Timeline of the Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency (2015–2025)
{{short description|Phase of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict}}
{{pp-pc|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict = Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–2025)
| width = 300px
| partof = the Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency, Kurdish–Turkish conflict and the Spillover of the Syrian civil war
| image =
| caption =
| date = 24 July 2015 – 12 May 2025
({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month=07|day=24|year=2015}})
| place = Eastern and Southeastern Turkey, Northern Syria, Northern Iraq
For a map, see here
| status = Ceasefire
- Uprising suppressed in Turkey.
- Start of Turkish major intervention in Syria against YPG militants.
- Turkey advanced 15 kilometers into Kurdish Region territory in Iraq against PKK
- On 1 March 2025, PKK declared a ceasefire.
- On 12 May 2025, PKK dissolves itself.
| combatant1 = {{flag|Turkey}}
| combatant2 = {{tree list}}
- {{flagicon image|Flag of Koma Komalên Kurdistan.svg}} Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK)
- {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).svg}} PKK (until 2025)
- {{flagicon image|HPG Flag.svg|border=}} HPG
- {{flagicon image|Flag of YJA-Star.svg|border=}} YJA-STAR
- {{flagicon image|Infobox_YDGH_Flag.png}} YDG-H
- {{flagicon image|Flag of the YPS - Horizontal.svg|border=no}} CPU
- {{flagicon image|Flag of the YPS - Horizontal.svg|border=no}} YPS-Jin
- {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Syrian_Democratic_Forces.svg}} SDF
- {{flagicon image|People's Protection Units Flag.svg|border=}} YPG
- {{flagicon image|YPJ Flag.svg|border=}} YPJ
- {{flagicon image|Flag of PJAK.svg}} PFLK
- {{flagicon image|Infobox HBDH.png}} HBDH
- {{flagicon image|InfoboxTAK.png}} Kurdistan Freedom Hawks
{{tree list/end}}
| commander1 = {{flagdeco|Turkey}} Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
{{flagdeco|Turkey}} Yaşar Güler (since 10 July 2018)
{{flagdeco|Turkey}} Hulusi Akar (from 18 August 2015 to 10 July 2018)
{{flagdeco|Turkey}} Necdet Özel (until 18 August 2015)
| commander2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).svg}} Mirad Qarayîlan
{{flagicon image|Flag_of_Kurdistan_Workers_Party_(PKK).svg}} Bahoz Erdal
{{flagicon image|Flag of Koma Komalên Kurdistan.svg}} Cemil Bayık
{{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).svg}} Hülya Eroğlu{{cite news|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-militant-on-turkeys-most-wanted-list-killed-in-southeast-interior-ministry-122419|title=PKK militant on Turkey's 'most-wanted list' killed in southeast: Interior Ministry|website=Hürriyet Daily News|access-date=6 June 2021|agency=Anadolu|date=14 November 2017}}{{KIA}} (senior council member)
{{flagicon image|Flag of Koma Komalên Kurdistan.svg}} Ayfer Kordu{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-neutralizes-most-wanted-pkk-terrorist-in-n-iraq-147218|title=Turkey neutralizes most-wanted PKK terrorist in N Iraq|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=7 October 2019 |access-date=7 October 2019}}{{KIA}} (senior council member)
| units1 = {{tree list}}
- Turkish Armed Forces
- 18px Land Forces
- Special Forces
- 18px Gendarmerie
- JÖH
- JİTEM
- 20px Air Force
- Turkish National Police
- PÖH
- Village Guards
{{tree list/end}}
----
Other forces:
Grey Wolves{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/increasing-tensions-see-resurgence-turkeys-far-right-street-movements-923266627|title=Increasing tensions see resurgence of Turkey's far-right street movements|work=Middle East Eye|access-date=1 May 2016}}
| units2 = {{tree list}}
- {{flagicon image|Flag of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).svg}} PKK
- {{flagicon image|Flag of Koma Komalên Kurdistan.svg}} KCK
- {{flagicon image|HPG_Flag.svg|border=}} HPG
- {{flagicon image|Flag of YJA-Star.svg|border=}} YJA-STAR
- YDG-H
- {{flagicon image|Flag of the YPS - Horizontal.svg|border=}} YPS
- {{flagicon image|Flag of the YPS - Horizontal.svg|border=}} YPS-Jin (since 2016)
- {{flagicon image|Drapeau du Parti pour une vie libre au Kurdistan - PJAK.png}} PJAK
- HBDH
- {{flagicon image|Flag_of_Syrian_Democratic_Forces.svg}} SDF
{{tree list/end}}
| strength1 = Around 10,000 Turkish police and military personnel{{cite news|url=http://m.spiegel.de/international/world/a-1076663.html|title=The Growing Intensity of Turkey's Civil War|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=12 February 2016|publisher=De Spiegel|last1=Kuntz|first1=Katrin|last2=Belli|first2=Onur Burçak|last3=Oezmen|first3=Emin}}
360,000 active military personnel[http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/tskdaki-asker-sayisi-aciklandi,nxg9WniFLUWXrWZ9ymj2Aw] TSK'daki asker sayısı açıklandı
244,000 Police forces{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/233-bin-ozel-guvenlik-244-bin/ekonomi/ydetay/2039504/default.htm|title=233 bin özel güvenlik 244 bin polis var - Güngör Uras|website=Milliyet.com.tr|access-date=2 December 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/30220431.asp|title=İşte TSK'nın personel mevcudu|date=3 October 2015|work=Hürriyet Haber}}
(2015 figures, of which not all are directly involved)
233,000 Security Guards
54,000 Village Guards{{Cite web|title=Türkiye Son 3 Yılda Korucu Sayısını 54 Bine Çıkardı|url=https://www.amerikaninsesi.com/a/turkiye-son-3-yilda-korucu-sayisini-54-bine-cikardi/5163944.html|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Amerika'nin Sesi {{!}} Voice of America - Turkish|date=13 November 2019 |language=tr}}
| strength2 = 4,000–33,000{{cite web|url=http://fas.org/irp/world/para/pkk.htm|title=Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)|work=fas.org}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/galeri/turkiye/iste-pkkli-hainlerin-il-il-dagilimi/85 |title=The PKK In Numbers |date=28 December 2015 |newspaper=Sabah}}
Less than 30–60 left inside Turkey (per Turkey){{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/politika/icisleri-bakani-soylu-turkiyede-teroristler-180-sayisinin-altina-dustu/2399876 |title=Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) numbers per Suleyman Soylu Ministry of the Internal Affairs |date=22 December 2021 |newspaper=Anadolu Agency}}
| casualties1 =
1,494 security forces killed (per the Crisis Group)
| casualties2 = 4,786 militants killed (per the Crisis Group)
27,584+ militants killed or captured (per Turkey, includes Syrian civil war and North Iraq Turkey-PKK conflict){{Cite web|title=29 terrorists 'neutralized' in northern Syria - Turkey News|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/29-terrorists-neutralized-in-northern-syria-171461|access-date=2022-02-17|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=12 February 2022 |language=en|quote=A total of 7,584 terrorists have been neutralized inside the country, Iraq and northern Syria since July 2015, she said.}}
1,181 militants killed (per PKK; as of Jan. 2017){{cite web |url= http://www.anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hpg-releases-balance-sheet-of-war-for-2015 |title= Detained and missing for 46 days |first= ANF |last= News |access-date= 19 April 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170816013354/https://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hpg-releases-balance-sheet-of-war-for-2015 |archive-date= 2017-08-16 |url-status= dead |df= dmy}}{{cite web|url=http://ekurd.net/pkk-turkish-forces-killed-2017-01-03|title=PKK says 3,404 Turkish troops, 585 Kurdish fighters killed in 2016|date=3 January 2017|access-date=19 April 2017}}{{cite web|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/8c60f8cf-02e5-4037-8e6a-dd9dd4970941/PKK-claims-killing-7-000-Turkish-soldiers|title=PKK claims killing 7,000 Turkish soldiers|website=Kurdistan24.net|access-date=5 January 2019}}
