Mahir Koç, more commonly known under his nickname Celal Başkale, was a Kurdish commander of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, a militant organization that has been fighting the government of Turkey for autonomy for Kurdish people, since 1984.BBC Kurdish MP in Turkey abducted 'by PKK', August 12, 2012 It is recognized as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United StatesForeign Terrorist Organizations and the European Union.European Union List of Terrorist Organisations, Council of the European Union, updated Council Decision 2011/70/CFSP of 31 January 2011
Başkale started out as a bodyguard for Fehman Hûseyn (Bahoz Erdal), who is the head of the Hezen Parastina Gel (HPG), the PKK's armed wingJamestown Leading PKK Commander Cemil Bayik Crosses into Iran and later rose to become the commander of all PKK operations in the Black Sea Region.
On December 7, 2009, he led seven PKK guerrillas in an ambush against 15 Turkish commandos known as the Reşadiye shooting or Tokat assault.Hürriyet PKK claims responsibility for Tokat assault, December 10, 2009 Seven of the commandos were killed and three were injured.Hürriyet Between hearts and minds, December 8, 2009
On April 11, 2012, two Turkish soldiers were killed in a PKK ambush near Çiğdemlik. In response the Turkish military started a large-scale operation against the PKK throughout Amasya Province. Celal Başkale was killed by Turkish forces along with another PKK militant on April 14.
References
External links Picture of Celal Başkale