Image Credits - CNN
Turkish jets have launched an unprecedented airstrike on PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) positions in Duhok, northern Iraq, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This operation, characterized by its intensity and scale, has ignited multiple fires in the area, resulting in substantial damage to both military and civilian infrastructure.
The Turkish Defense Ministry, Yaşar Güler confirmed the operation, stating that it targeted key PKK positions to dismantle the group’s capabilities and reduce their operational reach. According to sources on the ground, the airstrikes were particularly intense, with a series of explosions reported to have caused widespread fires that have consumed large swathes of forest and residential areas.
Local authorities in Duhok have reported significant disruptions, with several villages being evacuated as a precautionary measure. The fires resulting from the airstrikes have exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the region, leading to a surge in displaced persons and increased strain on local resources.
The PKK, a Kurdish militant group designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the EU, and the U.S., has been engaged in an insurgency against the Turkish government for decades.
The international community has expressed concern over the humanitarian impact of the airstrikes, urging all parties to seek a peaceful resolution. However, with tensions remaining high and no immediate ceasefire in sight, the situation in Duhok continues to be precarious. The outcome of this escalation will depend on the subsequent actions of both the Turkish government and the PKK, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics in the region.