| casualties3 = 646 civilians killed (per the Crisis Group)
226 unidentified killed (civilians or militants; per the Crisis Group)
378 civilians killed (per Turkey){{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/around-400-civilians-killed-in-pkk-attacks-across-turkey/986376|title=Around 100 civilians killed in PKK attacks across Turkey|access-date=30 November 2017}}
500–1,000 civilians killed (per HDP, as of 2016){{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-security-kurds-idUKKCN0Y810J|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518114719/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-turkey-security-kurds-idUKKCN0Y810J|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 May 2016|title=Turkey identifies 13 more dead from bomb blast in Kurdish village, clashes flare|work=Reuters|date=17 May 2016|last1=Cakan|first1=Seyhmus}}
2,000 killed in total (per UN; as of March 2017){{cite web|url=http://www.wionews.com/world/2000-killed-in-southeast-turkey-over-18-months-united-nations-13255|title=2,000 killed in southeast Turkey over 18 months: United Nations|publisher=WION|date=10 March 2017}}
350,000 displaced (per the Crisis Group){{cite web|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/turkey-cyprus/turkey/b080-the-human-cost-of-the-pkk-conflict-in-turkey-the-case-of-sur.aspx |title=The Human Cost of the PKK Conflict in Turkey: The Case of Sur - International Crisis Group |publisher=Crisisgroup.org |date=2016-03-17 |access-date=2016-05-27|df=dmy}}
| notes =
| imagesize =
}}
{{Campaignbox PKK–Turkey conflict}}
In late July 2015, the third phase of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict between various Kurdish insurgent groups and the Turkish government erupted, following a failed two and a half year-long peace process aimed at resolving the long-running conflict.
The conflict between Turkey and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) broke out again in summer 2015 following two-year-long peace negotiations. These began in late 2012, but failed to progress in light of the growing tensions on the Turkish-Syrian border in late 2014, when the Turkish state prevented its Kurdish citizens from sending support to the People's Protection Units (YPG) who were fighting against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) during the Siege of Kobani. Turkey was accused of assisting the Islamic State during the siege,{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/khairuldeen-al-makhzoomi/the-cost-of-turkeys-self-interest_b_8615668.html|title=The Cost of Turkey's Self-Interest|work=The Huffington Post|date=28 December 2015|access-date=10 May 2016}}{{Better source needed|reason=The current source is insufficiently reliable (WP:NOTRS).|date=January 2022}} resulting in the widespread 2014 Kurdish riots in Turkey involving dozens of fatalities.
In November 2015, Turkish authorities said that a number of towns and areas in the Eastern Anatolia Region had come under the control of PKK militants and affiliated armed organizations. According to Turkish government sources, between July 2015 and May 2016, 2,583 Kurdish insurgents were killed in Turkey and 2,366 in Iraq, as well as 483 members of the Turkish security forces.{{cite web|url=http://www.yenicaggazetesi.com.tr/7-bin-78-pkkli-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-138066h.htm|title=7 bin 78 PKK'lı etkisiz hale getirildiKaynak: 7 bin 78 PKK'lı etkisiz hale getirildi |date=23 May 2016 |access-date=23 May 2016}} The PKK said 1,557 Turkish security forces members were killed in 2015 during the clashes in Turkish and Iraqi Kurdistan, while it lost 220 fighters.{{cite news|title=HPG releases balance sheet of war for 2015|url=http://www.anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hpg-releases-balance-sheet-of-war-for-2015|work=ANF news|date=3 January 2015|access-date=2016-01-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816013354/https://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hpg-releases-balance-sheet-of-war-for-2015|archive-date=2017-08-16|url-status=dead}} According to the International Crisis Group, 4,310 people, including 465 civilians, were killed in Turkey between July 2015 and December 2018,{{cite web|url=http://www.crisisgroup.be/interactives/turkey/|title=Turkey's PKK Conflict: The Rising Toll|date=3 February 2022|access-date=17 February 2022}} including Kurdish lawyer Tahir Elçi.{{cite news|title=A Sisyphean Task? Resuming Turkey-PKK Peace Talks|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/europe-central-asia/western-europemediterranean/turkey/sisyphean-task-resuming-turkey-pkk-peace-talks|work=International Crisis Group|date=17 December 2015}} In March 2017, the United Nations voiced "concern" over the Turkish government's operations and called for an independent assessment of the "massive destruction, killings and numerous other serious human rights violations" against the ethnic Kurdish minority.{{cite web|url=https://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=56330#.WMMp5DvyuM8|title=UN News – Turkey: UN report details allegations of serious rights violations in country's southeast|first=United Nations News Service|last=Section|date=10 March 2017|access-date=19 April 2017}}
Since 2016, the Turkish military and Syrian National Army have conducted operations against the Syrian Democratic Forces, leading to the Turkish occupation of northern Syria.{{cite web|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/10/turkey-incursion-northern-syria-islamic-state-us-officials.html|title=Turkish incursion threatens to unleash Islamic State in Syria, US officials warn|first=Jack|last=Detsch|date=7 October 2019|website=Al-Monitor|df=dmy}}{{cite web|url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?464882-1/us-policy-syria|title=U.S. Policy Toward Syria|website=www.c-span.org}}{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/abandoned-us-commanding-general-syrian-democratic-forces/story?id=66117726|title='They abandoned us': Commanding general of US-allied Kurdish forces rails against US plans to pull back from Syria|website=ABC News}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/world/middleeast/syria-turkey-kurds-military.html|title=Caught Between Trump, Turkey and Kurds, Pentagon Struggles to Piece Together Syria Strategy|first1=Helene|last1=Cooper|first2=Eric|last2=Schmitt|newspaper=The New York Times|date=7 October 2019|df=dmy}}
In May 2022, the conflict gained global geopolitical significance as Turkey opposed the accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO, accusing them of supporting the PKK.{{cite journal |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/nato-jens-stoltenberg-turkey-concern-sweden-finland/ |title=NATO's Stoltenberg: Turkey needs to be heard on Sweden, Finland concerns |date=12 June 2022 |journal=Politico}}
On 27 February 2025 Abdullah Öcalan called for an end to the over-40-year conflict, and that the PKK disarm and disband.{{cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/turkey-pkk-ocalan-peace-talks-68decd55c35fa537f04b117bc9736128 |title=Kurdish leader Ocalan issues message from prison, urging PKK to disarm to make peace with Turkey |publisher=Associated Press |date=27 February 2025}}
Background
{{main|Solution process|2014 Kurdish riots in Turkey|Rojava–Islamist conflict}}
