THE POLITICIZATION OF KURDISH SEPARATIST MOVEMENTS IN THE MIDDLE EAST

This paper examines the development of Kurdish separatist movements in the Middle East, focusing on the impact of international treaties such as the Sykes-Picot and the Treaty of Sèvres, which promised the establishment of a Kurdish state. These movements, although varied in each country, share the common feature of receiving external support from foreign powers since World War I. In Iraq, Kurdish political efforts were influenced by British, Soviet, and American involvement, with leaders like Mustafa Barzani advocating for autonomy, yet facing conflicts with the central government. While agreements in the 1970s promised Kurdish autonomy, these were weakened by regional power shifts. In Syria, French support for Kurdish cultural rights was limited, and political demands were largely rejected by the Assad regime, which later supported Kurdish groups such as the PKK. In Iran, the establishment of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDPI) in 1942 marked the beginning of Kurdish political activity, though the short-lived Kurdish Republic of 1946 and subsequent conflicts with the Iranian government highlighted the challenges of achieving Kurdish autonomy. In Turkey, the Kurdish movement evolved through several stages, from early uprisings such as the Sheikh Said Rebellion to the formation of political parties like the TKDP in 1965.