The Turkey–Kurdish Conflict
A neutral, source-attributed briefing on the Turkey–Kurdish conflict — the PKK insurgency, cross-border operations, and a tentative peace track.
Open the live conflict map → Common questionsLast updated: 2026-08-06 · Evergreen briefing — the live map and the headlines below carry the latest developments.
Key locations: Turkey-Kurdish Conflict
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Ankaracity39.9334, 32.8597
Capital of Turkey and seat of the government negotiating the PKK peace and disarmament process.
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Diyarbakircity37.9144, 40.2306
Largest Kurdish-majority city in southeastern Turkey and a center of Kurdish political life.
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Qandil Mountainsregion36.5000, 44.9000
Mountainous range in Iraqi Kurdistan near the Iran border that has served as the PKK's main base area for decades.
Control: Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) operational base, though the group announced its intent to disarm and disband in 2025 — Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker, as of 2026-07-29
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Sinjarregion36.3209, 41.8767
Yazidi-majority district in northern Iraq where Turkey has conducted strikes against PKK-linked forces.
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Imrali Islandregion40.5500, 28.6500
Sea of Marmara prison island holding PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan, who called for the group's disbandment in February 2025.
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Zakhoborder37.1447, 42.6863
Iraqi Kurdistan border town near Turkish military outposts established under Turkey's cross-border Operation Claw campaign.
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Kobaniborder36.8909, 38.3534
Syrian border city that became a symbol of Kurdish YPG resistance against the Islamic State and a recurring flashpoint in Turkey-Syria tensions.
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Qamishlicity37.0522, 41.2189
Largest city in Syria's Kurdish-majority northeast, whose SDF forces signed an accord to integrate with Syria's post-Assad armed forces after 2024.
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 2026-08-06.
- Turkish parliament indicates support for PKK peace bill2026-08-05 — Courthouse News
- Turkey files bill to advance peace effort2026-08-06 — The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
- How Turkey's PKK amnesty law entwines Kurds' hopes with Erdogan's ambitions2026-08-05 — Al-Monitor
- Turkey-PKK talks: Is peace finally possible?2026-07-22 — DW.com
- Turkey unveils draft law to reintegrate PKK militants, achieve peace2026-08-05 — Reuters
- Bill aiming for peace between Turkey and Kurdish fighters goes to parliament2026-08-05 — The Washington Post
- Türkiye's National Security Council Reviews PKK Disarmament as Peace Process Advances2026-08-06 — Kurdistan24
- Turkey aiming to end conflict with, disband Kurdistan Workers Party2026-08-05 — The Jerusalem Post
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.
Turkey–Kurdish Conflict
Turkey has conducted armed conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) since 1984. The conflict, which has killed an estimated 40,000 people over four decades, continues primarily through Turkish military operations in northern Iraq's Qandil Mountains and Mahmur region, and in northeastern Syria against the PKK-affiliated People's Defence Units (YPG) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Turkish drone and aerial campaigns, combined with ground operations by special forces and Turkish-backed Syrian factions, have targeted PKK military infrastructure along the Iraq-Turkey and Syria-Turkey borders. PKK and related groups have conducted attacks inside Turkey, particularly against military personnel and security infrastructure.
A potential new peace process has been cautiously explored following statements by jailed PKK founder Abdullah Öcalan in early 2025 calling for disarmament. This represents a significant departure from prior impasses, though substantive negotiations have not begun and the PKK's external leadership has not formally endorsed Öcalan's position.
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.
Source provenance
- Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker 8 days · as of 2026-07-29
- News feed 0 days · as of 2026-08-06
| Date | Change | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-08-06 | Headlines refreshed | News feed |
| 2026-07-29 | Qandil Mountains control updated | Council on Foreign Relations, Global Conflict Tracker |