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 Marxist-Leninist ideology, the PKK has shifted towards seeking greater autonomy and cultural rights for Kurds within Turkey. The PKK has been involved in an armed conflict with the Turkish government since the 1980s, leading to significant violence and loss of life. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, while some view it as a legitimate liberation movement for the Kurdish population.