Turkey claims strike on over 20 PKK targets in Kurdistan Region

ERBIL — Turkish military forces launched a major air operation Wednesday night, targeting over 20 sites linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, in the mountainous regions of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, according to Turkey’s National Defense Ministry.

The operation aimed to “neutralize high-ranking PKK officials” and prevent cross-border attacks. The airstrikes focused on key areas including Gara mountain in Duhok, Khwakurk mountain in Erbil, and the Qandil and Asos mountains in Sulaymaniyah, all known strongholds of the group.

“Twenty-four caves, shelters, hideouts, depots, and other facilities were destroyed during the airstrikes,” the ministry said, adding that several members were killed.

94media has not independently verified the claims.

Ali Salih, a member of the Galala village council in Sulaymaniyah’s Sharbazher district, told 964Media that “they heard the sound of bombardments around the village but didn’t witness anything directly.” He noted that the Asos mountain was targeted, though it is distant from the village, and they only heard the sound once.

Turkish airstrikes have intensified as part of operations against the group and its affiliates, particularly under Operation Claw-Lock, launched in April 2022. In addition to targeting mountainous regions where Turkey claims militants are based, Turkish drones frequently strike vehicles on major roads in Sulaymaniyah governorate, resulting in casualties, including civilians.

On Sept. 5, three civilians were killed in a Turkish drone strike near the village of Hermila in the Zalan sub-district of Sharbazher.

A report published by Community Peacemaker Teams on Aug. 14 highlighted that military actions by Turkey and Iran in the Kurdistan Region have killed 425 civilians and injured 420 since 1991. The report attributes over 83% of these casualties to Turkish military operations, with a marked increase in incidents since 2018.