PKK Leadership & leadership structure

1. PKK Leadership & leadership structure DeKalaha Baptiste

2. Abdullah Öcalan Ruled with an “iron fist” Wanted to be known as the ONLY leader.

3. Political and Military wings • Responsible for planning attacks against the Turkish military • Led to them being classified as a separatist terrorist organization • Political committees, operated within umbrella organization • Ties to the Democratic Society Party (DTP)

4. Leadership structure Before Arrest After Arrest • Crisis for the group • Three leaders stepped forward • Shared leadership • Öcalan still managed to lead (from prison) • Ultimately stopped functioning (2002) • Hierarchical Model • Consisted of an Inner Circle • Ocalan called the shots, and funneled the orders • No decisions made without Ocalan’s approval

5. Currently • Now known as the KADEK “Congress for Freedom & Democracy in Kurdistan • Ocalan’s recent call to “cease fire” (ends 30 war against Turkish power)

6. SO? • Overall, leadership was organized. • However, too dependent on Öcalan. • Ocalan’s dictatorship can be seen as both benefiting and harming the group