In response to a recent attack on Turkish military bases in Iraq, Turkey has conducted airstrikes against Kurdish militants in both Syria and Iraq. The Turkish defense ministry reported that 29 bunkers, shelters, caves, and oil facilities in the Metina, Hakurk, Gara, and Qandil regions were destroyed in the operation. The targeted sites belong to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG), a Syrian-Kurdish group affiliated with the U.S.-led coalition against ISIS.
Escalation Following Attack on Turkish Military Base
The latest airstrikes come in the aftermath of a PKK assault on a Turkish army base in northern Iraq’s Kurdish region, where nine Turkish soldiers were killed, and four others were wounded. The PKK suffered significant losses in the attack, with 15 militants reported dead by the Turkish defense ministry.
Turkey’s Ongoing Struggle Against Kurdish Militant Groups
Turkey views both the PKK and YPG as terrorist organizations and has regularly launched military operations against their enclaves in Syria and Iraq. The Turkish military has maintained a presence in northern Iraq since April 2022 as part of Operation Claw-Lock, aiming to dismantle the PKK’s foothold and prevent cross-border attacks into Turkey.
Challenges and Calls for Withdrawal
Despite the ongoing military operations, the Turkish bases in northern Iraq continue to face security challenges, with attacks occurring every few weeks. The Iraqi government has consistently called for the withdrawal of Turkish forces, while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has vowed to stay until the mission is accomplished.
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