Turkish Military Intensifies Bombardments in Kurdistan Region Amid PKK Dissolution Announcement
Peregraf
The Turkish military has escalated its operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, carrying out more than 20 artillery strikes in a single day, according to local observers. The bombardments targeted mountainous areas in Duhok province, heightening concerns among residents and escalating regional tensions.
Kamaran Osman, head of the Kurdistan team for the U.S.-based Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), reported that Turkish artillery shelled Mount Siva near the village of Balava in Amedi district at least 14 times between morning and late afternoon. "The attacks were intense and prolonged," Osman said, warning of potential civilian displacement and environmental damage.
The strikes follow a recent announcement by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) regarding its dissolution. Since May 12, when the PKK officially declared its decision, Turkish forces have conducted 31 documented attacks across the Kurdistan Region, Osman confirmed.
PKK Announces Dissolution After 12th Congress
The escalation comes after the PKK’s 12th Congress, held from May 5–7 in the Medya Defense Areas (PKK-controlled zones in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq). The congress followed a message from the group’s imprisoned founder, Abdullah Öcalan, who called for an end to armed struggle and a shift toward peaceful, democratic efforts. Öcalan’s appeal, relayed through a delegation from the pro-Kurdish DEM Party, urged the PKK to dissolve as part of a strategic move toward lasting peace.
On May 12, 2025, the PKK formally declared the termination of all activities under its name, citing decisions made during the congress. The group described the move as a "historic shift" in the Kurdish movement, resolving to:
- Dissolve its organizational structure
- End armed struggle as a method of resistance
The statement also confirmed the deaths of senior PKK figures Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun, referring to them as "martyrs."
Congress Held Amid Ongoing Conflict
The 12th Congress took place despite what the PKK called "ongoing military operations," "aerial bombardments," and an "embargo imposed by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)." Due to security concerns, the event was held simultaneously across two locations, with 232 delegates in attendance.
Key discussions included:
- The future of the PKK’s organizational structure
- The transition from armed struggle to political resistance
- Strategies for democratic societal development
The congress concluded with resolutions emphasizing a shift toward "political struggle" and "democratic solutions" over military confrontation.