The Kurdish-Turkish peace process saw negotiations begin between jailed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader Abdullah Ocalan and the Turkish government in late 2012. A ceasefire was called, and the PKK agreed to withdraw from Turkish Kurdistan into Iraqi Kurdistan.{{Cite journal|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2013/0508/PKK-militants-start-withdrawal-from-Turkey-fueling-optimism-for-peace-process|title=PKK militants start withdrawal from Turkey, fueling optimism for peace process|date=8 May 2013|journal=Christian Science Monitor}} In 2014, anger increased among Turkish Kurds with what they saw as the Turkish state's facilitation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant's assault on Syrian Kurds during the Rojava–Islamist conflict,{{Cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/nov/18/turkey-cut-islamic-state-supply-lines-erdogan-isis|title=Turkey could cut off Islamic State's supply lines. So why doesn't it? {{pipe}} David Graeber|date=18 November 2015|website=the Guardian}} culminating in the 2014 Kurdish riots in Turkey during the Siege of Kobanî. The June 2015 Turkish general election saw Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lose its majority, and gains for the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). Tensions increased further after the Suruç bombing and Ceylanpınar incident in July, after which the Turkish government launched the 2015 police raids in Turkey and attacked PKK positions in Iraq, prompting the PKK to call off its ceasefire.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkish-airstrikes-against-pkk-iraq-throw-two-year-ceasefire-kurds-jeopardy-10416213.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkish-airstrikes-against-pkk-iraq-throw-two-year-ceasefire-kurds-jeopardy-10416213.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Turkish raids have thrown a ceasefire with the Kurds into jeopardy|date=25 July 2015|website=The Independent}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/8/10/end-of-turkey-pkk-ceasefire-puts-hdp-in-a-tough-spot|title=HDP in a tough spot|author=Lucy Kafanov|work=Al Jazeera}}
Belligerents
=Turkish military and affiliates=
Turkish Forces consisting of Turkish Land Forces troops, Gendarmerie operatives and Police Special Operations teams are backed by the rest of the Turkish Armed Forces. They are supported by a system of "village guards" which represent a feudal part of Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/750-village-guards-employed-in-northern-turkey-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98088&NewsCatID=341|title=750 village guards employed in northern Turkey|date=20 April 2016|access-date=23 June 2016}} There have been recurring reports of the resurfacing Jitem "military police intelligence and anti-terrorist service" which had been responsible for massacres in the 1990s, and of irregular foreign jihadists, being employed.{{cite web|url=http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=77681|title=750 village guards employed in northern Turkey|work=Le Monde diplomatique|author=Laura-Maï Gaveriaux|publisher=Middle East Online|date=11 July 2016|access-date=11 July 2016|df=dmy|archive-date=12 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160712125623/http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/?id=77681|url-status=dead}}
In 2016 the Turkish government of president Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) were increasingly portraying the party they oppose as an enemy of an "islamic order", referring to the PKK and its affiliates and supporters as "atheists and Zoroastrians".
=PKK and affiliates=
In 2008, according to information provided by the Intelligence Resource Program of the Federation of American Scientists the strength of the organization in terms of human resources consists of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 militants of whom 3,000 to 3,500 are located in northern Iraq.{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/irp/world/para/pkk.htm|title=Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)|work=Federation of American Scientists|access-date=23 July 2008|date=21 May 2004|first=John|last=Pike}} With the new wave of fighting from 2015 onward, observers said that active support for the PKK had become a "mass phenomenon" in majority ethnic Kurdish cities in the Southeast of the Republic of Turkey, with large numbers of local youth joining PKK-affiliated local militant groups.{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/09/turkey-kurds-pkk-daglica-war-be-sustained-bloody-day.html|title=6 reasons why Turkey's war against the PKK won't last|publisher=Al-Monitor|date=2015-09-08|access-date=2016-05-18|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160328074432/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/09/turkey-kurds-pkk-daglica-war-be-sustained-bloody-day.html|archive-date=2016-03-28}}
According to Turkish estimates the PKK has a much larger size than the previously stated size standing at over 32,800 active fighters spanning across north-western Syria, south-eastern Turkey, northern Iraq and north-western Iran concentrated on the Qandil mountain range.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sabah.com.tr/galeri/turkiye/iste-pkkli-hainlerin-il-il-dagilimi|title=İşte hainlerin il il dağılımı|website=Sabah}}
PKK bases remain active in Northern Iraq and its leadership suspected in the Qandil Mountains in Iraq and Iran.{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/turkeys-most-wanted-vice-news-meets-pkk-leader-cemil-bayik/|title=Turkey's Most Wanted: VICE News Meets PKK Leader Cemil Bayik|author=John Beck|work=VICE News|date=22 January 2016 |access-date=31 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/pkk-youth-fighting-for-kurdish-neighborhoods/|title=PKK Youth: Fighting for Kurdish Neighborhoods|work=VICE News|date=14 February 2015 |access-date=31 March 2016}} From the traditional preceding Turkish-PKK conflicts the PKK insurgency has transitioned into urban warfare in the country's densely populated south east.{{cite web|url=http://www.crisisgroup.org/en/regions/europe/turkey-cyprus/turkey/b080-the-human-cost-of-the-pkk-conflict-in-turkey-the-case-of-sur.aspx|title=The Human Cost of the PKK Conflict in Turkey: The Case of Sur|date=17 March 2016 |access-date=6 April 2016}}
2015 timeline
{{main|Timeline of the Kurdish-Turkish conflict}}
File:Birlik 90Yeşiller eşbaşkanı Cem Özdemir'in Leyle İmret ile görüşmesi.jpg, a former mayor of Cizre, and German politician Cem Özdemir, 15 September 2015]]
=July=
==Suruç bombing and suspected Turkish ISIL retaliations==
{{see also|Ceylanpınar incidents}}
On 20 July 2015, a bombing in the predominantly Kurdish district of Suruç, reportedly perpetrated by the Dokumacılar group linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), killed 32 young activists and injured over 100. Most victims were members of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) Youth Wing and the Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF), university-aged students who were giving a press statement on their planned trip to reconstruct the Syrian border town of Kobanî in the de facto autonomous Federation of Northern Syria - Rojava.[http://www.euronews.com/2015/07/20/turkey-death-toll-climbs-in-suruc-attack/ 'Turkey: Death toll climbs in Suruc attack'], Euronews, 20 July 2015; retrieved 21 August 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/sosyalist-genclik-dernegi-gundem-2090164|title=Sosyalist Gençlik Derneği Federasyonu - SGDF amacı nedir, kimdir?|date=20 July 2015|work=Milliyet|access-date=21 July 2015}}
