<p>The US State Department this month issued a statement maintaining the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK’s) designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).</p>
<p>"Today’s actions notify the U.S. public and the international community that the PKK remains a terrorist organization. In addition to its continued status as an FTO, the PKK has also been designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224 since 2001," the State Department said in its statement. </p>
<p>The PKK is a Kurdish separatist organisation based in Turkey where it has conducted attacks. Turkey's president has vowed to finish off the PKK.</p>
<p>The initial US designation of Kurdish militia came in 1997. Since 2001, the PKK has also been designated as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist”. </p>
<p>The issued statement further focuses on targetting the avenues of funding available for the PKK, including the targeting and isolating individuals and groups with connections to the PKK and denying them access to the US financial system.</p>
<p>The Department also maintains the designation can further support work other US agencies and governments.</p>
<p>You can read the full statement here.</p>
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