Turkey, Iran to clear Qandil of PKK terrorists

Turkey, which has taken joint steps with Iraq and Iran against Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) leader Masoud Barzani, is preparing to do the same against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The three countries, which took steps in Erbil following the northern Kurdish region’s illegitimate referendum and achieved striking results, are now planning to strike the PKK stronghold. In particular, measures to be taken against the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK), the PKK’s Iranian offshoot, are being discussed between Ankara and Tehran.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) are preparing to conduct an operation in Qandil with the Iranian general staff. Other matters that require mutual coordination apart from operations are providing border security against terrorist infiltration and intelligence sharing.

The TAF has been conducting various cross-border operations since the 1990s, pursuing terrorists in Iraqi territory, but a decisive blow has not been able to be delivered to the PKK because of their passage to Iran. Half of the Qandil region, where the PKK is nested, is located within Iranian borders.

The terrorists who flee to the Iranian part of Qandil travel through Urmia and Shaydan Camp, and then attack bases on the Şemdinli- Yüksekova line.

Despite Ankara’s warnings, Tehran has not yet taken a step toward combatting the PKK. But the “New Saadabad” period launched by Iraq, Turkey and Iran to clear occupied territories following the illegitimate referendum will ensure the process takes a different direction.

In order to clear Qandil of terrorists, Ankara wants Tehran to close the borders; prevent terrorist movement; keep terrorists in the country, especially the leaders of the organization; and return those captured.

If these requests are fulfilled by Tehran, Qandil will no longer be a safe haven for PKK terrorists. Turkish troops will enter the area with air back up. During the operation, Iran is expected to close the escape route of the terrorists, share intelligence, support with artillery and, if necessary, with troops on the field.

With the Iraqi army's contribution, it is aimed to prevent the infiltration of terrorists, who can escape from Qandil, into Iraq's inner regions. After the operation in Qandil, operations will target Makhmur and Sinjar, which are other PKK hotbeds.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The PKK has been conducting armed violence in the southeastern part of Turkey since 1984. More than 40,000 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the three-decade long conflict.