Just before Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s visits to Baghdad and Erbil (Hewlêr), an extensive Turkish military attack has been launched on the Metîna region in Iraqi Kurdistan. The attacks, which began on 16 April, have escalated, affecting several villages.
The Metîna region has been under heavy bombardment since the night of 16 April, according to ANF news agency. The affected areas include Asê, Yekmalê, Xirabê, Xankê and Şêlazê villages. The following nights saw expanded attacks by helicopters and warplanes, targeting Girê Çarçel and Girê Ortê areas, with the attacks broadening further on the night of 19 April towards the Dergelê area.
President Erdoğan, who will mark his first visit to Baghdad in 12 years on 22 April, is expected to address the ongoing military operations in Zap, Avaşîn and Metîna during his discussions. The attacks are extensive and are expected to draw a response from the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) soon, according to the ANF report.
In response to the intensifying attacks, the HPG issued a detailed statement condemning the ongoing Turkish military operations in Metîna. “The invading Turkish army launched an occupation attack on the night of 16 April, targeting Asê, Yekmalê, Xirabê, Xankê, and Şêlazê villages,” the statement outlined. It further criticised the Turkish military’s tactics, describing them as a phased approach to expand their occupation in the region.
The HPG statement continued, “Subsequent nights saw Girê Çarçel and Girê Ortê Resistance Areas come under heavy bombing from attack helicopters and warplanes. On the night of 19 April, the offensive extended towards the Dergelê area.” Highlighting the broader scale of the military campaign, the HPG confirmed that areas such as Girê Hakkarî, Girê Şehîd Çekdar and Girê Şehîd Piling, among others, are currently under siege. “These regions are not only facing aerial bombardments but are also being shelled by artillery and howitzers from land,” the statement concluded, promising to keep the public informed as more details emerge.
Erdoğan’s diplomatic engagement comes amid heightened Turkish military activity in the region, sparking criticism from Kurdish organisations and calls on Iraqi and Kurdistan region authorities. In this context, Kurdish leaders specifically urged the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) to cease cooperation with Turkey, warning against participating in actions perceived as genocidal or as attempts to occupy Kurdish regions. Cemil Bayık of the Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) criticised the KDP’s involvement in relations between Turkey and Iraq, urging Iraq not to succumb to Turkey’s strategic maneuvers. “Iraq must not become complicit in Turkey’s war against the PKK,” he stated.
