Fact check: Since its foundation in 1984 more than 40 thousand people lost their lives because of PKK terrorism.

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

The death toll of approximately 40,000 since 1984 is supported by multiple sources, though exact numbers vary. The Anadolu Agency cites 36,345 deaths (until 2016), while the Uppsala Conflict Data Program records between 25,825–30,639 total casualties. Recent specific data shows continuing casualties, with 258 deaths recorded in 2023 alone.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

• The original statement omits the breakdown of casualties, which is crucial: approximately 6,741 civilians, 6,833 security forces, and over 40,000 PKK fighters according to Turkish security sources
• The PKK was actually founded in 1978, not 1984, with 1984 marking the beginning of armed conflict
• The statement presents casualties as one-sided "terrorism," while the conflict has involved military operations by both Turkish security forces and PKK militants
• The Uppsala Conflict Data Program, an independent source, provides significantly lower casualty figures than Turkish government sources, highlighting the challenge of accurate counting in long-term conflicts

3. Potential misinformation/bias:

• The term "terrorism" frames all deaths as resulting from PKK actions alone, while casualties have occurred on multiple sides of the conflict
• The statement's framing benefits the Turkish government's narrative by:

Presenting all casualties as victims of terrorism rather than participants in a complex conflict

Omitting the context of Kurdish political and cultural rights issues

• Simplifying a decades-long conflict into a single terrorism narrative
• Different counting methodologies and political interests lead to varying casualty figures, with government sources typically reporting higher numbers than independent international organizations