation between state bodies and every measure will be implemented with determination."
The British foreign office said: "The United Kingdom utterly condemns Friday's terrorist attack in Hakkâri, Turkey. There can be no excuse for the use of violence to achieve one's aims. The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkey in its fight against terrorism and strongly supports ongoing efforts between the Turkish and Iraqi authorities to prevent the PKK from using northern Iraq as a base from which to mount attacks against Turkey."
The European Union also condemned the on the gendarmerie
station in a statement released by the Union's French presidency, saying: "Europe expresses its complete solidarity with the Turkish authorities and offers its condolences to the families and friends of the victims."
Kurdistan Workers' Party
The Kurdistan Workers' Party , commonly known as PKK, also known as KGK and formerly known as KADEK or KONGRA-GEL , is a Kurdish organization which has since 1984 been fighting an armed struggle against the Turkish state for an autonomous Kurdistan and greater cultural and political rights...
conflict is between the Republic of Turkey and the militant ethnic
Ethnic nationalism
Ethnic nationalism is a form of nationalism wherein the "nation" is defined in terms of ethnicity. Whatever specific ethnicity is involved, ethnic nationalism always includes some element of descent from previous generations and the implied claim of ethnic essentialism, i.e...
separatist Kurdish guerrilla group. The conflict is located in the Turkey and Northern Iraq. The campaign of armed violence began in 1978, the rural-based insurgency
Insurgency
An insurgency is an armed rebellion against a constituted authority when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents...
began in 1984 with the urban terrorism throughout this period. The campaign of armed violence has nearly stopped after Abdullah Öcalan
Abdullah Öcalan
Abdullah Öcalan , Kurdish founder of the terrorist organization called Kurdistan Workers' Party in 1978.Öcalan was captured in Nairobi and extradited to the Turkish security force, and sentenced to death under Article 125 of the Turkish Penal Code, which concerns the formation of armed gangs...
's capture in 1999, but it started again in 2004.
Prior to 1999
- April 19, 1995 Turkish Troops and aircraft laid siege to Kurdish PKK rebels in eastern Turkey as Ankara's military offensive in northern Iraq entetered a fifth week, in the Alibogazi ravine area in Tunceli province.
After 2004
- May 22, 2007: A suicide bombing hits Ankara2007 Ankara bombingThe 2007 Ankara bombing was a suicide attack that occurred in Ankara, the capital of Turkey, on 22 May 2007. Six people were reported killed, including one of Pakistani origin, and 121 people were wounded. A seventh person died from his injuries on 7 June and another on 17 June raising the death...
, killing eight and wounding over 100. This attack was attributed to the PKK and the Turkish army decided to launch a military action against them.
- May 31, 2007: The Turkish military announced they were prepared to launch an incursion into Iraq. Leader of Iraqi Kurdistan Massoud BarzaniMassoud BarzaniMassoud Barzani is the current President of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Barzani was born in Mahabad, Iran, during the rule of the Republic of Mahabad...
announced that the Peshmerga will defend itself in case of a Turkish incursion.
- June 2, 2007: American troops and civilians have withdrawn from all of Iraqi Kurdistan. Massoud Barzani again warns the Turkish military that any incursion will be fought against by the Peshmerga. An estimated 100,000 Turkish troops are mobilized on the border between Turkey and Iraq.
- June 4, 2007: A PKK grenade attack kills seven soldiers and wounds six at an army base in Tunceli.
- June 5, 2007: There are reports of limited shelling and air strikes by the Turkish army attacking PKK bases in Iraqi Kurdistan.
- June 7, 2007: Several hundred Turkish troops cross into Iraq on a "hot pursuit" raid against Turkish rebels. Turkey declares a three month martial law in Kurdish areas near the Iraq border and bans civilian flights to the area. It has been confirmed that 3 Turkish soldiers have been killed by a PKK landmine.
