Turkish Paramilitarism in Northern Kurdistan: State Violence in the 1990s

This book explores the emergence,functioning,and deactivation of paramilitary groups established by the Turkish state during the armed conflict with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the 1990s,analyzing their violence against civilians in two regions of Northern Kurdistan.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of paramilitary groups and the complex relationship between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers Party (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan, PKK) during the protracted armed conflict that unfolded in the 1990s. The PKK initiated an armed struggle against the Turkish state in August 1984, resulting in a full-scale war that persisted throughout the decade. In response, the Turkish state established various new armed groups, many of which possessed a paramilitary nature. This research project aims to explore the origins, operations, and eventual deactivation of these paramilitary groups. It conducts a thorough analysis of their historical background, examining the transformations and continuities they experienced. Furthermore, the study scrutinizes the violence perpetrated by these paramilitary groups, particularly against civilians, in two regions of Northern Kurdistan: Batman province and Cizre district. By examining these aspects, the book sheds light on the complex web of factors that contributed to the armed conflict and its enduring impact on the region.

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate dynamics of paramilitary groups and the complex relationship between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers Party (Partiya Karkeren Kurdistan, PKK) during the protracted armed conflict that unfolded in the 1990s. The PKK initiated an armed struggle against the Turkish state in August 1984, resulting in a full-scale war that persisted throughout the decade. In response, the Turkish state established various new armed groups, many of which possessed a paramilitary nature. This research project aims to explore the origins, operations, and eventual deactivation of these paramilitary groups. It conducts a thorough analysis of their historical background, examining the transformations and continuities they experienced. Furthermore, the study scrutinizes the violence perpetrated by these paramilitary groups, particularly against civilians, in two regions of Northern Kurdistan: Batman province and Cizre district. By examining these aspects, the book sheds light on the complex web of factors that contributed to the armed conflict and its enduring impact on the region.

Weight: 558g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781399505987