In retaliation for an attack on TUSAS, a key defence company near Ankara, Turkey launched air strikes against Kurdish positions in Iraq and Syria, inflicting considerable damage on PKK-linked targets. Turkish officials affirmed their resolve to combat terrorism while questioning the viability of peace discussions, given the historical context of violence and conflict with the PKK.
Turkey has conducted air strikes against Kurdish positions in Iraq and Syria following an attack on the state-run aerospace and defence company, TUSAS, located near Ankara. A recent assault by suspected Kurdish militants resulted in the deaths of five individuals and injured over twenty others. The Turkish Ministry of National Defence reported that their aerial operations successfully targeted 32 sites linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which the Turkish government holds responsible for the TUSAS attack. The Ministry asserted that all possible measures were taken to ensure civilian safety during the operation. The strikes were executed within hours of the explosives being detonated and gunfire erupting at TUSAS, a company critical to Turkey’s defence sector, manufacturing a range of military and civilian aviation products as well as unmanned aerial vehicles. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Defence Minister Yasar Guler have both indicated that the PKK is presumed to be responsible for the recent violence. Minister Guler stated, “We give these PKK scoundrels the punishment they deserve every time. But they never come to their senses. We will pursue them until the last terrorist is eliminated.” The air strikes also follow remarks from Devlet Bahceli, the head of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), suggesting a potential shift in the treatment of the PKK, specifically regarding the parole of its leader, Abdullah Ocalan, contingent upon the disbanding of his group. In the meantime, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned the assault on TUSAS during discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of a BRICS leaders’ meeting. The Iraqi Embassy in Ankara condemned the TUSAS incident, emphasizing Iraq’s commitment to combating terrorism and expressing solidarity with Turkey in its fight against the PKK, which has also been banned by Iraq. Turkey routinely carries out air strikes against PKK targets in Iraq and against other Kurdish militant groups in Syria that are associated with the PKK. The UAVs produced by TUSAS have played a pivotal role in Turkey’s military efforts against Kurdish insurgents. The ongoing conflict with the PKK, which dates back to the 1980s and has claimed tens of thousands of lives, underscores the complex dynamics of Turkish Kurdish relations, especially as the main pro-Kurdish Democratic Regions Party (DBP) condemned the attack on TUSAS. Observers suggest that recent events have thrown into doubt any remaining prospects for peace negotiations.
The PKK has been engaged in an armed struggle since the 1980s, seeking autonomy for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. The conflict has resulted in significant military action and loss of life. Turkey, as well as several Western allies, categorizes the PKK as a terrorist organization, justified by its history of violence. TUSAS, a key player in the Turkish defence industry, has played a critical role in increasing Turkey’s military capabilities, notably with drones that have been integral to its counter-terror operations. The tensions often flare around attacks attributed to the PKK, prompting swift military responses from the Turkish government, which struggles with the dual challenges of internal security and external relations, particularly with Iraq, where the PKK has operated in remote areas. The recent violent encounters throw additional complications into what some perceive as a possible opening for dialogue regarding the Kurdish question in Turkey.
Turkey’s air strikes against Kurdish targets in Iraq and Syria illustrate the ongoing and intensifying conflict with the PKK following the assault on TUSAS. The Turkish government remains resolute in its stance against the PKK, asserting its commitment to national security while navigating the complexities of regional politics and internal dissent. The prospect of peace negotiations appears increasingly precarious, emphasizing the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the longstanding grievances of the Kurdish population in Turkey.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