- October 7, 2007: Yüksekova incident. 27 Turkish soldiers and 33 PKK militants are killed.
- Oct 17, 2007: Turkish Grand National Assembly approves a government request for their troops to cross the Iraqi border to attack Kurdish rebels. Action was delayed on request by the US government on the condition that "swift steps" were taken to deal with the militants.
- Oct 21, 2007: 12 Turkish troops killed in PKK ambush on their army post, less than three miles from the Iraq border.
- October 24, 2007: Turkish fighter jets bombed several PKK targets on the Iraqi side of the border.
2008
- February 21, 2008: Turkey launches a ground incursion2008 Turkish incursion into northern IraqThe 2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq, code-named Operation Sun by the Turkish Armed Forces, began on February 21, 2008, when the Turkish Army sent troops into northern Iraq to target the Kurdistan Workers Party . The ground offensive was preceded by Turkish Air Force aerial bombardments...
into northern Iraq, sending 10,000 troops across the border supported by air assets. A total of 27 Turkish soldiers and 724 PKK militants are killed.
- July 27, 2008: Turkey blames the PKK for two bombings in Istanbul2008 Istanbul bombingsThe 2008 Istanbul bombings occurred on July 27, 2008 when two explosions hit a busy shopping street in the Güngören district of Istanbul, killing seventeen people, five of them children, and injuring 154. The attacks occurred at 9:45 p.m. local time, 18:45 UTC, on a pedestrian street closed to...
which kill 17 and injure 154.
- August 7, 2008: The PKK claimed responsibility for the explosion that halted the operation of the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline.
- October 1, 2008: One Turkish security force soldier was killed, with another one wounded, in an attack staged by PKK militants in southeastern Turkey.
- October 4, 2008: Fifteen Turkish soldiers were killed, with another 20 also wounded, after a PKK attack from northern Iraq with the firing of heavy weapons at a military outpost in the SemdinliSemdinliŞemdinli is a district located in the Hakkari Province of southeastern Turkey.The population is 11,211 as of 2010.It was previously in the Ottoman vilayet of Van and the district centre was called Nevşehir...
region bordering Iraq and Iran. At least 23 members of the PKK were also killed.
A statement issued after an emergency meeting of the Counter Terrorism Higher Board, chaired by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said: "Our struggle against terrorism will be pursued under all conditions and above all other concerns through effective cooperation between state bodies and every measure will be implemented with determination."
The British foreign office said: "The United Kingdom utterly condemns Friday's terrorist attack in Hakkâri, Turkey. There can be no excuse for the use of violence to achieve one's aims. The UK stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Turkey in its fight against terrorism and strongly supports ongoing efforts between the Turkish and Iraqi authorities to prevent the PKK from using northern Iraq as a base from which to mount attacks against Turkey."
The European Union also condemned the on the gendarmerie
Gendarmerie
A gendarmerie or gendarmery is a military force charged with police duties among civilian populations. Members of such a force are typically called "gendarmes". The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary describes a gendarme as "a soldier who is employed on police duties" and a "gendarmery, -erie" as...
station in a statement released by the Union's French presidency, saying: "Europe expresses its complete solidarity with the Turkish authorities and offers its condolences to the families and friends of the victims."
2009
- May 28, 2009: 6 Turkish soldiers were killed and 7 others were reportedly injured when their vehicle struck a landmine, in the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
of south-eastern Turkey.
- December 7, 2009: Seven Turkish soldiers were killed and three wounded in an ambushReşadiye shootingThe Reşadiye shooting was an ambush that took place on December 7, 2009, at Reşadiye, Tokat Province, Turkey. Unidentified gunmen ambushed a Turkish patrol, killing seven soldiers and wounding three others...
in ResadiyeResadiyeReşadiye is a town and a district of Tokat Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. The mayor is Rafet Erdem . It is near the town of Doğanşehir....
