Dating back to the Ottoman Empire, tensions between Kurds and Türkiye were evident. When a new Republic emerged in 1923, under the leadership of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, a strong sense of nationalism swept the country. Many aspects of society went through a period of Turkification. Turkey refused to recognize any other ethnic groups within its borders, a strict language policy was implemented, and virtually all non-Turkish elements of society were suppressed. Policies were implemented and enforced with harsh prison sentences, and media censorship was brutal. The problem with all these policies is that the Kurds are not Turks, they are an ethnically distinct group of people living in the mountainous areas bordering Turkey, Iraq, Syria and Iran. They are a very proud people with a strong cultural and linguistic identity who, over the last century, have been subjected to intense control and oppression by Turkish regimes. Through this oppression we see attempts in the 1920s and 1930s to gain Kurdish autonomy with the subsequent development of the PKK in 1978. This terrorist organization is run by Abdullah Öcalan, and their intentions are to gain cultural and political rights for the Kurds, as well as an autonomous government separate from Turkish rule. Since the first armed attack against Turkish soldiers in 1984, the PKK campaign has used armed violence to pursue its objectives. Such tactics include the kidnapping of government officials, the destruction of infrastructure to prevent investment in Kurdish-inhabited regions, firefights with the Turkish army and drug trafficking to generate funds. The Kurdish problem has caused the death of approximately 35,000 people, an even greater number displaced, and has created economic and paper problems... of this conflict which has been detrimental to the progress not only of Turkey. but also the rest of the region. While there are still obstacles to overcome, progress has been made in international relations through military and peace agreements, Kurdish political parties, while proceeding cautiously, have gained more support and influence within the government, and the KRG has become an economic partner of Turkey as well as other international players such as the United States. The Kurdish issue is complex and requires the cooperation of both sides and the dilution of the armed conflict. Nationalist ideals must be set aside to improve human rights, which can offer solutions to equality while increasing prosperity for the entire region. Once the Kurds are treated as equals, terrorism will end, investments will increase and there will be prosperity for all.