Mahir Koç | |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Celal Başkale |
| Died | (2012-04-14)April 14, 2012 |
| Cause of death | Killed in operation |
| Allegiance |  Kurdistan Workers' Party |
| Rank | Black Sea Region Commander |
| Known for | LeadingKurdistan Workers' Party operations in theBlack Sea Region and commanding the ambushes during theReşadiye shooting and theÇiğdemlik attack |
| Battles / wars | Kurdish–Turkish conflict,Reşadiye shooting |
Mahir Koç more commonly known under his nicknameCelal Başkale was aKurdish commander of theKurdistan Workers' Party,[1] a militant organization thathas been fighting the government ofTurkey for autonomy forKurdish people, since 1984.[2] It is recognized as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, theUnited States[3] and theEuropean Union.[4]
Başkale started out as a bodyguard forFehman Hûseyn (Bahoz Erdal),[1] who is the head of theHezen Parastina Gel (HPG), the PKK's armed wing[5] and later rose to become the commander of all PKK operations in theBlack Sea Region.[1]
On December 7, 2009, he led seven PKK guerrillas in an ambush against 15 Turkish commandos known as theReşadiye shooting orTokat assault.[6] Seven of the commandos were killed and three were injured.[7]
On April 11, 2012, two Turkish soldiers were killed in a PKK ambush nearÇiğdemlik. In response the Turkish military started a large-scale operation against the PKK throughoutAmasya Province. Celal Başkale was killed by Turkish forces along with another PKK militant on April 14.[1]