, Northern Turkey. The gunmen are suspected Kurdish militants, but their identities have not yet been confirmed.
2010
- March 14, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and another soldier was injured during a clash with PKK militants, in the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
of south-eastern Turkey.
- April 15, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and 2 were wounded during clashes in the BatmanBatman ProvinceBatman Province is a Turkish province southeast of Anatolia. The province's population exceeded 500,000 in 2010.The province is important because of its reserves and production of oil which was started in the 1940s. There is a 494-km long oil pipeline from Batman to the Turkish port of İskenderun....
province. In the Siirt ProvinceSiirt ProvinceSiirt Province is a province of Turkey, located in the southeast. The province borders Bitlis to the north, Batman to the west, Mardin to the southwest, Şırnak to the south, and Van to the east. It has an area of 5,406 km² and a total population of 300,695...
2 PKK militants were killed and 3 soldiers wounded.
- April 19, 2010: 2 Turkish police officers were killed after suspected PKK militants opened fire upon their police patrol car with automatic weapons in the northern Turkish province of SamsunSamsunSamsun is a city of about half a million people on the north coast of Turkey. It is the provincial capital of Samsun Province and a major Black Sea port.-Name:...
.
- April 26, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and 2 others were reportedly wounded after a landmine detonated, as their military vehicle was crossing a bridge near to the town of DereliDereliDereli is a town and district of Giresun Province in the Black Sea region of Turkey. The mayor is Kazım Zeki Şenlikoğlu .Dereli is a small town of 6,043 people in attractive countryside, in the valley of the Aksu Deresi and Akkaya River, inland 28 from Giresun on the road to...
within the Giresun provinceGiresun ProvinceGiresun Province is a province of Turkey on the Black Sea coast. Its adjacent provinces are Trabzon to the east, Gümüşhane to the south-west, Erzincan to the south, Sivas to the south-east, and Ordu to the west. The provincial capital is Giresun....
.
- April 29, 2010: 2 Turkish soldiers were killed and another 3 other soldiers were wounded in a clash with PKK militants within the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
, in the south east of the country. These deaths and injuries come as the Turkish military launches a new military operation against PKK militants, in south eastern Turkey.
- May 1, 2010: At least 4 Turkish soldiers were killed and another 7 others were apparently injured after PKK militants attacked a military command post within the Tunceli ProvinceTunceli ProvinceThe Tunceli Province is a province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The province was named Dersim Province and was changed to Tunceli Province on January 4, 1936. with the "Law on Administration of the Tunceli Province" , no...
, in eastern Turkey.
- May 2, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and one other soldier was reportedly wounded after PKK militants launched an attack upon a military command post within the Diyarbakır ProvinceDiyarbakir ProvinceDiyarbakır Province is a province in eastern Turkey. The province covers an area of 15,355 km² and the population is 1,528,958. The provincial capital is Diyarbakir...
.
- May 7, 2010: 2 Turkish soldiers and 5 PKK militants were killed in a clash, after Kurdish militants launched an overnight attack upon a military command post in the Daglica district, in the south-eastern Hakkâri Province. One other soldier was also reportedly injured in this engagement.
- May 8, 2010: 2 Turkish soldiers were killed in two separate explosions, as they patrolled remote areas of both the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
and the Şırnak ProvinceŞırnak ProvinceThe Şırnak Province is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. It has a population of 430,109 . The population was 353,197 in 2000....
, which are border provinces of the country. Turkish special forces also pursued and killed at least 5 PKK militants, after they followed them into northern IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
with helicopter gunships and drones. This Turkish incursion reportedly came as 2 other Turkish soldiers were killed by PKK militants, according to a military command website.
- May 21, 2010: At least 4 PKK militants were killed when Turkish military aircraft attacked rebel targets inside northern IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. This incident has been proclaimed the largest government operation in more than a year, according to military officials in the country.
