Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, tensions between Kurds and Turkey were evident. When a newly formed republic emerged in 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, a strong sense of nationalism swept through the country. Many aspects of society have experienced a period of Turkification. Turkey refused to recognize any other ethnic groups within its borders, a strict language policy was implemented, and virtually all non-Turkish elements of society were suppressed. Policies were implemented and enforced with heavy prison sentences and media censorship was brutal. The problem with all these policies is that the Kurds are not Turkish, they are an ethnically distinct group living in the contiguous mountainous areas bordering Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. They are a very proud people, with a strong cultural and linguistic identity, who over the last century have been subjected to intense scrutiny and oppression from Turkish regimes. Through this oppression, we witness attempts at Kurdish autonomy in the 1920s and 1930s with the eventual development of the PKK in 1978. This terrorist organization is led by Abdullah Öcalan and its intentions are to obtain cultural and political rights for the Kurds as well as a right to vote. autonomous government separated from Turkish domination. Since the first armed attack on Turkish soldiers in 1984, the PKK campaign has used armed violence to achieve its goals. These tactics include kidnappings of government officials, destruction of infrastructure to prevent investment in Kurdish-inhabited regions, firefights with the Turkish military, and drug trafficking to generate funds. The Kurdish problem has cost around 35,000 lives, displaced even more, and created economic problems and...... middle of paper ...... of this conflict has been detrimental to the advancement not only Turkey but the rest of the region as well. Although there are still obstacles to overcome, progress has been made in international relations through peace and military agreements, Kurdish political parties, although treading lightly, have gained more support and support. influence in the government, and the KRG became an economic partner of Turkey. as well as other international actors such as the United States. The Kurdish question is of a complexity which requires cooperation on both sides and a dilution of the armed conflict. Nationalist ideals must be put aside in order to improve human rights, which can offer solutions for equality while increasing the prosperity of the entire region. Once Kurds are treated as equals, terrorism will stop, investments will increase and prosperity for all will occur..