ABSTRACT
This chapter analyzes whether Turkey’s struggle against the PKK was civil conflict or not. The chapter reviews literature on the causes of civil conflict and operational definitions. Then, history of the conflict between Turkey and the PKK is elaborated within the framework of this literature and operational definitions in order to identify the peace process. In line with the findings, it is argued that Turkey’s struggle against the PKK was a civil conflict rather than a struggle against terrorism. Therefore, the peace process could be looked at in the context of post-conflict peace-building theories.