- May 25, 2010: 1 child was killed and 4 other people were wounded after an unidentified explosive device detonated near a military barracks, in the Diyarbakır ProvinceDiyarbakir ProvinceDiyarbakır Province is a province in eastern Turkey. The province covers an area of 15,355 km² and the population is 1,528,958. The provincial capital is Diyarbakir...
of south eastern Turkey.
- May 26, 2010: 4 PKK militants were killed by Turkish security forces, in a military clash within the mountainous Tunceli ProvinceTunceli ProvinceThe Tunceli Province is a province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The province was named Dersim Province and was changed to Tunceli Province on January 4, 1936. with the "Law on Administration of the Tunceli Province" , no...
, in eastern Turkey.
- May 27, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and another 3 other soldiers were reportedly wounded after Turkish military forces clashed with PKK militants in the Şırnak ProvinceŞırnak ProvinceThe Şırnak Province is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. It has a population of 430,109 . The population was 353,197 in 2000....
, in south eastern Turkey near to the border with IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
- May 29, 2010: 2 Turkish soldiers and 3 state-backed village guards were killed in two separate clashes with PKK militants within the Şırnak ProvinceŞırnak ProvinceThe Şırnak Province is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. It has a population of 430,109 . The population was 353,197 in 2000....
, of south eastern Turkey. It has also been reported that 6 other people were wounded in these two clashes.
- May 30, 2010: At least 2 Turkish soldiers, 3 village guardsmen, 1 private security guard and a PKK militant were killed in a series of clashes and attacks, which occurred in the Şırnak ProvinceŞırnak ProvinceThe Şırnak Province is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. It has a population of 430,109 . The population was 353,197 in 2000....
within the east of the country. It has also been reported that 3 other people were wounded in all of these incidents, engagements and clashes that occurred across the country.
- May 31, 2010: IskenderunIskenderunİskenderun is a city and urban district in the province of Hatay on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey. The current mayor is Yusuf Hamit Civelek .-Names:...
, Turkey PKK terrorists launched a rocket attack against a Turkish naval base in the Mediterranean port city of Iskenderun, in southern Turkey. It was later reported that at least 6 Turkish soldiers were killed in this attack and that another 7 other soldiers were apparently wounded in this rocket assault.
- June 2, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and at least 3 other soldiers were wounded after a clash occurred between security forces and PKK militants within the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
of south-eastern Turkey. It has also been reported that 2 PKK militants were also killed in this engagement with the security forces within this particular province in the south east of the country.
- June 6, 2010: 3 PKK militants were killed in clashes with security forces within the Şırnak ProvinceŞırnak ProvinceThe Şırnak Province is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. It has a population of 430,109 . The population was 353,197 in 2000....
, which is located within eastern Turkey. This operation was launched after a roadside bomb blast was blamed on PKK militants however nobody was reportedly injured in this bombing.
- June 8, 2010: A roadside bomb exploded next to a police vehicle within Turkey's largest city of IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
. In this explosion it was reported that up to 15 people were injured, as a result of this blast. PKK militants are being suspected, of carrying out this particular attack.
- June 11, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and 14 other people were wounded after PKK militants launched two attacks against security forces within the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
and the Tunceli ProvinceTunceli ProvinceThe Tunceli Province is a province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The province was named Dersim Province and was changed to Tunceli Province on January 4, 1936. with the "Law on Administration of the Tunceli Province" , no...
in the east of the country.
- June 14, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and 4 others were wounded after security forces clashed with PKK militants in the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
, which is located near to the border with IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
.
- June 15, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and another 3 others were reportedly injured after an improvised explosive device exploded within the Şırnak ProvinceŞırnak ProvinceThe Şırnak Province is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. It has a population of 430,109 . The population was 353,197 in 2000....
, which is located within the east of the country.
- June 16, 2010: 4 PKK militants were killed by Turkish security forces in an offensive across the border into northern IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. The Turkish military have also claimed that air strikes were also launched against rebel positions deeper inside the Iraqi territory.
