In recent days, the Turkish armed forces have escalated their operations against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and PKK-aligned groups in northern Iraq and Syria. The conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life and heightened tensions in the region.
According to reports, twelve Turkish soldiers were killed in separate attacks on bases in northern Iraq. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called for retaliation against “terrorists” in northern Iraq and Syria, vowing to eliminate terrorism at its source. The Turkish military has conducted airstrikes targeting infrastructure, oil facilities, and PKK positions in the region.
The Turkish National Defense Ministry reported that “29 terror targets were destroyed in northern Iraq and Syria”, with many terrorists “neutralized.” The airstrikes aimed to eliminate terrorist threats against Turkey and its security forces, in line with what the country claims is its “legitimate right to self-defense.” The ministry emphasized that every possible precaution was taken to safeguard civilians, “friendly elements,” likely referring to US troops and Syrian National Army (SNA) in Syria and Iraqi troops in Iraq, as well as the environment during the operations.
Among the targets hit were infrastructure used by PKK Syrian affiliate Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to refine oil. These facilities are a large source of revenue for both the SDF and PKK as the group sells oil, diesel, and petroleum products regionally to both the Assad regime and revolutionary factions in northern Syria.
The developments have raised concerns about the potential for further violence and instability in northern Iraq and Syria. The conflict between the Turkish armed forces and PKK forces has broader implications for regional security and stability, with the potential to exacerbate existing tensions in the area. The recent upscale in attacks by the Turkish armed forces against PKK and PKK-aligned terrorist groups in both Syria and Iraq underscores the complex and volatile nature of the ongoing conflict.
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