Turkish Military Strikes Intensify and Concentrate Three Months Into Unilateral Ceasefire, Weeks After PKK Dissolution Announcement

Turkish Military Strikes Intensify and Concentrate Three Months Into Unilateral Ceasefire, Weeks After PKK Dissolution Announcement

On May 12, 2025, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced that it would dissolve its organizational structure and end all activities carried out under the PKK name, following a three-day congress held from May 5 to May 7. This decision came in response to a call for peace by their imprisoned leader, Abdullah Öcalan, in late February, and the subsequent declaration of a unilateral ceasefire on March 1.

Despite these developments, Turkish strikes have surged significantly, though they are now more geographically concentrated. In May, bombardments and attacks by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) increased by 143% compared to the previous month, exceeding levels seen prior to the ceasefire. However, all of these attacks occurred within the Duhok governorate—98% in the Amedi district and 2% in the Zakho district. Since May 1 until May 31, at least 510 bombardments and attacks have been recorded in Iraqi Kurdistan, all within the Duhok governorate, with no strikes or attacks by the Turkish Armed Forces recorded in other governorates. These include, 458 artillery shellings, 36 airstrikes, and 16 helicopter attacks. Additionally, compared to March, there has been a 332% increase in bombardments and strikes in May.

This concentrated escalation in military activity has resulted in a sharp increase in bombardments. However, these attacks have been almost exclusively focused in the Amedi district, with minimal to no military operations reported elsewhere—a stark contrast to previous years, when Turkish offensives were more geographically dispersed. This strategic shift likely reflects the dynamics of the ongoing peace process between the PKK and the Turkish state. The current military actions appear to align with Turkey’s objective of establishing a buffer zone and preventing any PKK presence near its areas of control. Notably, the highest number of strikes in a single day this year—94—occurred on the very day the PKK announced its dissolution.

Additionally, despite the ongoing peace process, on May 30th, the Turkish Armed Forces began constructing a new military base in Galy-Balinda, located in the Amedi district.

Since the beginning of the year, there have been at least 1,014 bombardments and helicopter attacks inside Iraqi Kurdistan. So far, nine civilian casualties have been recorded, with three killed and six injured.