Escalation in Turkey-PKK Conflict

By Rachel Leis

Tensions between Turkey and the PKK continues with no subsiding. On February 4th their were Turkish airstrikes against suspected PKK military bases, with unknown causalities and deaths. About a week later approximately thirteen PKK members have been killed by Turkish groups. Throughout the years of consistent violence and battles between the PKK and Turkey's military there has been an acclaimed tens of thousands of deaths. There seems to be no subsiding of violent efforts on either side. In one current example of Turkish military escalation, their new military slogan has been stated as "We will wipe out terrorism." 

Turkey plans on eliminating PKK politcal openings and defeat them militarily. They have planned to diminish Kurd support and credibility by publicizing the violent clashes amongst the PKK and other Kurdish organization in hopes for loss of enthusiasts. The Turkish state claims it will defeat them militarily by "not leaving any space for the PKK inthe mountains of Kurdistan and by bombing everything moving in the area wherePKK has taken up position." PKK efforts have gained political stances and continue with strategic military warfare. Top PKK commander Bayik claimed,

"The war will spread to every area, fromthe mountains to the cities. The PKK would be targetingTurkish military powers, the police and counter guerrilla units, as well asTurkish administrative and political authorities who participate in the centerof this war." 

It was made clear by Bayik that civilians are not a target and will be not at harm. Through all this effort and malicious death is their no reconciling between the Kurds and Turkey? The PKK does violate Turkey's territorial intergrity and political soverignty which is an act of warfare aggression. But can one call war upon another without being a state in itself? It seems to me that Turkey is violating the right of it's peoples self-determination. If a sufficient amount want political and territorial independence they should have the right to do so. Under what circumstances I question. What constitutes as a group of terroist or a liberation group?