{{Short description|Maoist insurgent organisation in Turkey}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}} {{Infobox political party | name = Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist | native_name = Türkiye Komünist Partisi/Marksist-Leninist | native_name_lang = tr | logo = TKPML.svg | logo_size = 200px | colorcode = #DB261D | leader = | president = | chairman = | general_secretary = # [[İbrahim Kaypakkaya]] # [[Süleyman Cihan]] # Kazım Çelik # [[Mehmet Demirdağ]] # Unknown (present) | first_secretary = | secretary_general = | presidium = | secretary = | spokesperson = | founder = [[İbrahim Kaypakkaya]] | foundation = {{start date and age|1972|4|24}} | split = [[Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Party of Turkey|TİİKP]] | newspaper = * ''Communist'' * ''Liberation of the Workers and Peasants'' | youth_wing = TMLGB | wing1_title = Armed wing | wing1 = TİKKO | ideology = [[Communism]]<br />[[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism]] | position = [[Far-left politics|Far-left]] | headquarters = | national = [[Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement|HBDH]]<ref name="anfenglish.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.anfenglish.com/news/peoples-united-revolutionary-movement-established-for-a-joint-struggle|title=Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement established for a joint struggle|agency=Firat News Agency|date=1 March 2016|access-date=14 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314061916/http://www.anfenglish.com/news/peoples-united-revolutionary-movement-established-for-a-joint-struggle|archive-date=14 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tkpml.com|title=STATEMENT OF OUR PARTY, COMMUNIST PARTY OF TURKEY-MARXIST-LENINIST (TKP-ML) … {{!}} İşçi Köylü Kurtuluşu|website=tkpml.com}}</ref> (formerly) | international = [[International Freedom Battalion|IFB]] <br />ICL<ref>{{Cite web|title=ENTERNASYONAL KOMÜNİST BİRLİK KURULDU|date=3 January 2023|url=https://ikk-online14.net/enternasyonal-komunist-birlik-kuruldu.html|access-date=16 January 2023|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116224741/https://ikk-online14.net/enternasyonal-komunist-birlik-kuruldu.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><br />[[Revolutionary Internationalist Movement|RIM]] （formerly） | flag = [[File:Flag of Communist Party of Turkey-Marxist–Leninist.svg|200px]] | website = {{URL|https://www.tkpml6.net}} | country = Turkey }}
The '''Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist''' (''Türkiye Komünist Partisi/Marksist-Leninist'' in [[Turkish language|Turkish]], abbreviated as '''TKP/ML''') is a [[Marxism–Leninism–Maoism|Marxist–Leninist–Maoist]] insurgent organization in [[Turkey]] involved in the Maoist military strategy of [[people's war]] against the [[Government of Turkey|Turkish government]]. It was founded in 1972 by a group of former members of the [[Revolutionary Workers and Peasants Party of Turkey]] (RWPPT), organised by [[İbrahim Kaypakkaya]] as TKP (M-L), who wished to carry out armed struggle.
The TKP/ML participated in the International Conference of Marxist-Leninist Parties and Organizations. It is designated as a [[terrorist organization]] by the Turkish state.
==Organisation==
{{Infobox war faction | name = TİKKO | native_name = Türkiye İşçi Köylü Kurtuluş Ordusu | native_name_lang = | war = the [[Political violence in Turkey (1976–80)]], [[Maoist insurgency in Turkey]], [[Syrian Civil War]] | image = [[File:Flag_of_TiKKO.svg|200px]] | active = | ideology = [[Communism]]<br />[[Maoism|Marxism–Leninism-Maoism]] | leaders = TİKKO General Command (collective leadership tied to Party) | clans = | headquarters = | area = [[Turkey]], [[Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria|Rojava]] | size = | partof = Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist | predecessor = | successor = | allies = | split = | opponents = {{flag|Turkey}}<br />{{flagicon|Syrian opposition}} [[Syrian National Army]]<br />{{flag|Islamic State of Iraq and Syria}} | battles = [[Maoist insurgency in Turkey]]<br />[[Siege of Kobanî|Battle for Kobanî]]<br />[[Manbij offensive (2016)]]<br />[[2015 Al-Hawl offensive]]<br />[[Al-Shaddadi offensive (2016)]]<br />[[Raqqa campaign (2016–2017)]] *[[Battle of Raqqa (2017)]] [[Turkish military operation in Afrin]] | image_alt = The flag of TİKKO showing a yellow star, two Kalashnikovs, cogwheels and a wreath of wheat | status = }}
The armed wing of the party is named the Liberation Army of the Workers and Peasants of Turkey ({{lang|tr|Türkiye İşci ve Köylü Kurtuluş Ordusu}} in Turkish, abbreviated as '''TİKKO''').
