ERBIL, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) claimed responsibility for two attacks earlier this week in the Duhok province of Iraq’s Kurdistan region, which resulted in five Kurdish security personnel affiliated with the Barzani’s Kurdistan Democratic Party being wounded.
The attacks, which took place on Monday and Tuesday, targeted bases of the KDP’s peshmerga militia forces.
According to Iraqi Kurdish officials, who maintain close ties with Turkey, confirmed on Tuesday that two separate drone strikes targeted their militia forces. The authorities described the attacks as being carried out by a “terrorist group.”
In a statement, the PKK’s military wing, the People’s Defense Forces (HPG), confirmed it was behind the attacks, but insisted that the strikes were “minor” and designed to avoid casualties.
The PKK said it launched the attacks in response to the KDP building a new military post in the region, which they claim would block a vital route between two areas. According to the PKK, the post was part of an effort to “destroy and besiege” their forces.
Kamran Othman, a representative of the U.S.-based Community Peacemakers Teams, which monitors Turkish military activities in Iraq, told AFP that the new post is located in a “sensitive area” known for tensions between the PKK and Turkish forces.
The PKK has long been engaged in a conflict with Turkey, which has been fighting the group for nearly four decades.
The Barzani-led administration, which has close ties to Turkey, has been criticized for remaining silent on Turkish military actions in the region, with some accusing them of supporting the Turkish operations against the PKK.
The PKK maintains rear bases in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan (Bakur), a region where Turkish forces also have a significant presence, with dozens of military bases.
The drone strikes occurred just weeks after the PKK declared a ceasefire with Turkey, following a historic call by its imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan, for the group to disarm. Despite the ceasefire, Turkey continues to attack the PKK, clashes persist in various parts of northern Iraq.
Authorities in the Kurdish region have stated that the recent attacks aim to “disrupt the peace process and destabilize the region.”
In response, the PKK emphasized that they do not seek to engage in further conflict, but warned against any encroachment on their areas of control.
(With files from AFP | Agencies)
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