- June 19, 2010: At least 8 Turkish soldiers were killed and another 14 other soldiers were wounded in a clash with PKK militants at an outpost near the city of SemdinliSemdinliŞemdinli is a district located in the Hakkari Province of southeastern Turkey.The population is 11,211 as of 2010.It was previously in the Ottoman vilayet of Van and the district centre was called Nevşehir...
, in the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
. It has been reported that this particular clash came as PKK militants launched a raid upon a Turkish outpost near to the city of Semdinli. It is known that 12 PKK militants were also killed in these subsequent clashes and that Turkish military aircraft later proceeded to bomb PKK militant positions in the north of IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. Two further Turkish soldiers were killed when PKK militants trod on a land mine.
- June 22, 2010: At least 5 people were killed and 12 others were injured after a remote-control bomb exploded near to a military convoy within Turkey's largest city in IstanbulIstanbulIstanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
. It was later reported that those killed consisted of 4 Turkish soldiers and 1 civilian, as both military personnel and civilians were present aboard this military bus. Another 12 others were also injured in this bombing, with two of those in a critical condition. This incident was later considered to be a terrorist attack and PKK militants are being considered as the most likely of perpetrators. At least 7 PKK militants and 1 Turkish soldier were killed in clashes within different areas and provinces of the country. It was also reported that two soldiers and three civilians had apparently been wounded in these clashes and that one PKK militant had been captured by the Turkish security forces in these operations.
- June 24, 2010: 2 Turkish soldiers and 1 civilian were killed after PKK militants assaulted a group of villagers, as they returning home in the Elazığ ProvinceElazig ProvinceElâzığ Province is a province of Turkey with its seat in the city of Elâzığ. The source of the Euphrates river is located in this province.The province has a population of 552,646 as of 2010...
, of eastern Turkey. It has been reported that four civilians and one Turkish soldier were also apparently wounded, as a result of this PKK militant ambush.
- June 25, 2010: 2 PKK militants were killed by Turkish police after the Turkish security forces attacked their hideout after they had received a tip-off, in the eastern sectors of the country.
- June 26, 2010: 1 PKK militant was killed and several others were wounded in a clash with the Turkish military within the Kars ProvinceKars ProvinceKars Province is a province of Turkey, located in the northeastern part of the country. It shares part of its border with the Republic of Armenia.The provinces of Ardahan and Iğdır were until the 1990s part of Kars Province.-History:...
, which is located in the east of the country.
- June 28, 2010: Turkish military warplanes bombarded PKK military positions in the Sidakan district of the Arbil province within the mountainous region of north-eastern IraqIraqIraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. There were no accurate reports on the extent to how much damage or how many casualties were sustained in this renewed bombing campaign.
- July 1, 2010: 2 Turkish soldiers, 3 government-allied militia and 12 PKK militants were killed in clashes near the town of PervariPervariPervari is a district of Siirt Province of Turkey....
within the Siirt ProvinceSiirt ProvinceSiirt Province is a province of Turkey, located in the southeast. The province borders Bitlis to the north, Batman to the west, Mardin to the southwest, Şırnak to the south, and Van to the east. It has an area of 5,406 km² and a total population of 300,695...
, in south-eastern Turkey.
- July 6, 2010: 3 Turkish soldiers and 13 PKK militants were killed in two separate incidents after Kurdish rebels attacked a Turkish military outpost and yet also attacked a Turkish military patrol, in both the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
and the Elazig ProvinceElazig ProvinceElâzığ Province is a province of Turkey with its seat in the city of Elâzığ. The source of the Euphrates river is located in this province.The province has a population of 552,646 as of 2010...
within south-eastern Turkey. It was also reported that a total of nine Turkish soldiers were apparently injured in these two particular attacks towards the Turkish military within these two different provinces, which are located within the east and the south-eastern sectors of the country.
