TURKIYE'S CONFLICT: POST-SWEDEN HOSTS KURDISTAN WORKERS’ PARTY MILITANTS

Abstract

This study aims to explain the impact of the ongoing conflict between Turkiye and Sweden after the country hosted militant members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, which is considered a terrorist group by Turkiye, the European Union (EU), and even the United States (US). This qualitative descriptive research method uses the theory of interdependence that emerged from a liberalist perspective. This research gets information from various sources, such as journal articles, official reports from websites, and online media. The study’s results show that Sweden’s willingness to accept militant members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party has cost the country Turkiye’s vote to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The recent burning of the al-Quran in front of the Turkish Embassy in Stockholm has also made things worse between the two countries. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated in his speech that Sweden should seek support from the Kurdistan Workers’ Party militant group to keep their country safe rather than Turkish backing.