Turkey launches airstrikes in Iraq's Duhok
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Turkish aircraft airstrike several areas in the Iraqi Duhok governorate in a likely foreshadowing of military activity in the region.
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Kurdish forces patrol al-Hol camp, which houses families of members of the Islamic State group in al-Hasakeh province, Syria, on April 19, 2023 (AP)
Turkish aircraft conducted several airstrikes Monday targeting the Iraqi Duhok governorate in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq, namely in the Metin Mountain, purportedly in pursuit of the Kurdistan's Workers' Party (PKK) fighters.
The Amedi district in Duhok was also targeted by Turkish airstrikes on Sunday, an Al Mayadeen correspondent reported.
Turkish warplanes dropped leaflets on village residents, indicating an increase in Turkish military activity in the region. The area experienced both aerial and artillery bombardment by the Turkish military, resulting in the displacement of many residents.
The Turkish Ministry of Defense announced Sunday that it had eliminated seven PKK militants in northern Iraq and Syria. The ministry's statement, posted on social media, said that the Turkish army "neutralized three terrorists from the PKK and Syrian Kurdish groups" in the areas of Operations Euphrates Shield and Peace Spring in northern Syria. The army also neutralized four other militants in the Operation Claw-Lock area in northern Iraq.
Since mid-June 2021, Turkish forces have been conducting a series of air and ground offensives in northern Iraq, covering Nineveh and the Kurdistan region. These operations have been concentrated in Sinjar, Qandil, Sidakan, Soran, Zab, and Zakho.
Expanding operations
Turkey announced in late June its intent to employ military force against alleged arms deliveries to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey.
This decisive move targets the Sulaymaniyah airport in northern Iraq, which has allegedly become a key logistical hub for the PKK. According to sources cited by Yeni Safak, Turkey has declared its readiness to use military force if it detects new arms shipments to the armed group.
Turkey accused the United States and Iran of allegedly supplying drones and missiles to the PKK.
In response, Turkey has extended the ban on the use of its airspace for flights to the Sulaymaniyah airport for another six months.
The conflict between Turkey and the PKK began in 1984 and saw a resurgence in 2015. The PKK's objective is to establish an independent Kurdish state, which would include parts of Turkey.
