The Continuation of Turkish Military Operations in Iraqi Kurdistan Despite PKK's Unilateral Ceasefire
The Continuation of Turkish Military Operations in Iraqi Kurdistan Despite PKK's Unilateral Ceasefire
On March 1, 2025, in response to a call for peace from their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, following a peace process initiated by Devlet Bahçeli, chairman of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), and supported by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) declared a unilateral ceasefire with Turkey. However, PKK stated that they only would fully disband with the attendance of Öcalan in a formal assembly.
Since the declaration of the ceasefire on March 1, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have carried out approximately 118 bombardments and attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan throughout March. These include at least 86 airstrikes, 21 artillery bombardments, 10 helicopter attacks, and one incident involving explosive ordnance. Additionally, the PKK has responded to Turkish military operations at least nine times, including shooting down a Akıncı drone in Sofian village in the Bingrd sub-district of the Dukan district of the Slemani governorate on March 16.
Overall, these numbers indicate a consistent level of military operations, with only a slight decrease in attacks and bombardments. Compared to January 2025, this represents a 12% decrease, and compared to February 2025, only a 21% decrease in the number of attacks and bombardments.
Furthermore, following Öcalan’s call for peace on February 27, 2025, there was a 145% increase in attacks and bombardments in the week after his declaration compared to the week before.
Overall in March, Erbil and Duhok have been the most targeted governorates, with 55 and 51 bombardments, respectively. The Sulaymaniyah governorate recorded 12 bombardments and attacks, while Mosul had no reported incidents.
In March, the number of bombardments decreased across all governorates except Erbil, which saw a 120% increase compared to the previous month. Additionally, although bombardments declined overall, helicopter attacks surged, with 10 recorded in March compared to just one in February.
Additionally, this year, the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have used explosive ordnance and bombardments to destroy natural caves near their bases of operation, even though these caves were not under PKK control.
For example, on March 25, TAF detonated explosives in five caves in Sgire village, Amedi district. All of them were natural formations, not man-made PKK tunnels, but were still deemed to have the potential for use by PKK combatants.
Furthermore, on February 22, TAF bombed Shekhy Cave in Balava village, Amedi—a historically significant site associated with an important Kurdish revolutionary figure.
On March 26, reports and rumors suggested that the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) were withdrawing from their military bases in Rashava Valley, Deraluk. However, 25 military vehicles were observed conducting a troop rotation, and no actual withdrawal from any bases in the area has taken place.
As of 2025, there have been at least 404 bombardments and attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan. These incidents have resulted in four civilians injured and two killed.
The ongoing bombardments and military operations continue to threaten the lives of civilians in affected areas, especially during the spring harvest season, when many farmers depend on agriculture as their primary source of income.
CPT urges Turkey to cease military operations and calls on both parties to engage in peace negotiations to ensure the safety of civilian lives.