Identify a nationalist or ethnic separatist group that has resorted to violence to further their cause

Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK)

The Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) is a paramilitary arm of the Kurdish tribe that intends to form their autonomous nation, the Kurdistan Republic. The group's motivation arises because the ethnic group has a significant population enough to create a state. However, the tribe is divided by geographical boundaries, thus making its members a minority ethnic group spread across northern Iraq, Southern Syria, and Turkey. As minorities in the various countries, the Kurds cannot change the political equation significantly and have suffered discrimination by majority ethnicities that control government. Islam is the most predominant religion among the Kurds and inspires the fighters.

The group has always used armed struggle to craft a nation among those countries, thus enjoying sovereignty like any other independent state. However, the geopolitical environment has not favored its operations, with the countries countering every attempt to create a Kurdish state. Iraq and Syria have been unstable in the recent decade, yet the reality has not supported PKK's operations. Terrorist groups have always filled the gap left by weaker governments, hindering operations. Turkey has been stable and has a strong army, thus offering the most significant resistance to PKK. According to Boylan (2016), PKK could be a terrorist group that has taken advantage of the failed states of Iraq and Syria to gain ground. The group’s fight for political legitimacy has been shrouded by controversy over its source of funds and inspiration.

The group has also distinguished itself from terrorist organizations and has strived to form a professional army that employs conventional military tactics. The most recent operation involving PKK has been flushing out the Islamic State insurgents from northern Iraq and Syria. PKK collaborated with a coalition of armies, including the American military. The dream of a Kurdish state remains alive even though the surrounding governments do not tolerate the idea.