Turkish Military Attacks Hold Steady in June, Remain Concentrated as Symbolic PKK Disarmament Ceremony Approaches

It has been nearly two months since the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced its intention to dissolve its organizational structure and cease all activities carried out under the PKK name. This move came in response to a call for peace issued by imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan in late February, followed by the declaration of a unilateral ceasefire on March
While peace meditations, talks, and negotiations continue between the Turkish state, the PKK, and other stakeholders, Turkish military strikes and operations have remained steady—though increasingly concentrated in specific areas—even as a disarmament ceremony approaches this Friday on July 11, during which several PKK fighters are expected to lay down their weapons.

Despite ongoing peace developments, Turkish military strikes have remained steady and concentrated—though notably, no civilian casualties have been reported—since their surge in May. In June, bombardments and attacks increased by just 8% compared to the previous month but continue to exceed levels observed prior to the ceasefire. Notably, 98% of strikes and shellings occurred within the Duhok governorate, specifically in the Amedi district, a stark contrast to previous years when Turkish offensives were more geographically dispersed. For the first time this year, no helicopter attacks were recorded. Between June 1 and June 30, at least 550 bombardments and strikes were documented in Iraqi Kurdistan—mostly within the Duhok governorate and Amedi district—with just nine artillery shellings recorded by Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) in the Sidakan district of the Erbil governorate.. These incidents included 525 artillery shellings and 25 airstrikes.