- On 21 July, the Turkish authorities said that the PKK's military wing has killed a Turkish soldier and wounded two more in Adıyaman, in retaliation for Suruc and what they say was Turkey's collaboration with ISIL.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33667427|title=Turkey car bomb kills two soldiers as PKK truce breaks down|work=BBC News|date=26 July 2015|access-date=31 March 2016}}
- On 22 July, in Ceylanpinar (Turkey), two policemen were shot in the head by gunmen in their sleep.{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2015/07/22/97001-20150722FILWWW00078-turquie-2-policiers-tues-dans-une-attaque.php|title=Turquie : 2 policiers tués dans une attaque|work=Le Figaro|date=22 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/international/turquie-le-pkk-revendique-le-meurtre-de-deux-policiers-suite-a-l-attentat-de-suruc-22-07-2015-4964101.php|title=Turquie: le PKK revendique le meurtre de deux policiers suite à l'attentat de Suruç|date=22 July 2015|work=Le Parisien}} A week later, however, Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) spokesman Demhat Agit said PKK was not involved, saying "these are the units independent from the PKK. They are local forces which organized themselves and not affiliated with us", despite reports that the PKK had previously claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/national_kck-official-says-pkk-not-responsible-for-murders-of-2-turkish-policemen_394957.html|title=KCK official says PKK not responsible for murders of 2 Turkish policemen|date=29 July 2015|work=Today's Zaman|access-date=27 September 2015|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150729143815/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_kck-official-says-pkk-not-responsible-for-murders-of-2-turkish-policemen_394957.html|archive-date=29 July 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11755018/Two-Turkish-police-officers-killed-close-to-Syria-border.html|title=Kurdish militants claim 'revenge' killing of two Turkish policemen|date=22 July 2015|work=The Telegraph|access-date=24 October 2015}}
==Operation Martyr Yalçın against PKK==
{{main|Operation Martyr Yalçın}}
The 21 and 22 July attacks were proclaimed a casus belli by the Turkish government, which resulted in Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu taking the decision to begin active air operations against PKK positions in Iraq. This was internationally perceived as the end of the ceasefire period in the Kurdish-Turkish conflict.{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news-19-6/turkish-airstrikes-against-pkk-in-iraq-throw-two-year-ceasefire-with-kurds-into-jeopardy-10416213.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220621/https://www.independent.co.uk/news-19-6/turkish-airstrikes-against-pkk-in-iraq-throw-two-year-ceasefire-with-kurds-into-jeopardy-10416213.html |archive-date=21 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Turkish airstrikes against PKK in Iraq throw two-year ceasefire with Kurds into jeopardy|date=15 July 2015|access-date=26 June 2016|work=The Independent}}{{cite news|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21659870-truce-between-turkey-and-kurdish-militants-over-turkey-and-kurds|title=The truce between Turkey and Kurdish militants is over|date=26 July 2015|access-date=26 June 2016|newspaper=The Economist}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/08/turkey-pkk-ceasefire-puts-hdp-tough-spot-150806110231827.html|title=End of Turkey-PKK ceasefire puts HDP in a tough spot|date=10 August 2015|access-date=26 June 2016|work=Al Jazeera}} The New York Times assessed that "the Iraq raids, which began late Friday and continued into Saturday, effectively ended an unstable two-year cease-fire between the Turkish government and the Kurdish militants, also known by the initials of their Kurdish name, PKK".{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/world/middleeast/turkey-attacks-kurdish-militant-camps-in-northern-iraq.html|title=Turkey Attacks Kurdish Militant Camps in Northern Iraq|date=15 July 2015|access-date=26 June 2016|work=The Independent}}
- On 24 July, members of the PKK abducted a policeman in the province of Diyarbakir. Additionally two police officers were injured, one with life-threatening injuries, after a suspected PKK grenade attack in Hakkari.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/national_pkk-kidnaps-police-officer-in-diyarbakir_394552.html|title=PKK kidnaps police officer in Diyarbakır|date=24 July 2015|work=Today's Zaman|access-date=2 August 2015|archive-date=1 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801103502/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_pkk-kidnaps-police-officer-in-diyarbakir_394552.html|url-status=dead}}
- On 25 July, two Turkish soldiers were killed and four were wounded in a car bomb attack in the province of Diyarbakir in Turkey by PKK fighters.{{cite web|url=http://www.rfi.fr/europe/2min/20150726-turquie-ei-pkk-kurdes-jihadistes-erdogan-degradation-violences-arrestations-syrie-ir/|title=Turquie: après la mort de deux soldats, la tension est à son comble|date=26 July 2015|work=RFI}}{{cite news|url=http://www.lapresse.ca/international/dossiers/le-groupe-etat-islamique/201507/26/01-4888204-la-turquie-reprend-ses-raids-contre-le-pkk.php|title=La Turquie reprend ses raids contre le PKK|work=La Presse|date=26 July 2015}}
==Operations Arslan Kulaksız and Hamza Yıldırım==
Turkish Forces on 26 July reportedly again attacked the same village west of Kobani targeting Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighters, and fired on a YPG vehicle west of Tell Abyad.{{cite news|title=Turkey confirms shelling Kurdish fighters in Syria|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-34645462|access-date=12 January 2016|work=BBC News|language=en-GB}}
- On 26 July, it was reported that F-16s yet again took off from Diyarbakır, this time only targeting PKK targets in Northern Iraq. Although there was no official government statement on the airstrikes, PKK sources said that one of their key bases in Hakurk was attacked.{{cite web|url=http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/diyarbakirdan-yine-f-16lar-havalandi%2cLQCPj2P3uEKbPKZt8zmEig|title=F-16'lar yine havalandı|date=26 July 2015|work=NTV}} It was reported that the number of fighter jets taking part was significantly lower than the jets that took part in the previous waves of the operation.{{cite web|url=http://www.sozcu.com.tr/2015/gundem/tsk-pkkyi-yine-vurdu-893693/|title=TSK, PKK'yı yine vurdu|date=26 July 2015|work=Sözcü}} The same day, Turkish artillery shelled a PKK position in the north of Iraq over several hours.{{cite web|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/936210/turquie-nouveaux-tirs-dartillerie-turcs-sur-le-pkk-dans-le-nord-de-lirak.html|title=Turquie : nouveaux tirs d'artillerie turcs sur le PKK dans le nord de l'Irak|work=L'Orient Le Jour|date=26 July 2015}}
- On 27 July, in the province of Muş the Turkish head of the gendarmerie of the Malazgirt district was killed.{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2015/07/27/97001-20150727FILWWW00344-turquie-un-militaire-tue-par-balles.php|title=Turquie: un militaire tué par balles|work=Le Figaro|date=27 July 2015}}
- On 28 July, for the first time since the beginning of the operation, two Turkish F-16s bombed PKK fighters inside Turkey, in the province of Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://www.lefigaro.fr/flash-actu/2015/07/28/97001-20150728FILWWW00246-l-armee-turque-pillone-le-pkk-dans-le-sud-est.php|title=L'armée turque pilonne le PKK dans le sud-est|work=Le Figaro|date=28 July 2015}}