- July 7, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and 2 other soldiers were injured after PKK militants launched an overnight attack upon a Turkish military outpost within the Batman ProvinceBatman ProvinceBatman Province is a Turkish province southeast of Anatolia. The province's population exceeded 500,000 in 2010.The province is important because of its reserves and production of oil which was started in the 1940s. There is a 494-km long oil pipeline from Batman to the Turkish port of İskenderun....
, in south-eastern Turkey.
- July 15, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed and another soldier was reportedly injured, as a result of a explosive device detonation, which is suspected to have been staged by PKK militants within the Van ProvinceVan ProvinceVan Province is a province in eastern Turkey, between Lake Van and the Iranian border. It is 19,069 km2 in area and had a population of 1,035,418 at the end of 2010....
of eastern Turkey.
- July 20, 2010: 6 Turkish soldiers were killed and 15 other soldiers were reportedly injured after PKK militants launched an attack upon a on a military outpost, near to the town of CukurcaÇukurcaÇukurca is a district of Hakkari Province of Turkey. The mayor is Mehmet Kanar . The population is 5283 as of 2010....
within the Hakkâri ProvinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
of south-eastern Turkey. It was also reported that 1 PKK militant was also reportedly killed in this attack upon the military outpost. It was later reported that one Turkish soldier was killed in a separate attack after his military unit was fired upon by PKK militants within the Van ProvinceVan ProvinceVan Province is a province in eastern Turkey, between Lake Van and the Iranian border. It is 19,069 km2 in area and had a population of 1,035,418 at the end of 2010....
, of eastern Turkey. This latest attack brings the total number of Turkish soldiers to be killed in PKK militant attacks to seven on this particular day.
- July 24, 2010: 4 Turkish soldiers were killed in a roadside bomb explosion near to the town of DoğubeyazıtDogubeyazitDoğubeyazıt is a city and district of Ağrı Province of Turkey, and is Turkey's most eastern district, the border crossing to Iran. Elevation 1625 m. Area 2.383 km². Population 115.354 of which 69.447 live in the town of Doğubeyazıt, the remainder in the surrounding countryside...
within the Ağrı ProvinceAgri ProvinceThe Ağrı Province is a province in eastern Turkey, bordering Iran to the east, Kars to the North, Erzurum to the Northwest, Muş and Bitlis to the Southwest, Van to the south, and Iğdır to the northeast. Area 11,376 km². Population 542,022 ....
, of eastern Turkey. PKK militants are suspected of carrying out this particular bombing.
- July 27, 2010: 4 Turkish police officers were killed after unidentified assailants launched an armed attack upon a police station in the town of DortyolDörtyolDörtyol is a port city and oil terminus at the head of the Gulf of İskenderun, near the easternmost point of the Mediterranean coast. Dörtyol is located 26 km north of the city of Iskenderun in the province of Hatay in southeastern Turkey.-Geography:...
, which is located within the Hatay ProvinceHatay ProvinceHatay Province is a province in southern Turkey, on the Mediterranean coast. It is bordered by Syria to the south and east and the Turkish provinces of Adana and Osmaniye to the north. The province is part of Çukurova, a geographical, economical and cultural region that covers the provinces of...
of south-eastern Turkey. PKK militants are suspected of carrying out this recent attack.
- August 1, 2010: 4 Kurdish civilians (including BDPPeace and Democracy PartyThe Peace and Democracy Party ) is a political party in the Republic of Turkey. It succeeded the Democratic Society Party following the closure of the latter party for its alleged connections with the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by the EU.The BDP has observer status in the...
members) were killed after their vehicle struck a roadside bomb within the Batman ProvinceBatman ProvinceBatman Province is a Turkish province southeast of Anatolia. The province's population exceeded 500,000 in 2010.The province is important because of its reserves and production of oil which was started in the 1940s. There is a 494-km long oil pipeline from Batman to the Turkish port of İskenderun....
of south-eastern Turkey. It is believed that PKK militants reportedly planted this explosive device, which killed all those within the vehicle.
