The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) is a militant political organization founded in 1978, primarily advocating for the rights of the Kurdish people in Turkey. The PKK initially sought an independent Kurdish state but later shifted its focus to greater autonomy and cultural rights within Turkey. The group has been involved in an armed conflict with the Turkish government since the 1980s. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. Despite this designation, the PKK has significant support among many Kurds and has played a crucial role in Kurdish political movements. The organization is often associated with the broader struggle for Kurdish rights in the region, including in neighboring countries like Iraq and Syria.