This document summarizes the recent political turmoil and conflict in Turkey. It describes Turkey's ongoing conflict with Kurdish separatists (PKK) and the fragile peace that broke down in recent years. It also discusses anti-government protests in 2013, Turkey's decision to join the fight against ISIL after a terrorist attack in 2015, and the government's renewed military campaign against the PKK. However, the international community believes the government is more focused on suppressing Kurds than fighting ISIL. Rising tensions and instability have harmed Turkey's economy and increased fears of civil war. Journalists and opposition voices are also being attacked as President Erdogan consolidates power.

1. By Caitlin Hinton
Stable History
Turkey has always been a bright spot in the Middle East. The country is an
economic and diplomatic leader in the region, a charter member of the United
Nations, and a founding member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation
and Development.
Seeds of Discontent
From 1984 to 2013, the Turkish government struggled to control the Kurdistan
Workers’ Party, or PKK; a Kurdish separatist group fighting for self-determination
for the thousands of Kurds living in Turkey. During that time, over 40,000 lives
were lost, thousands upon thousands of Kurds were displaced, and Turkish
security forces burned over 3,000 Kurdish villages. Peace talks were conducted
in 2012 and a fragile truce was maintained until recently. PKK is now considered
by many Western countries to be a terrorist organization, having attacked both
military and civilian targets in Turkey, France, Belgium, and Iraq. Most of its
training camps are hidden in the mountains on the border between Iraq and
Turkey.
Alongside the ongoing Turkish-Kurdish conflict, government power began to
erode with the Gezi Park demonstrations in 2013. On May 27, citizens flocked to
Taksim Gezi Park in Istanbul to hold a sit-in protesting the proposed demolition of
the park by developers. When the police became violent, the sit-in devolved into
an anti-government riot. Constantly compared to the Occupy Movement in the
United States because of the numerous issues and decentralized leadership, the
protests continued until late August 2013. The seed of disillusionment with the
government was planted.
The Turning Point
On July 20, 2015, a bomb was detonated at the Amara Cultural Centre in the
Suruc district of Turkey, killing 33 people and injuring over 100. Most victims
were part of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed Youth Wing, a group dedicated
to reconstructing the Syrian border town of Kobani, which had been completely
destroyed by ISIL. The next day, ISIL claimed responsibility and ended Turkey’s
policy of inaction towards the organization. Less than a week after the Suruc
bombing, Turkish troops and ISIL militants were engaged on the border.
The Turkish government tried to avoid military action against ISIL because it was
sure action would provoke and strengthen Kurdish militias. However, because of
this unprovoked attack on its own soil, Turkey became a leader against ISIL in

2. the region, agreeing to let the United States use Turkish military bases to stage
airstrikes.
Really Just an Attack on the Kurds?
Soon after attacking ISIL militants, the Turkish government and President
Erdogan began waging airstrikes on PKK camps in Northern Iraq and Syria,
ending the delicate peace established in 2012. Expanding the scope of attack to
include PKK, instead of just ISIL, has provoked an outcry from the international
community, with some saying the government and its leaders are more focused
on suppressing Kurds rather than fighting ISIL.
In August, PKK carried out a suicide attack on Turkish military police, killing two
officers and wounding 31 people. The Turkish president Recep Tayyip Ergodan
claimed peace with PKK is impossible at this point, and a collapsed ceasefire
process has caused tension in the country.
On August 14th, Turkey’s two political parties failed to form a coalition
government, further increasing instability and making a fair election seem less
likely. President Erdogan announced a new election will be held on November
1st, with the goal of breaking the impasse between the four political parties. Some
Turkish people are not convinced this will solve the problem.
Why Does the International Community Care?
As of September 15th, citizens are fearful that civil war is on the horizon, the
economy will plummet and bombings will continue to disrupt everyday life and
tourism. They blame President Erdogan, accusing him of stoking nationalism
against the Kurds and reigniting the old conflicts.
Many citizens and members of the international community are also worried
about the economic situation, since Turkey has historically been a strong
economic leader in the region. In the last few years, this picture has changed due
to long-term structural problems, and experts like Foreign Policy magazine claim
Turkey faces issues like rising inflation, slowing growth, increased unemployment
and overall debt. The IMF expects a growth rate of only 3% in 2015 and 2016, as
opposed to past rates of 7%. Experts say fundamental economic reform is
desperately needed, but with President Erdogan’s attention elsewhere, it is
unlikely that will be a top priority soon.
Should We Be Hopeful the Situation Will Turn Around?
Opposition newspapers are increasingly threatened when they write anything
negative about President Erdogan. Last week, angry mobs attacked Hurriyet, a
prominent newspaper that opposes the president, breaking windows and trying to
storm the building. During the last two weeks, opposition journalists have been

3. deported, investigated, and raided. Although Turkey was never a safe place for
journalists, ranking 149th out of 180 countries on the Reporters Without Borders
freedom index, the recent attacks have been incredibly violent and mostly
inspired by the country’s politicians. The president has barely responded to the
attacks, drawing criticism from the international media.
The security situation in Turkey has escalated quickly since July, but most of the
issues are decades old. Without any change in the developments, civil war is a
very real possibility.