- On 28 July, the pipeline between Turkey and Iran was blown up in the province of Agri in Turkey, according to the authorities PKK involvement was suspected{{cite web|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/936488/turquie-le-gazoduc-irano-turc-sabote-le-pkk-suspecte.html|title=Turquie: le gazoduc irano-turc saboté, le PKK suspecté|work=L'Orient-Le Jour|date=28 July 2015}} while a sergeant of the Turkish army was killed; according to the army, the PKK is responsible.{{cite web|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/936539/turquie-un-militaire-tue-dans-le-sud-est-a-majorite-kurde.html|title=Turquie: un militaire tué dans le sud-est à majorité kurde|work=L'Orient-Le Jour|date=28 July 2015}} In another province, a police officer was kidnapped by suspected Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in southeastern Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/news/564079--policeman-kidnapped-in-southeastern-turkey|title=Policeman kidnapped in southeastern Turkey|work=Anadolu Agency}}
- On 28–29 July, a new wave of shelling was launched in the night and PKK camps in Zap, Metina, Gara, Avaşin-Basyan, Hakurk and the Qandil Mountains in northern Iraq were hit by Turkish fighter jets in an operation named after the recently killed gendarmerie major, Arslan Kulaksız.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/29/1302-detained-in-anti-terror-operations-turkish-jets-hit-pkk-camps-in-iraq-turkeys-prime-ministry|title=1,302 detained in anti-terror operations, Turkish jets hit PKK camps in Iraq: Turkeys Prime Ministry|date=29 July 2015|work=Daily Sabah|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=10 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810091739/http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/29/1302-detained-in-anti-terror-operations-turkish-jets-hit-pkk-camps-in-iraq-turkeys-prime-ministry|url-status=dead}}
- On 29 July, the oil pipeline between Kirkuk (Iraq) and Ceyhan (Turkey) was blown up in the east Turkey, in the Sirnak province{{cite web|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/headline/564359--oil-pipeline-blown-up-in-east-turkey|title=Oil pipeline blown up in east Turkey|work=Anadolu Ajansı|access-date=1 August 2015}} while in Hakkari, police quarters was under attack with heavy arms, including rocket launchers and long barrel rifles.{{cite web|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/564143--turkey-military-police-quarters-attacked-in-hakkari|title=Turkey: Military, police quarters attacked in Hakkari|work=Anadolu Ajansı|access-date=1 August 2015}} In another attack, one soldier was killed and 4 other were wounded in an attack in the Doğubeyazıt district in the eastern province of Ağri.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/29/pkk-continues-hit-and-run-attacks-against-turkish-military-1-soldier-dead-4-soldiers-wounded|title=PKK continues hit and run attacks against Turkish military, 1 soldier dead, 4 soldiers wounded|date=29 July 2015|work=DailySabah|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=10 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150810100633/http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/29/pkk-continues-hit-and-run-attacks-against-turkish-military-1-soldier-dead-4-soldiers-wounded|url-status=dead}}
- On 30 July, a policeman and a civilian were killed in the town of Cinar by PKK guerilla according to the authority,{{cite web|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/936860/turquie-un-policier-et-un-civil-tues-dans-une-attaque-attribuee-au-pkk-medias.html|title=Turquie: un policier et un civil tués dans une attaque attribuée au PKK (médias)|work=L'Orient-Le Jour|date=30 July 2015|access-date=1 August 2015}} while three soldiers were killed in the attack of their convoy by PKK fighters in the province of Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/936882/turquie-trois-soldats-tues-par-le-pkk-dans-le-sud-est-du-pays.html|title=Turquie: trois soldats tués dans l'attaque d'un convoi militaire par le PKK (armée)|work=L'Orient-Le Jour|date=30 July 2015|access-date=1 August 2015}}
- On 31 July, Turkish reconnaissance aircraft once again flew over YPG territory in the north of Syria. While in Iraq, Turkish fighter jets shelling massively PKK positions.{{cite web|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/936918/turquie-une-trentaine-de-f-16-turcs-ont-mene-jeudi-de-nouveaux-raids-contre-les-rebelles-du-pkk-medias.html|title=Turquie: nouveaux raids massifs de l'aviation turque contre le PKK (médias)|work=L'Orient-Le Jour|date=30 July 2015|access-date=4 August 2015}}
- On 31 July, Turkish fighter jets shelled bases of PKK in the north of Iraq, with 30 warplanes were involved. This operation was named Hamza Yıldırım in honor of the Corporal Hamza Yıldırım killed by the PKK in Turkey a few days earlier.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/31/turkey-honors-its-soldier-killed-on-duty-by-naming-an-airstrike-after-him|title=Turkey|date=31 July 2015|work=Daily Sabah|access-date=4 August 2015|archive-date=2 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802210140/http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/31/turkey-honors-its-soldier-killed-on-duty-by-naming-an-airstrike-after-him|url-status=dead}}
- On 31 July, two policemen and two PKK fighters were killed by the PKK, in a PKK raid on a police station in Pozanti, Adana. In a separate incident, PKK militants bombed a railway line in the province of Kars in the country's east, killing a worker,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-33750803|title=Turkish troops killed in 'Kurdish PKK suicide blast'|work=BBC News|date=2 August 2015|access-date=2 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/937036/turquie-deux-policiers-tues-dans-une-attaque-attribuee-au-pkk.html|title=Turquie: deux policiers tués dans une attaque attribuée au PKK|work=L'Orient-Le Jour|date=31 July 2015|access-date=1 August 2015}} while three PKK fighters were killed in Agri province.{{cite web|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/news/566125--three-militants-killed-in-eastern-turkey|title=Three militants killed in eastern Turkey|work=Anadolu Ajansı|access-date=1 August 2015}}
=August=
- On 1 August, two PKK fighters were killed and one civilian wounded in an attack in Çatak{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/31/2-pkk-militants-captured-dead-in-simultaneous-attack-in-eastern-turkey|title=2 PKK militants captured dead in simultaneous attack in eastern Turkey|date=1 August 2015|work=DailySabah|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=2 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802210122/http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/31/2-pkk-militants-captured-dead-in-simultaneous-attack-in-eastern-turkey|url-status=dead}} while PKK fighters took 70 hostages for two hours in the Kars-Erzurum-Iğdır highway.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/31/pkk-blocks-road-takes-70-hostage|title=PKK blocks road, takes 70 hostage|date=31 July 2015|work=DailySabah|access-date=1 August 2015|archive-date=2 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802210131/http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2015/07/31/pkk-blocks-road-takes-70-hostage|url-status=dead}}
- On 2 August, one Turkish soldier was killed and four injured after a military convoy hit a mine in the Mardin Province. Both attacks were blamed on the PKK.
- On 4 August, PKK forces attacked a guard post in Şırnak Province with an RPG, killing one soldier and injuring another. In a separate attack, a mine killed two soldiers, also in Şırnak Province resulting in Turkish F-16s targeting PKK camps in the country's Hakkarı Province, with no information on casualties.
