ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the transformation of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) during its counterterrorism operations against the terrorist organization the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK/KCK). The technological and organizational adaptation of TAF’s fire and maneuver units is claimed to have gradually transformed its doctrine. As a result, at the end of the first quarter of the 21st century TAF has become a modern system force with a high capability for precision engagement. Accordingly, their counterterrorism strategy has changed from personnel-intense, search-and-destroy campaigns into an intelligence-driven, find-fix-fight concept. TAF’s transformation has changed the character of conflict and inevitably forced PKK/KCK to change its strategy and tactics. The main motivation behind this change was offsetting the technological asymmetry. Meanwhile, this deliberate change seems not to have been enough to save the PKK’s political ambitions in the region.