The Marxist-Leninist Youth Union of Turkey (''Türkiye Marksist Leninist Gençlik Birliği'' in Turkish, abbreviated as ''TMLGB'') is the youth organization of TKP/ML. TMLGB, founded in 1972 as an organisation for youth workers, peasants, students and other youths from different production sectors under the [[Istanbul Province]] Committee. Mehmet Zeki Şerit (died in 1977 under torture) was the first chair of the TMLGB. TMLGB did not work actively until its first congress in 1987.
==History==
Following the military memorandum of 1971 the Turkish government cracked down on the communist movement in Turkey. Kaypakkaya and several of his colleagues were arrested. The party machinery was destroyed, while Kaypakkaya died in prison in 1973 as a result of [[torture]].
The Communist Party of Turkey (Marxist–Leninist) re-organized between 1973 and 1978. The first party congress took place in 1978 (''TKP (M-L) I. Kongresi'' in Turkish). In 1981 the second congress was organized (''TKP (M-L) II. Kongresi''). The party split following the second congress, the splinter group taking up the name TKP/ML (Bolşevik), later [[Bolshevik Party (North Kurdistan-Turkey)]].
This was neither the first nor the last split in the party. The [[Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist–Leninist – Hareketi]] had already split in (1976) during the re-organisation period. Other splits followed the second congress: [[Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist (Revolutionary Partisan)]] (1987), [[Communist Party of Turkey/Marxist-Leninist (Maoist Party Centre)]] (1987) and [[Maoist Communist Party (Turkey)|Communist Party of Turkey (Marxist-Leninist)]] (1994).
==Activities== [[File:1.-Mai-Demonstration Berlin 2005 (3).jpg|left|thumb|TKP/ML banner during 1 May demonstration in Berlin (2005)]]
On 17 May 1985, TKP/ML broadcast a propaganda message to millions of television viewers in Istanbul, replacing the soundtrack for the evening news.<ref>A World to Win Magazine, 1985, "TKP/ML seizes the airwaves 8PM News Break"</ref>
On 29 June 2010, two guerillas of the TİKKO were killed in the mountains of [[Tunceli Province|Tunceli]] by the Turkish state forces.
On 2 February 2011, five guerillas of TİKKO in [[Tunceli Province|Tunceli]] died as a result of an avalanche.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.bannedthought.net/Turkey/TKP-ML/2011/FiveDieInAvalanche-110420.pdf|title=To the Press and the Public: 5 martyrs of TKP/ML-TIKKO died in Tunceli}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://kasamaproject.org/imperialism-war/3192-24turkey-five-communist-fighters-killed-in-avalanche |title=Turkey: Five Communist Fighters Killed in Avalanche |author=Mike Ely |work=Kasama Project |access-date=5 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013003427/http://kasamaproject.org/imperialism-war/3192-24turkey-five-communist-fighters-killed-in-avalanche |archive-date=13 October 2014 }}</ref>
On 26 July 2013, the control building of a hydroelectric power plant regulator was bombed in the countryside of [[Tunceli Province]] by TİKKO militants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bianet.org/english/environment/148775-hydroelectric-plant-regulator-bombed-in-dersim|title=Hydroelectric Plant Regulator Bombed in Dersim – english|work=Bianet – Bagimsiz Iletisim Agi|access-date=5 February 2015}}</ref>
On 14 March 2014, TİKKO guerrillas attacked a police station in Tunceli. TKP/ML declared that the attack was revenge for [[death of Berkin Elvan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bestanuce1.com/haber/91388/tikkodan-berkin-elvan-icin-misilleme-eylemi |title=Retaliatory Action For Berkin Elvan From TIKKO |work=bestanuce1.com |access-date=5 February 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109052514/http://www.bestanuce1.com/haber/91388/tikkodan-berkin-elvan-icin-misilleme-eylemi |archive-date=9 January 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ozgurgelecek.net/manset-haberler/9016-gerilladan-berkin-elvan-icin-misilleme-eylemi.html|title=Gerilladan Berkin Elvan için misilleme eylemi|author=Özgür Gelecek|access-date=5 February 2015|archive-date=12 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012191152/http://www.ozgurgelecek.net/manset-haberler/9016-gerilladan-berkin-elvan-icin-misilleme-eylemi.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2016, the organization allegedly kidnapped Erkan Doğan, a civilian, who was later found executed.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.karar.com/gundem-haberleri/hainler-kacirdiklari-koyluyu-oldurdu-196279 | title=Tunceli'de TKP/ML TİKKO'lu teröristler, kaçırdıkları Erkan Doğan'ı öldürdü – Son dakika haberleri| date=22 July 2016}}</ref>
