Grey Wolves (organization)

The Grey Wolves , officially known as Ülkü Ocaklari (; "Idealist Clubs" or "Idealist Hearths"), is a Turkish nationalist organization. It is variously described as ultra-nationalist or neo-fascist. Formally a youth organization with close links to the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), it has been described as MHP's "militant youth arm", "unofficial militant arm", and "paramilitary and terrorist wing". Established by Colonel Alparslan Türkes in the 1960s, it was the main nationalist force during the political violence in 1976–80 in Turkey. During this period, the organization became a "death squad" engaged in "street killings and gunbattles". According to authorities, 220 of its members carried out 694 murders of left-wing and liberal activists and intellectuals. Attacks on university students were commonplace. They killed hundreds of Alevis in the Maras massacre of 1978 and are alleged to have been behind the Taksim Square massacre of 1977. The masterminds behind the attempt on Pope John Paul II's life in 1981 by Grey Wolves member Mehmet Ali Agca were not identified and the organization's role remains unclear. Due to these attacks the Grey Wolves have been described by scholars and journalists as a terrorist organization.