Dynamics of the PKK Terror Organization in Türkiye’s Contemporary Security Issues

The conflict between Türkiye and the Kurds has a long history, dating back to the establishment of the modern Turkish Republic. Policies of Turkification and marginalization toward minorities have contributed to systemic injustices against the Kurds, fostering resistance movements, among which Abdullah Öcalan’s Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan (PKK) is the most prominent. Initially advocating for an independent Kurdistan, the PKK later shifted its objective toward securing greater autonomy for the Kurdish people. However, the organization’s methods, characterized by radicalism and acts of terror, have posed significant national security challenges for Türkiye. Despite peace negotiations between 2012 and 2015, hostilities resurged, leading to a renewed cycle of conflict and violence. This study examines Türkiye’s response to the breakdown of the peace process with the PKK through securitization efforts. The analysis employs the securitization theory, focusing on two key variables: the speech act and extraordinary measures. The study explores how securitization is orchestrated by state actors, particularly President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, with the intended audience being Türkiye’s citizens and the international community. This research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of Türkiye’s security dynamics by assessing the PKK insurgency in the post-peace process period.