== The fight against ISIS in Syria ==
In 2014, the organization sent a group of fighters to support the Kurds and other minorities in the fight against [[ISIS]] in [[Kobanî]]. Since then, the group has actively trained and supported the minorities in the fight against the extremist groups.<ref>{{cite report |date=27 February 2017 |title=Foreign Volunteers for the Syrian Kurdish Forces |url=https://www.cartercenter.org/resources/pdfs/peace/conflict_resolution/syria-conflict/foreign-volunteers-for-syrian-kurdish-forces-2017.02.23.pdf |location=[[Atlanta]] |publisher=[[Carter Center]] |pages=2–3}}</ref>
On 25 March 2016, the organization's headquarters in [[Serêkaniyê]] were targeted by a motorcycle bomb in an attack by ISIS, causing slight injuries to two members and damage to the headquarters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.signalfire.org/2016/03/28/islamic-state-bomb-attack-against-serekaniye-hq-of-tkpml-tikko/|title=Islamic State bomb attack against Serêkaniyê HQ of TKP-ML-TIKKO|date=28 March 2016|work=Signalfire|access-date=28 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829093909/http://www.signalfire.org/2016/03/28/islamic-state-bomb-attack-against-serekaniye-hq-of-tkpml-tikko/|archive-date=29 August 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tr.hawarnews.com/tkp-ml-tikkoya-yonelik-bombali-saldiri/|title=TKP-ML TİKKO'ya yönelik bombalı saldırı|date=26 March 2016|work=Hawar Haber Ajansı|language=tr|access-date=7 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914121450/http://tr.hawarnews.com/tkp-ml-tikkoya-yonelik-bombali-saldiri/|archive-date=14 September 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{Maoism sidebar |}}
==Designation as a terrorist organisation== The organisation is listed among the 12 active [[List of designated terrorist groups|terrorist organisations]] in Turkey as of 2007, according to the Counter-Terrorism and Operations Department of the Directorate General for Security of the [[Law enforcement in Turkey|Turkish police]].<ref>TÜRKİYE'DE HALEN FAALİYETLERİNE DEVAM EDEN BAŞLICA TERÖR ÖRGÜTLERİ: {{cite web|url=http://www.egm.gov.tr/temuh/terorgrup1.html |title=Türki̇ye'de halen faali̇yetleri̇ne devam eden – Başlica terör örgütleri̇ |access-date=12 April 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130114042731/http://www.egm.gov.tr/temuh/terorgrup1.html |archive-date=14 January 2013 }}</ref>
==Notable members== * [[İbrahim Kaypakkaya]] * [[Barbara Kistler]] * [[Ali Haydar Yıldız]] * [[Nubar Ozanyan]] * [[Lorenzo Orsetti]]
==See also== * [[Maoist insurgency in Turkey]] * [[List of illegal political parties in Turkey]] * [[Communist Party of Turkey (disambiguation)]], for other groups using similar names * [[Confederation of Workers from Turkey in Europe]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *[https://ikk-online14.net/ İşçi Köylü Kurtuluşu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230224093407/https://ikk-online14.net/ |date=24 February 2023 }} *[http://www.partizanarsiv.net Partizan archive] *[https://twitter.com/IKurtulusu Twitter page] {{Kurdish–Turkish conflict}} {{Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Communist Party Of Turkey Marxist-Leninist}} [[Category:1972 establishments in Turkey]] [[Category:Anti-imperialist parties]] [[Category:Anti–Islamic State factions in Turkey]] [[Category:Anti-revisionist organizations]] [[Category:Banned communist parties in Turkey]] [[Category:Economic history of Turkey]] [[Category:Far-left politics in Turkey]] [[Category:International Coordination of Revolutionary Parties and Organizations|Turkey]] [[Category:International Freedom Battalion]] [[Category:Left-wing militant groups in Turkey]] [[Category:Maoist organizations in Turkey]] [[Category:Maoist parties]] [[Category:Marxism–Leninism–Maoism]] [[Category:Organizations designated as terrorist by Turkey]] [[Category:Peoples' United Revolutionary Movement]] [[Category:Political parties established in 1972]] [[Category:Political parties in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria]] [[Category:Revolutionary Internationalist Movement]]