The Turkish military presence in the Amedi (Amêdî) Duhok Governorate of Iraqi Kurdistan has ramped up in recent days, with dozens of armoured vehicles entering the area under the supervision of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Reports on 4 July indicate that Turkish forces, including armoured vehicles and tanks, entered Amedi at around 2 am local time.
Since 22 June, hundreds of Turkish armoured vehicles, tanks and troops have been deployed, setting up checkpoints and attempting to evacuate villages in the area.
Local sources claim fires in the area were set by Turkish soldiers, allegations denied by the Turkish Ministry of Defence, which blames the fires on Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters.
On 30 June, the village of Miska, known for housing the region’s oldest church with its distinctive red roof, came under heavy bombardment. Local news outlets confirmed the attack, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. In addition, the village of Dargale was evacuated on the orders of the Turkish military, with a 24-hour deadline under threat of further bombardment.
Residents have reported that Turkish forces have been checking identity documents and restricting movement.
The presence of the Turkish military in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is not new. Historical data shows that the Turkish army’s deployment in the region has intensified over the years. Sources from the region, including media reports and local experts, suggest that Turkey is moving towards occupying a significant portion of Iraqi Kurdistan.
Since 2022, Turkey’s military operations in the area have been part of a wider strategy to counter the PKK presence. According to a report published by Channel 8 in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî), the Turkish military has deployed around 300 tanks and armoured vehicles, positioning them in villages around the Metina mountain range and the Bamerni region of Duhok.
The current phase of operations appears to be aimed at establishing a security buffer zone from the Shiladzi region to the town of Batufa. This buffer zone is intended to cut the link between the PKK fighters and other areas in Kurdish-majority southeast Turkey (Bakur). According to local sources, the Turkish military presence in the area stands at between 600 and 900 soldiers.
Over the past two months, residents of Duhok Governorate have witnessed a steady increase in the deployment of Turkish troops and heavy weapons. Recent offensives have focused on taking control of PKK bases in the Metina mountain range, with operations covering a 20 kilometre stretch. Military analysts believe Turkey’s ultimate goal is to take control of the Gara Mountains, which could result in the Kurdistan Regional Government losing control of a significant part of its territory in Duhok.
Sarteep Jawhar, a security expert on Kurdish-Iraqi issues, highlighted Turkey’s simultaneous military and diplomatic efforts. Despite ongoing attacks since 2022, Turkey has not achieved its goals. However, recent reinforcements have seen hundreds of soldiers set up positions and checkpoints in the Barwari Bala areas. Political indications are that the incursions may extend to the Sulaymaniyah region, and a high-level Turkish delegation is expected to visit Baghdad to press the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) to join the KDP-Turkey alliance.
Tevgeri Azadi (The Freedom Movement) issued a statement calling for resistance against Turkish aggression. The statement condemned Turkey’s actions as a violation of international law and an attack on Iraqi sovereignty, and criticised the lack of response from the Iraqi federal government and the Barzani family’s cooperation with the Turkish military.
Despite extensive news censorship, local sources report that the Turkish army has established over 110 military bases in the region, with recent offensives resulting in significant casualties and the need to evacuate the injured by helicopter.
Rudaw TV reported that from the beginning of the year until last month, the Turkish military carried out 833 air and artillery strikes on the Kurdistan Region, resulting in the deaths of eight civilians. The Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) has warned that the Turkish occupation could become permanent and has called for a unified response to protect the future of Iraqi communities. As tensions escalate, the situation remains volatile, with significant implications for the stability and security of the region.
