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1/4 Kurds in Turkey: Political Parties, Armed Groups, and Key Figures

By Martin Aslan

The Kurdish people, one of the largest stateless ethnic group in the world, are spread across multiple countries, with significant populations in Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Iran. While each country has its own policies and approaches toward its Kurdish population, the Kurds have historically sought greater political representation, cultural recognition, and, in some cases, autonomy or independence.

This article examines the Kurdish presence in these four states, highlighting their political parties, armed groups, and key figures. It explores the complex relationship between the Kurdish movements and the governments of these countries, detailing both political engagement and armed resistance. From Turkey’s pro-Kurdish political struggles to Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, without forgetting Syria’s self-governing Rojava, and Iran’s Kurdish opposition movements, this overview provides insight into the evolving Kurdish question in the Middle East.

Turkey is the country with the largest Kurdish population in the world. Mainly concentrated in the south-eastern quarter of the country, they represent 20% of the Turkish population. Unlike Iraq, where there is an official Kurdistan Region, Turkey does not officially recognize the existence of a Kurdish administrative region.


Political parties

The “Peoples' Democratic Party” (HDP) was a left-wing political party in Turkey founded in 2012 as a coalition of various progressive, pro-Kurdish, and leftist groups. It was dissolved in 2023 in favor of the creation of the DEM party. The party aims to promote democracy, human rights, gender equality, and minority rights, with a particular focus on advocating for the Kurdish population and other marginalized communities in Turkey. The HDP is known for its strong opposition to the Turkish government's policies, particularly in relation to Kurdish issues, and has faced significant political repression, including arrests of its leaders and members.

The “Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party” (DEM Party) is the main Kurdish political party in Turkey, founded in 2023. With 57 deputies (2023 elections) and almost 15,000 members, the party is co-led by Tülay Hatimoğulları and Tuncer Bakırhan. It is the direct heir of the “Party of the Greens and the Left Future / Green Left Party” (YSGP/YSP) and the “Peoples' Democratic Party” (HDP) created in 2012. The DEM Party continues the pro-Kurdish historical political struggle despite facing state repression, including party closures, legal cases, and arrests of its members.


Armed groups

The “Kurdistan Workers' Party” (PKK) is a revolutionary political organization founded in 1978. It has played a central role in the Kurdish nationalist movement, particularly in Turkey. The PKK engaged in an armed struggle for Kurdish autonomy and rights in Turkey, and then extended its presence to Syria, Iraq, and Iran, where affiliated groups has been operating with varying degrees of autonomy. The party is now considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States.

The “Kurdistan Communities Union” (KCK) is an umbrella organization that is uniting various Kurdish political and militant groups, primarily associated with the PKK. It was founded in 2005 as part of the PKK’s efforts to implement its ideology of Democratic Confederalism, which envisions decentralized grassroots governance beyond traditional state structures.

The “People’s Defense Forces” (HPG) is the armed wing of the PKK founded in 2000. It is serving as the main military force of the PKK, conducting guerrilla warfare primarily against the Turkish state in the mountains of southeastern Turkey and northern Iraq.

The “Civil Protection Units” (YPS) are a pro-Kurdish urban militia group in Turkey, affiliated with the PKK. The YPS was formed in December 2015 during the escalation of clashes between Kurdish militants and Turkish security forces after a reorganization of the “Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement” (YDG-H).


Key political figure

Abdullah Öcalan (~1948-) is the founder and leader of the PKK. Captured in 1999 and imprisoned on the island of İmralı, he remains an important figure of Kurdish politics, influencing movements in Turkey and the region. Despite his controversial role in the armed conflict, he has encouraged peace talks and democratic confederalism, pleading for decentralized governance and local democracy.




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