Turkey has launched a major military operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) on the southern border between Iraq and Syria, aiming to create a security corridor 30 to 40 kilometers deep. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced this summer that his country intends to permanently address the PKK threat on its borders with Iraq.
As detailed in statements following cabinet meetings and reports from Turkish officials, this military campaign is not just a short-term engagement but reflects a long-term strategy to prevent the PKK from using the mountainous terrain as a base for launching attacks against Turkey. Defense Minister Yaşar Güler emphasized that terrorism will “no longer be a problem for our country” and vowed to eradicate terrorism in the region.
Turkey’s operations in northern Iraq, known as the Claw Sword operation initiated in 2022, continue with precision strikes aimed at PKK positions. This relentless pursuit has resulted in the establishment of over 100 Turkish army outposts along the rugged Iraqi border, part of a so-called inkblot strategy to systematically secure the region. The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) has reportedly conducted over 6,000 airstrikes in Syria and Iraq since 2018, a significant escalation from previous years.
Erdoğan’s planned visit to Baghdad and Erbil will likely include discussions on cooperative measures against the PKK, unresolved water disputes, trade, and oil marketing through Turkey. The visit will mark the continuation of ongoing negotiations that have included visits by Turkish officials such as Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defense Minister Güler to the Iraqi capital and the Kurdish administration in Erbil.
The intensification of Turkey’s military presence, now consisting of over 70 bases in northern Iraq, has stirred controversy, with Baghdad and Syria accusing Turkey of violating their territorial integrity. Iraq has called on the international community and the United Nations to end Turkey’s military presence, while Syria has condemned the Turkish military’s operations as an occupation.
Despite these accusations, Turkish officials maintain that their counterterrorism operations are within legal bounds and in line with international agreements. Güler has been quoted as stating, “We do what we are supposed to do. The Republic of Türkiye is a great state and does not need permission from others.”
Turkey’s campaign also intersects with its troubled relationship with the United States over the latter’s support for the People’s Defense Units (YPG) in Syria. Ankara sees the YPG as an extension of the PKK and has urged Washington to cease supplying military aid to the group. In a stance reflecting Turkey’s frustration, President Erdoğan warned that Turkey has preparations that will cause “new nightmares to those who assume they can bring Türkiye to its knees by establishing a ‘terroristan’ along our southern borders.”
The ongoing campaign and Turkey’s determined stance signify a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to confront and neutralize PKK forces. The coming months will reveal the effectiveness of Turkey’s military strategy and the potential geopolitical ramifications in a region already marked by complexity and instability.
Relevant articles:
– Turkish President Erdoğan plans mass military operation in Iraq, Syria against PKK
– Turkey’s escalating offensive signals intention to reshape power dynamics in Iraqi Kurdistan Medya News, Tue, 12 Mar 2024 16:19:49 GMT
– Turkey vows to expand expand military op in Iraq till summer Mehr News Agency – English Version, Tue, 12 Mar 2024 11:33:00 GMT
– Türkiye counts down to major operation in Iraq against PKK Daily Sabah, Mon, 11 Mar 2024 09:55:00 GMT