- August 3, 2010: 1 Turkish police officer and 3 PKK militants were killed after Kurdish militants attacked police buildings in the town of EruhEruh-Villages:Ak Diken, Bağgöze ,Ballı Kavak, Bayır Yuzu,Bilgili , Bingöl, Bozatlı, Bozkuş, Böluklu, Budamış, Cintepe, Çeltiksuyu, Çetinkol, Çırpılı, Cimencik, Çizmeli, Dadaklı, Dağduşu, Dalkorur, Demiremek, Dikboğaz, Dönerdöver, Dudiran , Ekinyolu, Erenkaya, Garsani Habeş, Garsan-i Amo Şahin,...
, which is located within the Siirt ProvinceSiirt ProvinceSiirt Province is a province of Turkey, located in the southeast. The province borders Bitlis to the north, Batman to the west, Mardin to the southwest, Şırnak to the south, and Van to the east. It has an area of 5,406 km² and a total population of 300,695...
of south-eastern Turkey. It was also reported that 1 police officer was also apparently injured in these clashes within this town.
- August 5, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier and 6 PKK militants were killed in military clashes between the two forces. In a separate incident, it was reported that 3 PKK militants were killed in the Hakkâri provinceHakkari ProvinceHakkâri Province is a province in the south east corner of Turkey. The administrative centre is located in the city of Hakkâri . The province covers an area of 7,121 km² and has a population of 251,302 . The province had a population of 236,581 in 2000.The province was created in 1936 out of...
within the south-east of the country in clashes with the Turkish military. Meanwhile it is also known that another 3 PKK militants were also apparently killed after they opened fire at a local governor's office within the eastern city of VanVan, TurkeyVan is a city in southeastern Turkey and the seat of the Kurdish-majority Van Province, and is located on the eastern shore of Lake Van. The city's official population in 2010 was 367,419, but many estimates put this as much higher with a 1996 estimate stating 500,000 and former Mayor Burhan...
. In this clash, it was reported that 2 police officers apparently sustained injuries in this militant attack. It was reported that police also managed to confiscate explosives from a car near to the city of DiyarbakirDiyarbakirDiyarbakır is one of the largest cities in southeastern Turkey...
, in south-eastern Turkey. It is known that 2 suspected PKK militants were reportedly detained by the authorities after this incident.
- August 8, 2010: 3 Turkish soldiers were killed and 1 other police officer was apparently injured after PKK militants detonated an explosive device by remote near to Turkish security forces within the Mardin ProvinceMardin ProvinceMardin Province is a province of Turkey with a population of 744,606. The population was 835,173 in 2000. The capital of the Mardin Province is Mardin...
of south-eastern Turkey.
- August 9, 2010: 5 PKK militants were killed in clashes with the Turkish military within the Batman ProvinceBatman ProvinceBatman Province is a Turkish province southeast of Anatolia. The province's population exceeded 500,000 in 2010.The province is important because of its reserves and production of oil which was started in the 1940s. There is a 494-km long oil pipeline from Batman to the Turkish port of İskenderun....
of south-eastern Turkey. It was also reported that 2 Turkish soldiers were also reportedly injured during these military clashes.
- August 10, 2010: 2 Kurdish civilians were killed and 1 other civilian was wounded after a suspected mine explosion detonated near to an oil pipeline within the Şırnak ProvinceŞırnak ProvinceThe Şırnak Province is a Turkish province in southeastern Anatolia. It has a population of 430,109 . The population was 353,197 in 2000....
of south-eastern Turkey. PKK militants are suspected of carrying out this particular bombing.
- August 24, 2010: 1 Turkish imamImamAn imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
was shot dead after prayer in Hakkâri. According to Hakkâri governor, assailants were identified as PKK members.
