Turkish Communist Party Marxist-Leninist (TKP/ML-TIKKO) 



Origins

This group traces its origins to a Maoist ideological youth group called the Revolutionary Shining Proletariat (DPA). When the DPA eventually split, one of the members, Ibrahim Kaypakkaya, then created the TKP/ML in 1972. Since then there have been at least two splits within this armed group: one in 1987 and one in 1994.
In 1987, three fractions opposed to the “official” fraction, known as TKP/ML-Conference, were formed: TKP/ML-BABK (Committee for the Region of Western Anatolia); TKP/ML-DABK (Committee for the Region of Eastern Anatolia), an organization that has since lost its significance; and the Committee for the Region of Kurdistan (KBK).
At the end of 2002, TKP(ML)-DABK was renamed as the Maoist Communist Party (MKP) , which is active in and around the Tunceli region of Turkey.  

In 1994, there was a second internal struggle from which two fractions (both choosing the same name) resulted: TKP/ML and the TKP(ML).  

Jacques Baud adds that in 1995 in order to attract its former members, TKP/ML changed its name to the United TKP-ML; while  its military wing was named the New People’s Army.  

 

Location / Main area of operation

This armed group operates in Turkey, particularly, in the region of Tunceli. Additionally, there have been reports of sympathizers throughout Western Europe, particularly in Germany.


Objectives

The TKP/ML embraces Marxist and Leninist ideologies, i.e. the establishment of a society without classes or State. In addition, it is opposed to imperialism, which it equates to a Western presence in Turkey.

Number of Members


There is little information in this respect. According to the IISS Armed Conflict Database, this armed group has an estimated strength of 1,000 members.

 

Type : National

Since the majority of its actions have been limited to Turkish territory, the TKP/ML is considered a national non-state armed group.

Conflict Status : Active

Although it has been significantly weakened as a result of internal struggles and the detention of hundreds of its members during the last two decades, the TKP/ML continues to conduct armed operations in Turkey at a low intensity, mainly against government and Western targets. Equally, it has been reported that its military wing, called the Turkish Workers’ and Peasants’ Liberation Army (Türkiye Isci Koylu Kurtulus Ordusu) (TIKKO) has also reduced its armed operations since 1999. In addition, on 18 May 2006, seven people, including Halil Sahin (alias “Dede Ellez”), the highest leader of the TKP/ML, were detained, as well as organizational documents and weapons seized in Nigde in southern Turkey.

Structure of the organization

The TKP/ML is composed of military and political wings, as well as a youth structure and an information service.

The military wing, called the TIKKO, was created at the inception of the TKP/ML in 1972 with the objective to carry out the popular war by establishing “freed zones.” Its members reportedly receive military training and advanced lessons on Marxist and Leninist ideologies in bases in Turkey and the Middle East. While in urban areas, however, the members typically operate in small cells of 4 to 5 members.
The youth structure of the group is known as Türkiye Marksist-Leninist Gençlik Birligi (TMLGB). The information service issues a monthly newsletter called Isçi Köylü Kurtulusu (I.K.K.), Proletarians and Peasants Liberation, which is distributed among the members of the group.
 

Leadership

In a TKP/ML-issued communiqué, the group acknowledged the short span of its leaders: between 1972 and 1997, the group lost four of its highest leaders, namely the Secretary-General of the movement. Ibrahim Kaypakkaya, who was also the founder and leader of the group, died in a Turkish prison on 18 May 1973, allegedly due to torture-induced injuries; his successor also died in prison on 15 October 1981. The third Secretary-General of the movement died while in combat with the Turkish army on 20 May 1987. Mehmet Demirdag, the fourth Secretary-General died in similar circumstances on 23 November 1997.
It has also been reported that the leader of the military wing of this armed group in Istanbul was detained in September 2000 by Turkish authorities. Additionally, on 18 May 2006, Halil Sahin, then the highest leader of the TKP/ML, was detained along with six other members in Nigde, in southern Turkey.
 

External aid/Third party involvement

As to external aid, it is worth mentioning that a member of the TKP/ML’s military wing, Kemal Erturk, who was detained for a bomb attack in March 1999 against Ayhan Cevik, then-governor of Cakiri, declared that several members of the TKP/ML were trained in the use of explosives in Lebanon and Greece. However, there is no evidence that the governments of these states have been involved in the training.

It is also interesting to note that the TKP/ML is ideologically close to the New People’s Army in the Philippines; and its leader and ideologue Sison.
 

External effects of the NSAG's armed activities

There is no information of any external effect of the armed operations of this group.

 

Funding

While little information is available regarding the sources of the TKP/ML's funding, it is clear that some of its funds were raised abroad. In June 2006, six persons were arrested in France for allegedly raising funds and recruiting members; the same press source added that in the 1990s several of the group's members were convicted for involvement in an extortion racket over Turkish businesses in France.

Relationship with the international community

This armed group is not currently listed as a terrorist organization either by the U.S. Department of State or the European Union.

Books

  • Balencie, J-M and De La Grange, A. (2005), Les Nouveaux Mondes rebelles (Paris: éditions Michalon).
  • Baud, Jacques (2003), Encyclopédie des terrorismes et violences politiques (Panazol: Lavauzelle).
     

Articles and Chapters

  • Cline, L.E., “From Ocalan to Al Qaida: The Continuing Terrorist Threat in Turkey,” 27.4 Studies in Conflict and Terrorism (2004), at 321-335.
  • Donmez, R. (2004), “Turkey,” in Bogdan Szajkowski (ed), Revolutionary and Dissident Movements of the World (London: John Harper Publishing), at 485-490.
     

Reports and resolutions of intergovernmental organizations

  • EU Council, Common Position of 27 December 2001 on the Application of Specific Measures to Combat Terrorism, Doc. No. 2001/931/CFSP, Official Journal of the European Communities L 344/93, 28.12.2001.
  • EU Council, Common Position 2006/380/CFSP of 29 May 2006, Official Journal of the European Communities L 144/25, 31.05.2006.
     

Governmental reports

  • U.S. Department of State, 2003 Patterns of Global Terrorism Report, April 2004, Appendix C, Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C), at 135, available at link
  • U.S. Department of State, Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), Fact Sheet
    Office of Counterterrorism, Washington D.C., 11 October 2005, available at link

 

Reports of think tanks and non-governmental organizations

Press Information (in chronological order)

  • “Three Suspected Leftist Terrorists Killed,” Turkish Daily News, 18 October 2005.
  • “Seven Detained in Operation Against Terrorists in Southern Turkey,” BBC Monitoring Europe, 19 May 2006.
  • “Six Arrested in France for Funding Outlawed Group,” Turkish Daily News, 29 June 2006.
     

Interviews

  • Interview with Turkey expert, Geneva, 25 October 2007

Internet resources

  • Etoilerouge, Qu’est-ce que c’est le TKP(ML)-TIKKO ?, available at link (website created by supporters of the group in France)
  • IISS Armed Conflict Database, Non State Armed Groups, TKP / ML-TIKKO / Turkiye Komunist Partisi / Marksist-Leninist- Turkiye Isci Koylu Kurtulus Ordusu, available at link
  • National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, TKP/ML-TIKKO, available at link
     

Statements of the armed group

  • The Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist Leninist, The TKP/ML, Representative of the International Proletariat Secretariat in Turkey and Turkish Kurdistan, has lost its 4th Secretary General in the heat of the Struggle!, December 1997, available at link

 

Agreements involving armed groups