Tensions between Turkey and the PKK have escalated following a series of events in northern Iraq. A Turkish soldier was killed by PKK forces, prompting Ankara to threaten a major offensive. In response, Turkish air operations reportedly destroyed 27 PKK targets in the region. The situation further intensified after Turkish warplanes conducted airstrikes on Kurdish militant positions in Iraq, resulting in the death of a soldier and wounding four others. Amidst these developments, the PKK claimed to have downed 15 Turkish drones, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. Arzu Yilmaz, an Erbil-based academic, highlighted the high likelihood of war and noted that the upcoming Newroz announcement by the PKK on March 21 is anticipated to be a critical moment, potentially influencing the course of the conflict.
#PKK claims to down 15 Turkish drones in #Nowruz announcement https://t.co/EmDZz6Ni9m By @amberinzaman
PKK claims to down 15 Turkish drones in Newroz announcement, @AmberinZaman reports https://t.co/dsH2pAwNTs
Turkish airstrikes destroy PKK targets in Iraq after deadly attack #terrorism https://t.co/r0UiTN6otB
Much depends on the tone of the message to be delivered by the #PKK on March 21, which marks Newroz, Arzu Yilmaz, an Erbil-based academic, tells @amberinzaman #PKK kills Turkish soldier in northern Iraq as #Turkey threatens major offensive https://t.co/oNuHp9cWoU
Turkish warplanes strike Kurdish militant positions in Iraq after attack kills soldier, wounds 4 https://t.co/2G3hnjybzA
Turkish air ops claim to have destroyed 27 PKK terrorist targets in northern Iraq #terrorism https://t.co/rCuSVaRwem
“If you were to ask me what the likelihood of war is at this time, I would say it is high," Arzu Yilmaz, Erbil-based academic tells @amberinzaman PKK kills Turkish soldier in northern Iraq as Ankara threatens major offensive https://t.co/GTcNszgJ3X
PKK kills Turkish soldier in northern Iraq as Ankara threatens major offensive, @AmberinZaman reports https://t.co/3CetxgvzgT
Will #Turkey's Erdogan seize back Istanbul and fully secure his regime in March 31 elections? Tune into @amberinzaman's podcast with @SelimKoru https://t.co/EG8w8YBuHc