Three killed in Turkish drone attack in Iraqi Kurdistan: official

SULAIMANI, Iraqi Kurdistan region,— A drone strike in Sulaimani governorate in Iraq’s northern Kurdistan region (Bashur) claimed the lives of three individuals on Wednesday, according to local authorities.

The incident occurred on the Dukan-Khalakan road, where a car was targeted, resulting in the deaths of the occupants.

Turkey has maintained a military presence in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdistan region for more than 25 years as part of its ongoing campaign against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group it considers a “terrorist” organization. The PKK has led a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state, seeking greater autonomy for Kurds in Turkey.

Dukan district governor, Sirwan Sarhad, confirmed the details of the strike, stating, “This afternoon, a drone bombed a car on the Dukan-Khalakan road, killing three people.” He further mentioned that the victims were severely burned and that two of them were identified as a father and his sons from the Hajiawa neighborhood in the Ranya district of Sulaimani. The deceased were identified as Muzafer Hussein Khidir Awla, also known as Muzafer Mozo, and his two sons, one of whom was named Muhammad.

The drone strike adds to the growing list of incidents in the region linked to Turkey’s military actions against the PKK.

In a separate incident on August 23, 2024 another drone strike, reportedly carried out by Turkey, killed two Kurdish women journalists allegedly affiliated with PKK-linked media outlets.

The Iraqi military shot down a Turkish drone on Thursday over Kirkuk, a northern city known for its diverse population.

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has been long-standing, with the PKK initiating its armed struggle in 1984. The group’s objective has been to secure greater rights and autonomy for the Kurdish population in Turkey, which numbers over 22 million.

Over the years, this conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including both Turkish soldiers and PKK guerrillas .

In 2024, the Iraqi government has quietly classified the PKK as a banned organization and has signed a military cooperation agreement with Turkey. This deal, finalized in July 2024, includes plans for joint military training and the establishment of command centers aimed at combating the PKK.

The PKK continues to target Turkish military and government installations, with a stated goal of avoiding civilian casualties. Despite the ongoing conflict, the PKK enjoys significant support from the Kurdish community both within Turkey and abroad.