Intense clashes erupted between Turkish military forces and militants of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Iraq, in the Duhok province, in the early hours of Sunday.
The hostilities come after PKK’s recent declaration to lay down arms, following a call for peace from their imprisoned leader Abdullah Öcalan.
According to local Kurdish media in Erbil, the confrontation lasted approximately 45 minutes. Eyewitnesses reported that the clashes occurred around dawn on Mount Lênkê, within the Deralok sub-district of Amadiya.
The fierce violence saw heavy gunfire causing alarm among residents, but no civilian casualties were reported.
The tensions took place after a Turkish helicopter conducted airstrikes in the area, prompting PKK fighters to retaliate. The incident marks the eighth occurrence of such confrontations since Öcalan’s disarmament announcement.
PKK ceasefire with a caveatÂ
Just a day before these clashes, the PKK had announced its intention to heed Öcalan’s call for a truce.Â
However, the group demanded the release of their founder as a condition. They said in a statement: “Our forces will not carry out armed operations unless attacks are launched against us. Achieving issues such as disarmament can only be accomplished under the practical leadership of Leader Apo [Abdullah Öcalan].”
The conflict between Turkish forces and the PKK has had a profound impact on local communities in northern Iraq, with villages emptied as residents flee the violence.
The PKK, designated as a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union, has waged an armed insurgency against Turkey since 1984, resulting in over 40,000 deaths.
Turkey has conducted cross-border military operations for years, controlling significant portions of border territories in Syria and Iraq, targeting PKK militants with military bases in Iraq.
The conflict has strained relations between Iraq and Turkey. Baghdad has repeatedly condemned Turkish military operations on its soil, viewing them as violations of its sovereignty. In response to previous Turkish offensives, the Iraqi government summoned the Turkish ambassador to express its objections.
Despite these tensions, both nations have engaged in diplomatic efforts to address security concerns, including discussions on military cooperation against the PKK.
