The Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is a militant political organization founded in 1978, primarily advocating for the rights of the Kurdish people in Turkey. Initially focused on armed struggle, the PKK has sought greater autonomy and cultural rights for Kurds, who are an ethnic group spread across several countries, including Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. Over the years, the group has been involved in a long-standing conflict with the Turkish government, leading to significant political and social tensions in the region. The PKK's leader, Abdullah Öcalan, has been imprisoned since 1999, influencing the group's strategies and ideologies.