The Turkish military has once again launched a series of intense bombardments targeting the Mount Matina range and surrounding border villages in the Amedi district of the Kurdistan Region, Channel8 reported on Tuesday morning.

The strikes reportedly focused on Guharze village and other areas near the town of Deraluk, as Turkish artillery units intensified operations that began yesterday.

Ongoing Clashes Despite PKK Dissolution

This escalation comes just weeks after the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) announced its decision to disband, disarm, and end operations under its name, during its 12th congress held from May 5 to 7. Despite the declaration, Turkish military operations in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) have continued unabated.

According to the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), Turkish bombardments in KRG territory have been ongoing since February 27, the day imprisoned PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan issued a statement calling for the group’s dissolution.

Impact on Civilians and Villages

The Amedi border region has long been a flashpoint for Turkish-PKK clashes, with the conflict significantly impacting civilian life. CPT reports that 206 of the region’s 306 villages have been evacuated due to ongoing military operations over the past several years.

As of 2024, at least nine civilians were killed in Turkish airstrikes, CPT stated, raising concerns about the human cost of the conflict.

Military Presence Deepens

In its latest report, CPT also revealed that the Turkish military now maintains 71 headquarters and outposts inside the Kurdistan Region, underscoring the deepening military footprint in the semi-autonomous region of Iraq.

Despite diplomatic concerns and calls for restraint, Turkey continues to justify its military operations as part of a broader campaign against what it designates as terrorist elements near its southern border.