The People’s Defence Forces (HPG), the armed wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), has confirmed the downing of a high altitude Turkish Bayraktar Akıncı Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) over the Qandil (Qendîl) mountains, widely reported in local news on Sunday evening. The group has stated that it remains committed to the ceasefire declared following the 27 February peace call by imprisoned Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan. However, in a statement released on 17 March, the group reported that Turkish military aggression had persisted in the Qandil region and other areas under its control, necessitating defensive measures.
HPG’s statement detailed an increase in Turkish reconnaissance missions, heavy artillery shelling and aerial bombardments since the ceasefire announcement. According to their figures, Turkish forces have carried out eight attacks using prohibited weapons, 93 airstrikes and over 5,000 heavy artillery and mortar shelling incidents targeting the mountainous area known to the PKK as the Medya Defence Zones, stretching from the Syria-Iraq border to the Iran-Iraq border.
HPG claimed that these reconnaissance missions serve as preparatory steps for further military attacks. The group argued that such incursions breach the principles of the ceasefire and leave them with no choice but to respond in self-defence.
“On 16 March at approximately 19:20 local time, HPG’s Şehîd Delal Air Defence Forces intercepted and downed a Turkish Akıncı UAV over Qandil, asserting that it was operating at high altitude under the assumption of being untouchable.”
HPG’s statement reaffirmed its commitment to the ceasefire but warned that continued Turkish reconnaissance and military operations would force them to take further defensive action.
“Every reconnaissance activity constitutes an attack, as it prepares for further military aggression,” the statement read. “Should these violations persist, we reserve the right to defend our forces by targeting these aerial threats.”
The incident raises further concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire, which was initially welcomed as a pivotal step toward resolving the long-standing conflict between the PKK and Turkey. Although the ceasefire declaration was endorsed by Devlet Bahçeli, leader of the ultra-nationalist Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and a key partner in the ruling coalition, his subsequent statements questioned the validity of a unilateral ceasefire, emphasising that such agreements typically involve equal counterparts.
Since the ceasefire was declared, HPG has periodically reported intensified Turkish military operations, suggesting that Ankara has not reciprocated the initiative with de-escalatory measures.
With tensions continuing to simmer, the press and the public eye are watching closely to see whether the fragile ceasefire will hold or if escalating hostilities will undermine the broader reconciliation process.
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