The İstanbul office of Turkey’s pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party and the Duhok office of Iraqi-Kurdish Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) were targeted in separate gun attacks on Saturday, raising suspicions of coordinated actions potentially involving Turkey.
In İstanbul’s Sultangazi district, gunmen fired at the DEM Party office at around 5 a.m., shattering windows but causing no injuries. Faruk Kaya, the DEM Party’s district co-chair, said the attack was reported by local residents, and police were called to investigate.
Meanwhile, in Duhok, Iraqi Kurdistan, the PUK office was similarly attacked. Cemal Yusuf, a PUK official, confirmed that several gunmen opened fire on the building in the early morning hours, though no casualties were reported. “We have security footage of the incident, and an investigation is underway,” Yusuf stated. The attack occurred just one day after supporters of the rival Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) tore down PUK election posters in Duhok.
The timing of these attacks has led to suspicions of coordinated efforts, with some pointing to potential Turkish involvement. Turkey has a strong military presence in Iraqi Kurdistan, conducting operations ostensibly aimed at fighting the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish armed group. However, analysts suggest that Turkey’s activities in the region may be part of a broader strategy to extend its influence.
The PUK, which opposes Turkey’s growing influence in Iraqi Kurdistan, has frequently criticised the KDP, which controls much of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and maintains close ties with Turkey. PUK leaders like Bafel Talabani have accused the KDP of enabling Turkey’s military operations for political gain, positioning the PUK as defenders of Kurdish autonomy against external interference. Following this, a recent Turkish television programme suggested the assassination of PUK leader Bafel Talabani, further fuelling concerns of external interference.
With regional elections approaching in Iraqi Kurdistan, tensions between Kurdish political factions and Turkey are escalating. Investigations into the attacks on the DEM Party in Turkey and the PUK in Iraq are ongoing, but the coordinated nature of the incidents has raised concerns about external interference aimed at destabilising Kurdish political groups.
