The Differences Between Long Term Separatist Terrorism And Separatism Explaining On The Behalf Of Ethnicity And Nationalism On The Case of PKK

Separatism is the ideas or activities advocating separation of a group or a territorial unit from a state (country), state institutions, or a larger group, usually in the form of autonomy or independence. Separatists seek nationalist aims, usually desiring to secure self-determination or home-rule for a certain faction or geographic community. Long-Term Separatist terrorists (also called nationalist terrorists) use acts of terror to force the creation of a new state, or to join with another existing nation with which the separatist community is closely aligned. Unlike religious terrorists,separatists usually have a clear-cut,achievable goal,and they are usually not imbued with the nihilism of ideological groups with pure “absolute“ goals.

 What separates ethnic and nationalist(separatist) terrorism from other forms of terror? Firstly,wars are asymmetrical and pits small groups of separatists against larger government forces.Also most common tactics are asymmetric warfare, terrorism.Secondly, Separatists have a clear cut, achievable goal-not Nihilistic ideology with pure "absolute" goals. Nihilism means rejecting all religious and moral principles in the belief that life is meaningless and presents opportunities for political pragmatism and negotiation.The third,moving to the negotiating table often settles differences. However, governments have been hesitant to do this. Political accommodation is the most effective method to end this type of terrorism.And finally according to Byman ethnic terrorism is more nationalistic than their religious counterparts. We can give examples of ethnic terrorist groups as follows; The Liberian Tigers Of Tamil Eelam (LTTE),The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK),The Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), The ETA. Violence plays a special role in ethnic terrorism. Violence sustains the conflict,even when political objectives are far out of reach.

On the other hand, another subject we need to talk about is PKK case of ethnic and nationalist Separatism. PKK is a terrorist organization. The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization internationally by numerous countries, including the members of the European Union and others such as United States, Canada and Australia. European Union also designated PKK as a terrorist entity in 2004. North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) also refers to PKK as a terrorist entity.PKK's ideology is founded on revolutionary Marxism-Leninism and separatist ethno-nationalism. PKK wants to suppress the diversity of Türkiye, prevent participation and integration of Türkiye’s citizens of Kurdish origin and intimidate the people in the region. PKK’s primary targets include police, military, economic, and social assets in Türkiye. PKK attacks on civilians and diplomatic and consular facilities. PKK is also involved in extortion, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking.

The roots of the conflict go back to the late ottoman era ,mid-1800s.The Kurds," who constitute the largest ethnic block after the Arabs,Persians, and Turks in the Middle East” despite some minor problems this system had been able to survive till 19th century.

According to Barkey and Fuller centralization attemps and more need for warfare in 19th century, caused kurdish issue to emerge. During the WWI and independence wars Kurds fought against Western invaders together respectively with Ottomans and Turks hoping that after the liberation a joint state of Turks and Kurds will be established.

Yet after the establishment of the Republic in 1923 the speeches and attitudes of Turkish leaders completely changed and new republic was claimed to be a Turkish republic. Since the late Ottoman era and establishment of the Republic which is based on Turkish identity, assimilation securitization of the Kurdish question and even denial of Kurdish existence. It's claimed that there have been 28 Kurdish rebellion. Among them are Koggiri (1921), Seyh Said (1925), Agri (1926), Dersim (1937) and lastly the PKK (Kurdistan Woters Party-1984). Except for PKK all the rest have been local and short, yet PKK was formed in 1979 and started armed rebellion in 1984 and continue today. As mentioned, the PKK is a nationalist separatist terrorism group.PKK provides its financing  ın terms of organized crime activities, arms smuggling, drug smuggling, extortion under the name of 'revolution tax', human trafficking and smuggling can be mentioned.

The purpose of the PKK; To unite the southeastern region of Turkey, a part of the eastern region, parts of Syria, Iran and Iraq and establish a great Kurdistan. A party that directly represents the Kurdish people (HDP) displays a war stance despite entering an environment (parliament) where it is unarmed and can be easily fought with all kinds of views that are said to be its aim. PKK's ideology is founded on revolutionary Marxism-Leninism and separatist ethno-nationalism.

Mert METİNER

Resources

https://www.encyclopedia.com/politics/energy-government-and-defense-magazines/introduction-separatist-terrorism

https://quizlet.com/163274073/ch-6-govt-480-flash-cards/