- September 6, 2010: 1 imamImamAn imam is an Islamic leadership position, often the worship leader of a mosque and the Muslim community. Similar to spiritual leaders, the imam is the one who leads Islamic worship services. More often, the community turns to the mosque imam if they have a religious question...
from Şırnak was shot dead after prayer.
- September 7, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier and 9 PKK militants were killed after clashes broke out after militants had raided a hydroelectric power plant within the Dinar Deresi region of the Tunceli provinceTunceli ProvinceThe Tunceli Province is a province in the Eastern Anatolia region of Turkey. The province was named Dersim Province and was changed to Tunceli Province on January 4, 1936. with the "Law on Administration of the Tunceli Province" , no...
, which is located in eastern Turkey.
- September 12, 2010: 1 Turkish soldier was killed in a landmine explosion within the Eruh district of the Siirt ProvinceSiirt ProvinceSiirt Province is a province of Turkey, located in the southeast. The province borders Bitlis to the north, Batman to the west, Mardin to the southwest, Şırnak to the south, and Van to the east. It has an area of 5,406 km² and a total population of 300,695...
, in south-eastern Turkey. PKK militants are suspected over carrying out this particular landmine attack.
- September 16, 2010: At least 9 Kurdish civilians were killed and 3 others were reportedly injured in a minibus blast, which is believed to have been caused by a suspected mine explosion that occurred near to the city of HakkâriHakkariHakkâri , is a city and the capital of the Hakkâri Province of Turkey. The name Hakkâri is derived from the Syriac word, Akkare, meaning farmers...
, in south-eastern Turkey. PKK militants are suspected of carrying out this particular bombing.
2011
- March 15, 2011: 3 PKK militants who were noticed during a routine field scanning mission were killed.
- April 2011: In KahramanmaraşKahramanmaras-Industry:Kahramanmaraş's industry is mainly based on textile and ice cream. Kahramanmaraş is one of the biggest textile industry cities of Turkey. Companies like Kipaş, İskur, Arsan and Bozkurt are one of the richest companies in the city...
in Turkey's Mediterranean RegionMediterranean Region, TurkeyThe Mediterranean Region is one of Turkey's seven census-defined geographical regions . It is bordered by the Aegean Region to the west, the Central Anatolia Region to the north, the Eastern Anatolia Region to the northeast, the Southeastern Anatolia Region to the east, Syria to the southeast, and...
, three PKK militants were shot dead by security forces amidst protracted street protests. - May 2011: 12 PKK militants were killed while they were trying to pass the Turkish-Iraqi border.
- July 14, 2011: A PKK grenade starts a forest fire near Silvan that leaves 13 Turkish soldiers dead and seven injured.
- July 24: Three Turkish soldiers are killed in an ambush near Ikipinar, in Mardin province.
- August 1: An ambush in Baskale, Van, leaves three Turkish soldiers dead.
- August 17: Nine soldiers and a village guard die in landmine blasts in Hakkâri province.
- August 18: In response to the Hakkâri attack, Turkish F-16s launched attacks on PKK positions in northern Iraq. Turkey claimed to have hit 168 targets in Iraq, including in the Qandil MountainsQandil MountainsThe Qandil Mountains are a mountainous area of northern Iraq near the Iraq–Iran border, and approximately 50 km south of the Turkey–Iraq–Iran tripoint. The region belongs to the Zagros mountain range and is difficult to access...
.
- September 21: PKK killed 4 Kurdish civilian women and wounded 2 others in Siirt by attacking a civilian vehicle.
- October 19: PKK killed 24 Turkish soldiers during overnight attacks on military installations in Hakkâri province. PKK lost 23 militants in the attack, and at least 49 more on the following operations by Turkish army.
External links
- Victims of the Conflict
- Turkish Gov’t Pushes to Disarm Kurdish Fighters by Cindy Jaquith, The Militant, April 13, 2009