Key facts
- The Turkey–Kurdish Conflict is an insurgency in the Middle East, currently Active (Medium intensity).
- The decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) includes operations inside Turkey and across the borders with Iraq and Syria, with periodic moves toward a peace process.
- Key actors: Turkish armed forces, Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Kurdish forces in Syria/Iraq.
- What's at stake: Peace process, Cross-border operations, Regional alignments.
Latest developments
The headlines below are pulled automatically from Google News (the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) and link to primary reporting. They are updated periodically; last refreshed 2026-06-21.
- Conflict Between Turkey and Armed Kurdish Groups | Global Conflict Tracker2026-02-18 — Council on Foreign Relations
- Iran war brings Turkey-PKK peace process to near standstill2026-05-13 — Reuters
- Turkey-PKK peace process stalls amid disarmament dispute2026-05-07 — The New Arab
- DEM Party co-chair vows to break impasse in Turkey's peace process2026-05-26 — Rudaw
- Imprisoned PKK leader calls for new laws that would advance peace with the Turkish government2026-02-27 — AP News
- Turkish lawmakers to vote on report advancing PKK peace process2026-02-18 — Al-Monitor
- Jailed PKK leader says laws needed to shore up Turkey’s peace process2026-02-28 — The Arab Weekly
- Turkey’s peace initiative with Kurdish militants has been ‘frozen,’ senior PKK figure says2026-04-30 — Turkish Minute
Overview
The decades-long conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) includes operations inside Turkey and across the borders with Iraq and Syria, with periodic moves toward a peace process.
This page is an evergreen orientation. Figures and control change continually — confirm the latest with the primary sources listed below.
Key actors
- Turkish armed forces — conducting domestic and cross-border operations.
- Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) — the principal armed group.
- Kurdish forces in Syria/Iraq — linked groups across borders.
- Civilian population — affected in the conflict zones.
What's at stake
- Peace process: prospects for a durable settlement.
- Cross-border operations: actions in Iraq and Syria.
- Regional alignments: links to the Syrian conflict.
- Civilian security: impact in affected areas.
Turkey-Kurdish Conflict explained: the key dynamics
A decades-long insurgency
The conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has run since 1984, alternating between intense fighting, ceasefires, and failed peace efforts.
A cross-border theater
Turkish operations extend into northern Iraq and Syria, where Kurdish armed groups linked to or allied with the PKK operate, tying the conflict to the Syrian war and regional dynamics.
A tentative peace track
Periodic moves toward a peace process have raised the possibility of winding down the insurgency, though such efforts have repeatedly stalled in the past.
Timeline: how the turkey-kurdish conflict unfolded
- 1984 — The PKK launches its insurgency against the Turkish state.
- 2013–15 — A ceasefire and peace process collapse, renewing fighting.
- 2016–20 — Turkey conducts cross-border operations in Syria and Iraq.
- 2024–26 — New steps toward a peace process emerge amid continued operations.
How this conflict is mapped and tracked
The conflict spans Turkey, Iraq, and Syria, which ACLED tracks as cross-border operations and clashes, with UCDP recording the long-running PKK dyad. Because it crosses borders and involves allied groups, the conflict is best read regionally; figures are estimates.
For how these datasets differ, see ACLED vs UCDP vs CFR and our guide to conflict-tracking tools.
How it fits the global picture
This is one of 29 active armed conflict theaters tracked on the Global Armed Conflicts Map. Explore related and concurrent conflicts:
Frequently asked questions
Is the Turkey-Kurdish conflict ongoing in 2026?
The conflict continues at a reduced level with periodic operations and steps toward a peace process. Confirm the current status with primary sources such as ACLED, UCDP, and the CFR Global Conflict Tracker.
What is the PKK?
The Kurdistan Workers' Party is an armed group that has fought the Turkish state since 1984.
How can I follow it live?
Use the interactive conflict map to see this theater alongside 28 other active conflicts, filter by intensity and region, and open intelligence briefings for each.
Who are the PKK?
The Kurdistan Workers' Party is a Kurdish armed group that has fought the Turkish state since 1984, seeking greater rights and autonomy for Kurds. It is designated a terrorist organization by Turkey and some others.
How is this linked to Syria?
Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria are linked to or allied with the PKK in Turkey's view, which is why Turkish operations extend across the border and connect to the wider Syrian conflict.