Turkish Military Strikes Intensify Two Months into Ceasefire

    Turkish Military Strikes Intensify Two Months into Ceasefire

It has been over two months since the imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan called for peace and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) declared a unilateral ceasefire. Yet, Turkish military activity has surged. In April, bombardments and attacks by the Turkish Armed Forces increased by 78% compared to the previous month—reaching levels similar to those seen prior to the ceasefire. Since April 1st, at least 210 bombardments and helicopter assaults have been recorded across Iraqi Kurdistan. These include 42 airstrikes, 153 artillery shellings, 14 helicopter attacks, and one incident of small arms fire that damaged a civilian home. In total, 3 civilian houses have been destroyed and 2 have been damaged by Turkish military operations.

The Duhok governorate bore the overwhelming majority of bombardments and attacks in April, accounting for approximately 92% of the total, with at least 198 incidents involving artillery and helicopter assaults. In contrast, the Erbil governorate experienced around 8%, with 12 recorded bombardments. Although Turkish drones were observed flying over the Sulaymaniyah governorate, no attacks were recorded in either the Sulaymaniyah or Nineveh governorates.

This intensification of military actions marks a return to the levels of bombardments and attacks seen prior to the ceasefire. The escalation has been heavily concentrated in the Amedi district, which alone accounted for 92% of all recorded bombardments and attacks in April. Notably, the highest number of strikes recorded in a single day this year—53—occurred near villages by Gara Mountain in the Amedi district.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been at least 616 bombardments and helicopter attacks inside Iraqi Kurdistan. So far this year, there have been nine civilian casualties, with three killed and six injured. Additionally, the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has conducted at least five attacks on Turkish bases on Matina Mountain and two attacks on Peshmerga bases, resulting in four Peshmerga casualties (all injured), after Peshmerga forces established a military position on Gre Dava, south of Belava village in the Amedi district.

Notably, on April 12th, two civilians were injured and one were killed on Chiadel Mountain after coming into contact with an unexploded Turkish ordnance (UXO), which then detonated. Additionally, on April 2nd and 7th, villagers from Bermiza, located in the Sidakan district, were prevented from accessing their land and collecting wild vegetables. Turkish soldiers set up a military checkpoint and informed residents they would be allowed to return only once and not go beyond a designated boundary. However, on April 7th, when villagers attempted to access the area, the Turkish Armed Forces blocked their passage and forced them to turn back. The Turkish military established a base in the area in December 2017 and has since constructed at least five additional outposts.