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

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.
Current military actions appear to align with Turkey’s strategic objective of establishing a buffer zone and preventing any PKK or civilian presence near areas under its control. This concentrated focus may, in part, be attributed to the ongoing dynamics of the peace process, as well as the strategic and symbolic significance of Gara Mountain, which has long served as a key base of operations and movement for the PKK.
Additionally, despite the ongoing peace process, continued Turkish attacks on villages in the Amedi district—particularly in the Deraluk subdistrict—have resulted in the burning of hundreds of dunams of agricultural land and vineyards. Villagers have repeatedly been prevented from extinguishing the fires. Between June 24 and June 29, Turkish forces also deforested parts of the Zap and Matina areas, exporting the harvested wood back to Turkey.
Meanwhile, on June 16 and June 24, the PKK launched four suicide drone attacks targeting Turkish military bases in Sgire, claiming the strikes were acts of self-defense in response to ongoing Turkish military operations during the peace process.
Since the beginning of the year, there have been 1,678 recorded military strikes and attacks by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) inside Iraqi Kurdistan. These incidents consisted of 1,232 artillery shellings, 397 airstrikes by fighter jets and drones, 43 helicopter attacks, 5 incidents of small arms fire, and 1 incident involving explosive ordnance. Furthermore, 1,484 attacks and strikes were recorded in Duhok governorate, 140 in Erbil governorate, 54 in Sulaymaniyah governorate, and none in Nineveh governorate. Additionally, there have been nine civilian casualties, with three killed and six injured.