- On 7 August, PKK attacks left eight dead during numerous attacks. In Silopi, Şırnak Province, five were killed during clashes between Police and the PKK, resulting in the deaths of at least one soldier and one police officer. In Doğubayazıt, Ağrı Province, a PKK attack left one soldier and one militant dead. A PKK attack on a police patrol in Milyat, Mardin Province killed one police officer. Elsewhere clashes were reported in Cizre and Uludere, Şırnak Province, Başkale, Van Province and Nusaybin, Mardin Province. PKK militants were also reported to have hijacked a minibus near Beytüşşebap, Şırnak Province.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/three-killed-one-injured-in-armed-conflict-in-southeast-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=86587&NewsCatID=341|title=Five killed as PKK continues its attacks in Turkey – LOCAL|date=8 August 2015 |access-date=9 August 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-attacks-claim-26-lives-in-turkey-since-early-july.aspx?pageID=238&nID=86670&NewsCatID=509|title=PKK attacks claim 26 lives in Turkey since early July – CRIME|date=9 August 2015 |access-date=27 September 2015}}
- On 10 August, 9 people were killed in a series of PKK attacks in Turkey. In İstanbul, a car bomb targeted a police station, injuring ten police officers, one police officer and two attackers were killed in subsequent clashes. Two others attackers launched an attack on the US consulate in Istanbul however there were no casualties, police arrest one of the attackers, a female, in clashes following the attack. In Silopi, Şırnak Province, a mine hit a police convoy killing four officers. In Beytüşşebap, Sirnak Province, militants opened fire on a military helicopter, killing one soldier.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/round-up-at-least-6-security-personnel-killed-in-attacks-in-istanbul-southeast-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=86717&NewsCatID=509|title=Round-up: At least 6 security personnel killed in attacks in Istanbul, southeast Turkey – CRIME|date=11 August 2015 |access-date=11 August 2015}} Turkish security forces killed a female PKK fighter named Kevser Eltürk, took a picture of her body after they stripped her naked, and distributed the photo.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/turkey-probe-naked-images-female-kurdish-terrorist-slain-by-special-forces-643230|title=Turkey to Probe 'Naked Images' Leaked Online of Female Kurdish Guerilla, Slain by Special Forces|date=17 August 2015|work=International Business Times, India Edition|access-date=24 October 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://ekurd.net/naked-pkk-photo-sparks-online-furor-2015-08-20|title=Leaked photo of naked Kurdish PKK female fighter sparks online furor|work=Kurd Net – Ekurd.net Daily News|date=20 August 2015|access-date=24 October 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vocativ.com/news/222390/anger-after-a-female-kurdish-fighter-is-killed-stripped/|title=Anger After A Female Kurdish Fighter Is Killed, Stripped|access-date=24 October 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005085112/http://www.vocativ.com/news/222390/anger-after-a-female-kurdish-fighter-is-killed-stripped/|archive-date=5 October 2015}}
- On 14 August, 4 soldiers were killed in a series of PKK attacks. Three soldiers were killed and six injured during clashes with the PKK in Dağlıca, Hakkarı Province. A civilian was killed during clashes between Police and the PKK in Bağlar, Diyarbakır.{{cite web|title=PKK kills four more soldiers as Turkey faces non-stop violence in east – LOCAL| date=16 August 2015 |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-kills-four-more-soldiers-as-turkey-faces-non-stop-violence-in-east.aspx?pageID=238&nID=86942&NewsCatID=341|access-date=27 September 2015}}
- On 19 August, 4 Turkish police officers were killed by a roadside bomb {{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/09/03/Four-Turkish-police-killed-in-PKK-bombing-security-sources.html|title=Four Turkish police killed in PKK bombing: security sources|website=English.alarabiya.net|date=3 September 2015|access-date=5 January 2019}}
=September=
- On 3 September, PKK killed 4 Turkish police officers in Mardin province.{{cite web|url=https://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/09/03/Four-Turkish-police-killed-in-PKK-bombing-security-sources.html|title=Four Turkish police killed in PKK bombing: Security sources |date=3 September 2015 |access-date=3 September 2015}}
- On 5 September, the Turkish security forces besieged Cizre, in a one-week operation. The operations were reported to result in about 30 deaths among city's Kurdish residents.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34206924|title=Turkey Kurds: Many dead in Cizre violence as MPs' march blocked|work=BBC News|date=10 September 2015|access-date=27 November 2015}}
- On 6 September, PKK killed 16 Turkish soldiers by a double bombing on a military convoy in Hakkari Province.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34183797|title=Turkey sends ground forces into Iraq after militant attacks|work=BBC News|date=8 September 2015|access-date=27 September 2015}}
- On 8 September, PKK forces ambushed a Police minibus killing 14 officers. A second attack also resulted in the shooting and killing of a police officer by PKK forces.
- On 25–26 September, 34 PKK militants, 4 civilians and 2 Turkish soldiers were killed in Şırnak Province. PKK sources said 14 Kurdish insurgents and 75 Turkish Soldiers were killed.{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/09/scores-killed-southeastern-turkey-clashes-150926142625145.html|title=Turkey says scores killed in southeastern clashes|date=26 September 2015}}{{cite news|url=http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/27092015/|title=PKK: Dozens of Turkish soldiers killed in ongoing clashes|date=27 September 2015}}
- On 28 September, the Kurdish lawyer Tahir Elçi was killed.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-34952954|title=Pro-Kurdish lawyer shot dead in Turkey|date=2015-11-28|access-date=2020-01-07|language=en-GB}}
The Turkish police used "Armenian" as an insult to refer to the Kurdish people in Cizre and Burhan Kuzu, a senior adviser to the President of Turkey, said that PKK members were uncircumcised implying that they were Armenians.{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2015/10/turkey-armenian-kurds-minorities-forced-to-be-turkish.html|title=Grew up Kurdish, forced to be Turkish, now called Armenian – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East|work=Al-Monitor|date=9 October 2015 |access-date=24 October 2015}}
=October=
{{further|2015 Hakkari assault}}
- On 2 October, the Turkish military entered the southeastern city of Silvan, in the Diyarbakır Province with tanks, armored carriers and hundreds of troops to seek out and destroy PKK elements within the city. Resulting clashes left at least 17 PKK militants dead while PKK affiliated locals said the Turkish military had bombed civilian areas with artillery.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
- On 4 October, a video was released in which Hacı Lokman Birlik, a 24-year-old protester, was killed by Turkish security forces before his body was tied to a police car and dragged through the streets. Some pro-government journalists and AKP members called the released video from the incident as a fake and photoshopped, while other Turkish newspapers, such as Sabah called it a "common routine against terrorists".{{cite news|title=Sabah'a göre cansız bir bedenin yerde sürüklenmesi 'rutin uygulama'|url=http://www.diken.com.tr/sabaha-gore-cansiz-bir-bedenin-yerde-suruklenmesi-rutin-uygulama/|access-date=25 November 2016|work=Diken|date=4 October 2015}} Haci Lokman Birlik was the brother-in-law of former HDP MP Leyla Birlik. Later, Prime Minister of Turkey, Ahmet Davutoglu, said "it is not acceptable" and that both officers who were responsible of dragging the body of Birlik were fired. However, the HDP released a statement stating that both officers haven't been fired and statements of Ahmet Davutoglu are not true.{{cite news|title=HDP Hacı Lokman Birlik konusunda Başbakan'ı yalanladı|url=http://www.cagdasses.com/guncel/29799/hdp-haci-lokman-birlik-konusunda-basbakani-yalanladi|access-date=25 November 2016|work=Çağdaş Ses|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012045208/http://www.cagdasses.com/guncel/29799/hdp-haci-lokman-birlik-konusunda-basbakani-yalanladi|archive-date=2017-10-12|url-status=usurped}}
- On 10 October, a double suicide bombing was carried out in Ankara during an anti-war demonstration rally held by pro-Kurdish, leftist and communist civilians. The bombing resulted in at least 102 killed amongst the demonstrators.
