Evaluation of the Turkish Offensive and Guerrilla Resistance in South Kurdistan
11.07.2024
Other Languages: Greek – French
Since June 15, the Turkish Army has expanded its operations in the guerrilla regions of northern Iraq and launched a new offensive in South Kurdistan. Starting from June 15, hundreds of armored vehicles, tanks, troop carriers, thousands of soldiers, and other heavy equipment were moved across the border into northern Iraq and stationed in the guerrilla areas. Between June 22 and June 25 alone, local sources reported that over 300 armored vehicles crossed the border and advanced into the region. More than a thousand soldiers were reportedly deployed during these days, adding to the already tens of thousands of soldiers stationed in the area.
Since the Turkish Army began its offensive, there have been intense clashes between the guerrillas and the Turkish occupying forces, particularly in the Metina region in the province of Duhok in northern Iraq. The Turkish Army has attempted to seize strategic hills and has not only advanced into the mountainous regions but also into villages and small towns in the area. Images of Turkish army convoys have been reported from towns like Amediye, with several thousand inhabitants. In villages in the Metina region, the Turkish Army has set up checkpoints and has been conducting passport checks illegally, 35 kilometers inside the Iraqi border, controlling Iraqi citizens for several weeks now.
Metina under attack: Is the beginning of the large scale summer offensive here?
The offensive in South Kurdistan is not a small tactical operation or merely a maneuver to move forces from point A to point B. It marks the beginning of the summer offensive anticipated by the Kurdish freedom movement since April this year. As early as mid-April, the People’s Defense Forces reported that the Turkish Army was slowly positioning its forces and moving more troops across the border. On the other side, in the Turkish-occupied territory of North Kurdistan, forces were also being amassed. It was stated that what started in April was not the expected offensive, but the major strike would come in the summer. It appears that this offensive has now commenced with the new operations of the Turkish Army in the region.
The operations of the Turkish Army are particularly focused on the Metina region, which has been heavily contested since 2022 and the scene of intense fighting between the Turkish Army and the guerrilla forces of the People’s Defense Forces and the Free Women’s Units, the YJA Star and HPG. Despite two years of Turkish military offensives and continuous bombardment, there are still areas in Metina where the guerrillas, primarily from war tunnels, have maintained their positions and continue to resist the Turkish advance. The Turkish Army is now trying to gain control of these areas and advance into the region with full force. The checkpoints, newly established bases along strategic routes, and troops deployed in these positions aim to encircle the guerrilla forces in the remaining areas of Metina and prevent outside support from reaching the region. This is an attempt by the Turkish Army to suffocate the guerrilla resistance.
The Guerrilla resistance: A new tactical offensive
The guerrilla forces are resisting the Turkish Army’s advance, launching new tactical offensives. While the Turkish Army operates on the ground, the guerrillas have begun a new tactical air offensive. Since early June, the guerrillas’ air defense units have repeatedly attacked Turkish bases with armed drones and kamikaze drones, inflicting significant damage on the Turkish Army. The guerrillas have also managed to strike psychologically by demonstrating their ability to launch air attacks, which impacts the morale of Turkish troops. The guerrillas have responded with a new tactical offensive, and in recent days, numerous air strikes on Turkish positions have been observed through published videos.
Turkey is aiming for the Gara Mountains
The Turkish Army’s positioning in the Metina region is strategic. A look at the map reveals that Metina, especially around the city of Amediye, currently has the largest troop concentration directly north of the Gare mountain massif, one of the most important strategic strongholds of the guerrillas. Gare is a heavily forested area that has always served as a retreat for the guerrillas. The Turkish Army attempted to advance into this area in February 2021 through a major air assault operation involving about 600 special forces, but they had to retreat after four days of fighting without establishing a foothold. It appears that the Turkish Army now aims to solidify its position in Metina, amassing troops along this line to push further south towards the Gare mountains.
