The Turkish Defense Ministry reported that Turkey has conducted airstrikes in Iraq and Syria, specifically targeting Kurdish insurgents.
This move came after nine Turkish troops were killed in an assault on a Turkish military facility in Iraq not long ago.
Retaliation for the Deadly Attack Persistent Strikes Against the PKK
Turkey has a history of launching airstrikes against perceived Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in Iraq and Syria. The PKK, a banned Kurdish separatist group, has been engaged in insurgency against Turkey since the 1980s.
Defense Ministry Statement
The defense ministry reported that the airstrikes targeted locations in Metina, Hakurk, Gara, and Qandil in northern Iraq. While specific areas in Syria were not disclosed, the statement mentioned the destruction of caves, bunkers, shelters, and oil facilities. The objective was to eliminate potential terrorist threats against Turkish citizens and security forces while securing the border. The statement claimed that "many" militants were "neutralized" in the operation.
Attack on a Turkish Military Base
The airstrikes came in response to an attack on a military base in northern Iraq, resulting in the deaths of five soldiers and four others succumbing to critical injuries. The Turkish Defense Ministry reported the deaths of 15 militants in the incident.
Political Responses and Security Measures
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed condolences for the soldiers' deaths, emphasizing a resolute stance against the PKK both within and beyond Turkey's borders. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was scheduled to hold a security meeting in Istanbul. Simultaneously, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the detention of 113 individuals suspected of PKK ties in a series of raids across 32 Turkish provinces. Measures also included the arrest of four individuals linked to social media accounts promoting the separatist organization.
Ongoing Conflict and Retaliatory Strikes
Turkey launched Operation Claw-Lock in April 2022, establishing bases in northern Iraq, prompting objections from Baghdad. The recent attack followed a previous attempt by PKK-affiliated militants to infiltrate a Turkish base, resulting in six soldiers' deaths. Turkey retaliated with airstrikes and land assaults against alleged PKK sites.
International Dimensions of the PKK Conflict
The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by Turkey and its Western allies, including the United States, maintains bases in northern Iraq. Tensions persist between Turkey and the U.S. regarding the status of Syrian Kurdish groups allied with Washington in the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives since its onset in 1984.