=November=
- On 5 November, the Turkish military concluded the 40-day long 2015 Hakkari assault ground offensive in the mountains of the south-eastern border province in which hundreds of PKK fighters were killed, dozens of their bunkers were destroyed and dozens of anti-aircraft weaponry was captured.The Daily Telegraph, Monday 23 November 2015, [paper only], World news, p.19
- On 15 November, the Turkish Air Force bombarded 44 different locations with F-16s F-4E 2020 Terminators and unmanned drones in Northern Iraq in response to the PKK attempting to reconstruct depots, barracks, bunkers and hideouts that were destroyed earlier in the year by the air strikes conducted on 31 July.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-military-hit-44-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq.aspx?pageID=238&nID=91162&NewsCatID=341|title=Turkish military hit 44 PKK targets in northern Iraq – LOCAL|work=hurriyetdailynews.com|date=15 November 2015 |access-date=27 November 2015}}
- On 21 November, the Turkish Air Force struck 23 different locations in the Şırnak border province and in Northern Iraq destroying caches and hideouts severing PKK supply lines.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2015/11/21/turkish-military-hits-23-pkk-targets-in-n-iraq|title=Turkish military hits 23 PKK targets in N. Iraq|date=21 November 2015|work=DailySabah}} These included supply and shelter points in the mountains of Semidinli, Hakkari, south-east Turkey, north of their Iraqi and Iranian borders.
- On 22 November, the Turkish Air Force struck 7 different locations in the Hakkâri Province on the Iraqi border killing 10 PKK militants and destroying several shelters and supply points.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-airstrikes-idUSKBN0TB0L420151122|title=Turkish warplanes pound Kurdish militant targets in southeast Turkey|work=Reuters|date=22 November 2015|access-date=27 November 2015}} Two civilians were also killed during the curfew in the Nusaybin district of Mardin province on the Sunday in which on Monday 23rd entered its tenth consecutive day. The Turkish chief of General Staff earlier this year released a statement saying the Military is sensitive when it comes to civilian casualties who are caught up in armed clashes.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-military-sensitive-about-civilian-casualties-chief-of-general-staff-says.aspx?pageID=238&nID=90557&NewsCatID=341|title=Turkish military sensitive about civilian casualties, Chief of General Staff says – LOCAL|work=hurriyetdailynews.com|date=30 October 2015 |access-date=27 November 2015}}
=December=
- On 2 December, PKK militants set a remote-controlled IED trap for a Turkish Army convoy, killing one soldier and injuring 9 others in the explosion in the Mardin Province.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/three-killed-clashes-under-curfew-turkeys-southeast-145631838.html|title=Attack, clashes kill four, injure 10 in Turkey's southeast|date=2 December 2015|work=Yahoo News}}
- On 2 December, PKK militants launched an armed attack on a police checkpoint during a curfew in Sur injuring one officer and killing 3 PKK insurgents in the clash.
- On 8 December, the Turkish Air Force launched night-time airstrikes consisting of 10 F-16s into Northern Iraq's Kandil, Harkuk, Zap and Avasin-Basyan regions.{{cite web|url=http://neurope.eu/article/amid-tensions-with-iraq-turkish-air-force-hits-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq/|title=Amid tensions with Iraq, Turkish air force hits PKK targets in Northern Iraq|work=New Europe|access-date=28 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113174129/http://neurope.eu/article/amid-tensions-with-iraq-turkish-air-force-hits-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq/|archive-date=2016-01-13|url-status=dead}}
- On 11 December, the Turkish Government imposed an indefinite 24h curfew for Sur, Diyarbakır.{{Cite web|title=Indefinite 24-hour curfew, over 200,000 in danger — Amnesty Urgent Actions|url=https://ua.amnesty.ch/urgent-actions/2016/01/006-16?ua_language=en|access-date=2020-06-28|website=ua.amnesty.ch}}
- On 13 December, PKK militants launched 18 different explosive attacks on a police station in Dargeçit consisting of anti-armor RPG rockets and grenades injuring 3 police officers and 3 civilians just hours after counter-insurgency operation in the same town killed 11 militants.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 14 December, the Turkish Government imposed an indefinite 24h curfew for the cities Cizre and Silopi.
- On 15 December, the Turkish Army and Police launched a massive operation in Şırnak Province's towns of Cizre and Silopi
- On 17 December, in Cizre and Silopi the Turkish Army and Police Special Operations units backed by tanks, armored vehicle units, and helicopters began an operation which killed over 127 Kurdish rebels in a week. Also 27 civilians were reported to have died due to the operation. Security forces raided cleared abandoned houses and trenches, destroyed barricades while fighting through and liberating militant stronghold neighborhoods. Tank shelling and artillery strikes in the surrounding mountains were also conducted, cut-off neighborhood strongholds and sniper positions targeting security forces. It is estimated half the towns population had been driven out since violence sparked-up earlier in the year leaving many unoccupied apartments and houses to be utilized by the PKK to fortify and reinforce their presence prior to this operation.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/turkish-army-kills-55-kurdish-militants-during-battle-party-calls-for-resistance-20151218-glreux.html|title=Turkish Army kills 55 Kurdish militants during battle, party calls for resistance|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=18 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2015/12/18/cizre-ve-silopide-3-gunde-kac-terorist-olduruldu|title=Cizre ve Silopi'de 3 günde kaç terörist öldürüldü?|date=18 December 2015|work=Sabah}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35142586|title=Turkey kills 70 Kurdish militants, vowing to prevent 'chaos'|work=BBC News|date=19 December 2015}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKBN0U30G720151220|title=Turkish military offensive kills 110 Kurdish militants in six days: security sources|author=Seyhmus Cakan|date=20 December 2015|work=Reuters}}{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/report-115-kurdish-rebels-killed-in-recent-turkish-military-operations|title=Report: 115 Kurdish rebels killed in recent Turkish military operations|work=Fox News|date=21 December 2015 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKBN0U51UR20151222|title=Turkish tanks pound Kurdish militants in week-long military campaign|author=Seyhmus Cakan|date=22 December 2015|work=Reuters}}
- On 18 December, the Turkish minister of the interior Efkan Ala declared over 3,000 PKK militant had been neutralized, 10 tons of explosives had been seized, and 240 weapons had been captured since the collapse of the ceasefire earlier that year in late July {{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2015/12/18/efkan-ala-3-binin-uzerinde-terorist-olduruldu|title=Efkan Ala: 3 binin üzerinde terörist öldürüldü|date=18 December 2015|work=Sabah}}
- On 21 December, a roadside bomb in Bitlis killed 2 soldiers and injured 8 others during an anti-PKK operation.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/national_3-soldiers-killed-8-injured-in-pkk-attacks-in-southeast_407602.html|title=3 soldiers killed, 8 injured in PKK attacks in Southeast|date=21 December 2015|work=TodaysZaman|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222232902/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_3-soldiers-killed-8-injured-in-pkk-attacks-in-southeast_407602.html|archive-date=22 December 2015}}
- On 30 December, 3 soldiers were wounded when PKK militants detonated an IED bomb in Sur.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-turkish-police-officers-killed-in-southeastern-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=93296&NewsCatID=509|title=Two Turkish police officers killed in southeastern Turkey - CRIME|date=2 January 2016 |access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 31 December, 1 police officer was killed and 5 others were injured during a police operation to disassemble barricades and fill in ditches dug up by militants when PKK militants fired a rocket upon security forces in Cizre. Four of the injured officers who were in urgent condition were sent to the capital, Ankara for further medical treatment.
