ATAC, HALIL

(Abu Bakir)

Halil Atac has been a leading member of theKurdistan Workers Party(PKK) for many years. In the 1990s, he served on the party's leadership council (politburo) and was also chosen to serve on its presidential council to act forAbdullah Ocalan, the PKK's leader, after his capture in 1999. During the 1990s, Atac also commandedKurdistan Peoples Liberation Army(ARGK) units in theTurkishprovinces of Batman andBitlis, called Garzan by the Kurds.