The conflict between Turkey and the PKK broke out in summer 2015 following a two-year-long peace negotiations , which began in late 2012 , but failed to progress in light of the growing tensions on border with Syria in late 2014 , when Turkey prevented Kurds sending support to their militants who were fighting against ISIS during the Siege of Kobani . Turkey was accused of assisting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant ( ISIL ) during the crisis , resulting in widespread Kurdish riots in Turkey involving dozens of fatalities . The tensions further escalated in summer 2015 with the July 20 bombing in Suruç . On July 21 , the PKK allegedly carried out a '' revenge '' attack and killed a Turkish soldier and wounded two more in Adıyaman . Some PKK supporters then claimed responsibility for the July 23 killing of two Turkish police officers in Ceylanpinar , describing it as a retaliation . A week after , Group of Communities in Kurdistan ( KCK ) spokesman Demhat Agit denied official PKK involvement , saying " these are the units independent from the PKK . They are local forces which organized themselves and not affiliated with us . " On 24 July 2015 , Turkey announced an official military operation against PKK targets in Iraqi Kurdistan and Rojava respectively , claiming to inflict dozens of fatalities on PKK fronts – which caused the PKK to withdraw from the peace talks and announce a full-scale rebellion against the government . The same day , Turkey also performed a nationwide crackdown on so-called PKK operatives , arresting hundreds , including Peoples ' Democratic Party members and leaders . The conflict then escalated , with PKK and its affiliated militias staging attacks across the country , and Turkish forces attacks in the form of aerial bombardments and operations in the east of the country , including the Siege of Cizre in September 2015 . In October 2015 , the PKK declared a unilateral ceasefire for the November general elections
July 20 bombing in Suruç
2015 Suruç bombing
Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)