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Abdullah Ocalan and the PKK


Abdullah Ocalan and the PKK

  • 1978: Ocalan founds the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK.
  • 1984: Kurdish rebels begin an armed struggle in southeastern Turkey
  • 1999: Ocalan is captured in Kenya, brought to Turkey and sentenced to death.
  • 2002: Ocalan's sentence commuted to life in prison
  • 2012: PKK fighting intensifies, imprisoned Kurds go on hunger strike for two months
  • 2013: Ocalan meets with Turkish officials in prison, calls for cease-fire.
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