The Turkish Army is acting ruthlessly, especially against the civilian population in the region. Hundreds of villages are currently under fire. According to eyewitness reports, the Turkish Army deliberately sets fires and repeatedly attacks with artillery and mortars. Some villages in the Metina region have been evacuated under threat of air strikes if not vacated within 24 hours. The Turkish Army’s strategy of burning villages and forests is reminiscent of tactics used in the 1990s against the Kurdish freedom movement in North Kurdistan. During those years, the Turkish state depopulated and burned over 4000 Kurdish villages to deprive the guerrillas of their base and the population’s support. It appears the Turkish Army is attempting the same strategy in South Kurdistan.
ISIS mercenaries deployed alongside with the Turkish army
While the Kurdish Freedom Movement has repeatedly highlighted that Turkey is deploying Islamist mercenaries from Turkish-occupied areas of Syria in its military operations in Southern Kurdistan, a spokesperson for the Southern Kurdish Party revealed last week that more than 300 ISIS mercenaries are participating in the invasion of Southern Kurdistan/Northern Iraq alongside Turkish troops. Sepi Media simultaneously released the names and photos of 416 former ISIS members who were reportedly trained by the Turkish military and intelligence service MIT in occupied Afrin in Rojava (Northern Syria). This is not the first time jihadists with ties to ISIS have been reported fighting for Turkish interests against the PKK.
Collaboration by the Iraqi Central Government and the Barzani Clan’s KDP
The Turkish Army receives apparent support from the Democratic Party of Kurdistan (KDP) in parts of South Kurdistan, led by the Barzani clan. Over recent years, KDP Peshmerga forces have repeatedly allowed the Turkish Army free rein in the region, establishing checkpoints to restrict guerrilla movement. In the current operation, the KDP seems to play an even larger role, with Turkish soldiers being hidden in KDP bases before deployment and KDP Peshmerga assisting in setting up checkpoints. There also appears to be an agreement with the Iraqi central government, as there has been no protest from Baghdad against a foreign army establishing checkpoints and conducting identity checks deep within Iraqi territory. The Turkish government has exerted diplomatic and economic pressure on Iraq, including threats to cut off the Euphrates and Tigris rivers’ water supply and proposing joint economic projects like the Iraq Development Road, a 1200-kilometer trade route from the Gulf of Basra to the Turkish border.
Guerrillas and local population resist the occupation
The guerrillas are resisting the occupying forces’ attacks, and despite the Turkish Army’s success in capturing certain hills, the initiative on the battlefield lies with the guerrillas. They have adapted to the Turkish Army’s movements, using aerial reconnaissance to track troop movements and attacking Turkish forces with mobile units. The Turkish offensive is not proceeding smoothly.
In recent days, there also has been increased protests by the local population against the occupation by Turkish forces. In Behdinan, for example, residents blocked the road between Amediyê and Şeladizê to protest the ongoing Turkish offensive and the collaboration of the KDP. Some of these protests were violently dispersed by KDP Peshmerga forces.
The global solidarity-movements urgent task to bring attention to Turkey’s invasion
Solidarity movements and resistance groups must stay vigilant and aware of the dangers posed by this offensive. If the Turkish Army advances further south and gains control over areas like Gare, it would mean that nearly 75% of Duhok province would be under Turkish control. Currently, about half of the province is occupied by the Turkish Army. The governor of Sireka, in Xakurke, recently reported to Rudaw, a KDP-affiliated news agency, that over 46% of his province is no longer under his control but under Turkish control.
What is happening is a gradual occupation of South Kurdistan and northern Iraq. This is not a minor operation but a strategic major offensive by the Turkish Army. An attack on Gare would have devastating consequences for the civilian population and escalate the conflict between the guerrillas and Turkish forces to a new level. We must understand the significance of these current military actions and work to draw attention to them in Europe. The Turkish Army is committing war crimes, bombing villages, setting forests on fire, and using prohibited weapons.
We must use our means to bring attention to this issue and ensure that those supporting the Turkish state, whether through supplying technology or financing the war, are held accountable.