A complex network of alleged links within Turkish state institutions has been uncovered in a recent broadcast on YouTube by Turkish journalist Cevheri Güven, who has links to the Fethullah Gülen movement, a religious group accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed coup attempt in 2016. In particular, the broadcast focuses on alleged links within the intelligence department of the military and the historical structure of the former JİTEM (Gendarmerie Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism Organisation).
Güven’s analysis puts the spotlight on several key figures – Veli Küçük, Hasan Atilla Uğur, Cem Ersever and Mahmut Yıldırım (alias “Yeşil” [Green]) – whose clandestine influence has been the subject of controversy over the years. Known for his dark role in Turkey’s recent history as a hitman for JİTEM, Mahmut Yıldırım disappeared in 1998, leaving behind a legacy of fear and mystery.
The broadcast raised concerns about the past actions of these individuals, suggesting that they had exacerbated the Kurdish conflict in Turkey through a series of extrajudicial killings and manipulation of state mechanisms. Gökhan Çiloğlu, identified as a rising figure in this so-called deep state network, now heads the military intelligence and has been accused of involvement in covert operations dating back to the 1990s, including dealing with Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) informants and involvement in extrajudicial killings.
Çiloğlu’s recent rise to this critical role, particularly after a three-year prison sentence following the 2016 coup attempt, has sparked debate on the unresolved issues of past decades, such as enforced disappearances and the ongoing Kurdish question. His controversial career parallels that of previous figures implicated in state security struggles and systemic violence against the Kurdish population.
This resurgence of concern comes at a time when the Turkish military intelligence service, formerly associated with the notorious JİTEM, is under scrutiny for its historical and current role in Turkish politics and security. The institution’s dark past, particularly during the conflict-ridden 1990s in south-eastern Turkey, appears to be echoed in today’s politics and military campaigns against Kurdish forces.
Güven alleges that Çiloğlu’s connections extend into the criminal underworld, including the drug trade, further complicating his profile. These revelations highlight the ongoing challenge of reconciling Turkey’s security policies with demands for accountability and human rights, especially as Turkey prepares for operations against PKK positions in northern Iraq.
The situation is exacerbated by threats against Kurdish-oriented news outlets, indicating the presence of clandestine networks influencing government actions. A threatening message to the ‘Operasyon’ social media news account suggested collusion between the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and mafia structures in actions against Kurds, underlining the complex, often shadowy interactions within Turkey’s security and political landscape.
“All gangs have sat down at the same table. From now on you will fight not only with the TSK but also with the mafia,” the threatening message read.
As Turkey navigates these troubled waters, calls from human rights organisations and Kurdish rights advocates for transparency, accountability and a humane approach to the country’s longstanding problems are growing louder. The complex mix of past atrocities, alleged deep state activities, and current security policies presents a critical challenge for Turkey’s future.
Deep state and Kurdish conflict
The term ‘deep state’ refers to a perceived secret network or structure of influential individuals within the government, military, intelligence and other institutions. This network is believed to wield significant power and influence over political decisions and policies, often operating outside formal democratic processes.
The concept of the deep state in Turkey first received significant attention and scrutiny in the context of the state’s war against the Kurdish insurgency in the 1990s. The alleged involvement of the deep state in covert operations became more apparent in Kurdish-majority regions. The perceived role of the deep state in the state’s approach to the Kurdish question has been at the centre of discussions about its influence and impact on Turkish politics and society.
JİTEM’s alleged activities have contributed to a broader perception of a deep state apparatus operating outside the bounds of democratic oversight in Turkey. Although JİTEM’s existence had long been denied by state institutions, a car accident in 1996 resulted in the Susurluk scandal, which exposed links between the state, the police and the mafia in Turkey, and revealed that several Kurdish activists and politicians had been murdered by a state-affiliated criminal organisation.
Later, the opening of an investigation into JİTEM by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office was the state’s official acknowledgement of the organisation’s existence.
