Turkey launched a series of airstrikes late Wednesday on Kurdish-controlled regions in Syria and Iraq in retaliation for a deadly attack that targeted a state-owned defense manufacturer in Ankara. Attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries’ headquarters outside the capital resulted in the deaths of four people and injuries to over a dozen ors. Turkish government quickly blamed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) for what President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called a “nefarious” and orchestrated assault.
Airstrikes were Turkey’s swift response to the attack. Turkish jets bombarded key areas controlled by Kurdish-majority forces in northern Syria, including Kobani and Qamishli. Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have long been critical U.S. allies in the fight against ISIS, confirmed on Thursday that 12 people had been killed in strikes, including two children. In addition, at least 25 were injured. SDF further condemned Turkey’s airstrikes as indiscriminate, asserting that civilian infrastructure such as health centers had been directly hit.
Turkish defense ministry announced that they had successfully struck 47 “terrorist targets” across Kurdish-held areas in both Syria and Iraq. SDF, meanwhile, called for international condemnation of airstrikes, with its commander, General Mazlum Abdi, reiterating the forces’ commitment to defending its territories. “We have repeatedly shown our readiness for dialogue. Meanwhile, we affirm that our forces are ready to defend our people and land,” General Abdi wrote on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Background of Conflict
PKK, which Turkey, the U.S., and the European Union have designated as a terrorist organization, has waged an insurgency against the Turkish state since the 1980s, primarily seeking greater autonomy and rights for the Kurdish population in southeastern Turkey. PKK has its nominal headquarters in the Qandil mountains of northern Iraq, and Turkey regularly conducts military operations in that area to target groups.
The attack in Ankara comes at a time when the Turkish government has reportedly been holding renewed discussions with PKK’s imprisoned leader, Abdullah Ocalan. Ocalan has been in Turkish custody since 1999, and his nephew, Omer Ocalan, a member of Turkey’s parliament, conveyed a message on Thursday from the PKK leader, suggesting that he is prepared to seek an end to the conflict. Ocalan’s message called for dialogue and expressed a readiness to disband PKK in exchange for certain conditions, sparking speculation about possible peace talks.
Erdogan’s political ally, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), has previously suggested that Abdullah Ocalan could be paroled if he agreed to dismantle PKK, raising the possibility of a major political shift in Turkey’s longstanding struggle with Kurdish separatists.
U.S. Involvement and Response
The U.S. has so far remained notably silent on Turkish airstrikes. Around 900 U.S. forces are stationed in the region as part of an international coalition against ISIS, and SDF has been America’s key partner on the ground in northeastern Syria. Despite Turkey’s accusations, Washington has distinguished between SDF and PKK, continuing its support for SDF in its ongoing battle against ISIS remnants.
Turkish government, however, maintains that re is little distinction between the SDF and PKK, accusing the SDF of being an extension of terrorist groups. Ankara’s strikes on the region underscore a complex dynamic between Turkey, its Kurdish populations, and its NATO allies, particularly U.S. SDF’s General Mazlum Abdi called on international powers, including the U.S., to respond to Turkey’s “unlawful and unjustified” airstrikes.
Escalation in Northern Syria and Iraq
Video footage from areas affected by Turkish strikes, verified by independent sources, showed severe damage to electrical infrastructure in Kobani and Qamishli. The situation in Tal Rifaat, a strategically important area of Aleppo Governorate, also worsened. CCTV footage captured multiple explosions as Turkish jets targeted areas that Turkey claims are being used by Kurdish militants.
Turkish officials justified widespread air raids as necessary to combat terrorism and secure national borders. In a statement, Turkey’s defense ministry said that military strikes were intended to prevent further terrorist actions against Turkey. The Offensive is part of a broader and ongoing Turkish military operation in northern Syria, known as “Operation Claw-Sword,” aimed at eradicating Kurdish militant positions along Turkey’s southern border.
Civilian Impact and Regional Concerns
Humanitarian groups have raised concerns about an escalation of violence in the region, warning that Turkish airstrikes are severely impacting civilian life in Kurdish-held areas. General Abdi’s comments on the indiscriminate nature of attacks were echoed by local human rights groups, who reported that health facilities and essential services were targeted in strikes, leaving vulnerable communities even more exposed. SDF added that rescue efforts were hampered by continued shelling and aerial bombardment, further complicating the situation on the ground.
The attack on Ankara’s defense facility, which prompted Turkish retaliation, came during renewed discussions between Turkey and PKK, with reports suggesting that the Turkish government was considering new peace talks with the group. This fresh wave of violence may jeopardize any efforts toward conflict resolution shortly, analysts warn.
International observers are now closely watching developments in Ankara, as well as the situation on the ground in northern Syria and Iraq. With the Turkish government facing pressure domestically to respond forcefully to any PKK-linked attacks, and the U.S. balancing its strategic alliances in the region, ongoing conflict continues to pose a significant challenge to regional stability.
Conclusion
As Turkey continues its military operations against Kurdish militants in northern Syria and Iraq, tensions in the region remain high. Latest airstrikes mark a sharp escalation in the conflict, leaving dozens dead and injured, and raising questions about the future of Turkish-Kurdish relations, as well as the role of international powers in addressing humanitarian and political fallout from violence. With peace talks hanging in balance and the region teetering on the brink of further instability, the international community is under increasing pressure to respond to Turkey’s actions and the broader geopolitical ramifications of this conflict.