- On 31 December, one police officer died after a PKK bomb attack in Sur during a house operation against militants. In the same operation Turkish security forces had seized an RPG, 3 rockets, an anti-tank missile, 30 electric bomb detonators and numerous PKK propaganda leaflets that police say aimed at provoking the public.
2016 timeline
=January=
- On 1 January, 12 PKK militants, two Police officers and a civilian were killed in Cizre.{{cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20160101143115.htm|title=One Soldier, Two Police, 12 Kurdish Militants Killed in Turkey's Southeast|access-date=28 January 2016|archive-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130203206/http://www.aina.org/news/20160101143115.htm|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/2016da-sokaga-cikma-yasaklari-8-gunde-29-sivil-hayatini-kaybetti,323448|title=2016'da sokağa çıkma yasakları: 8 günde 29 sivil hayatını kaybetti|work=t24.com.tr|access-date=28 January 2016}}
A Police officer was killed in Sur.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} A Soldier and one civilian was killed in Silopi{{cite web|url=http://www.anfenglish.com/kurdistan/one-civilian-and-one-soldier-killed-in-silopi |title=ANF - Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê |access-date=28 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205173804/http://www.anfenglish.com/kurdistan/one-civilian-and-one-soldier-killed-in-silopi |archive-date=5 February 2016 }} A Turkish tank malfunctioned and was damaged in Cizre.{{cite AV media |date=1 January 2016 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNN_o_hnPjg |title=CİZRE'DE KONTROLDEN ÇIKAN TANK 3 EVİ YIKTI |publisher=Bijwen TV |via=YouTube |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125050623/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNN_o_hnPjg |archive-date=25 November 2020 |url-status=live}} A total of 18 were killed that day.
- On 3 January, mine trap set by the PKK the previous night in a neighborhood killed 3 Turkish soldiers in Sur.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/sur-sehitleri-40035597|title=Sur şehitleri|author=DİYARBAKIR,(DHA)|date=4 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 4 January, rocket attacks launched by the PKK's youth militant arm YDG-H at security forces in Şırnak resulted in an incurring shoot-out in which 2 militants were killed.{{cite web|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/gundem/2016/01/05/2-ydg-hli-terorist-olduruldu|title=2 YDG-H'lı terörist öldürüldü|date=5 January 2016|work=Sabah|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 7 January, Turkish Forces killed 16 militants in Cizre and 2 in Sur bringing the PKK death toll over the last 3 weeks in the Şırnak Province to 426.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/turkish-forces-kill-18-kurdish-rebels-army-165024373.html|title=Turkish forces kill 18 Kurdish rebels: army|date=9 January 2016|work=Yahoo News|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 7 January, the Turkish Military captured 58 PKK militants fleeing to Iraq disguised as local villagers in the town of Silopi of the Şırnak Province
- On 8 January, Turkish Police Special Operations, Rapid Response Force riot police and Police intelligence teams raided a HDP Kurdish opposition party's office in Istanbul arresting 5 Kurdish politicians after Police were informed that the murder weapon of 22 July 2015 murder of 2 police officers conducted by PKK militants in their sleep in Ceylanpınar was being held in that office.
- On 9 January, a soldier and a police officer were shot-dead in an attack by PKK militants in Diyarbakır, Turkey's largest predominantly Kurdish south-eastern city.{{cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/turkish-forces-kill-32-kurdish-rebels-southeast-191618783.html|title=Turkish forces kill 32 Kurdish rebels in southeast|date=10 January 2016|work=Yahoo News|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 10 January, heavy clashes during a counter-terrorism operation between the PKK and police in eastern Van killed 12 PKK militants and a police officer. Security forces say the operation successfully prevented a large scale attack against government buildings.
- On 10 January, Turkish troops killed 20 PKK militants in Cizre, Silopi and Sur during clashes.
- On 12 January, Turkish Police detained 16 suspects belonging to the YDG-H in Elazığ during a raid in which documents explicitly planning a crowd demonstration to harm public buildings and boast PKK propaganda was seized similar to the 7 January elementary school burning incident in Sirnak. The documents themselves are believed to be handed down from the PKK to the YDG-H youth group.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/national_police-detain-16-suspected-pkk-affiliated-ydg-h-members_409425.html|title=Police detain 16 suspected PKK-affiliated YDG-H members|date=12 January 2016|work=TodaysZaman|access-date=28 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129052449/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_police-detain-16-suspected-pkk-affiliated-ydg-h-members_409425.html|archive-date=29 January 2016}}
- On 12 January, the Turkish Air Force conducted night-time airstrikes on PKK camps in the Great Zab, Gare, Avashin, and Basyan regions of northern Iraq using four F-16Ds and two F-4 Terminator 2020s technologically modernized heavy combat aircraft whilst using drones to locate camps, quartering caves and shelters prior to the strike. In the same statement to press the Turkish Armed Forces stated that 578 terrorists had been killed since 15 December, bringing the overall PKK death toll to 3,678 since July 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2016/01/13/turkish-military-destroys-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq|title=Turkish military destroys PKK targets in Northern Iraq|date=13 January 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=28 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4514131&Itemid=1|title=Prensa Latina News Agency - Turkish Air Force Attacks Kurdish Camps in North of Iraq|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 14 January, a car bomb targeting a police station and police housing unit adjacent to the station killed 6 people and injured 40 in Çınar, Diyarbakır, southeastern Turkey. Amongst the dead where relatives of police including a family consisting of a wife, a 5-year-old and an infant. Upon the initial bomb attack, PKK militants opened fire using rockets and assault weapons on the security complex resulting in a fierce firefight.{{cite web|url=http://policy.dfns.net/2016/01/14/pkk-truck-bomb-attack-kills-6-injures-43-in-diyarbakir/|title=PKK truck bomb attack kills 6, injures 43 in Diyarbakır|date=14 January 2016|work=DFNS.net Policy|access-date=12 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2016/01/14/pkk-terror-attack-leaves-6-dead-including-baby-39-injured-in-southeastern-turkey|title=PKK terror attack leaves 6 dead including baby, 39 injured in southeastern Turkey|date=14 January 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=28 January 2016|archive-date=30 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130184907/http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2016/01/14/pkk-terror-attack-leaves-6-dead-including-baby-39-injured-in-southeastern-turkey|url-status=dead}} The PKK claimed the attack left over 30 Police officers dead as quoted by pro-Kurdish media, however said that more than five civilian were killed as a result of the attack.{{cite web|url=http://www.anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hpg-over-30-police-killed-in-cinar-action |title=ANF - Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê |access-date=28 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205164548/http://www.anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hpg-over-30-police-killed-in-cinar-action |archive-date=5 February 2016 }}
- On 14 January, Turkish Army troops killed 19 PKK militants in a government operations as-well as capturing a total of 10 PKK militants and affiliates. According to the Turkish General Staff, 12 were killed in heavy clashes in Cizre, 5 were killed and 10 were captured in Silopi, and 2 were killed in Sur.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/12-pkk-militants-police-officer-killed-in-raid-in-eastern-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=93646&NewsCatID=341|title=12 PKK militants, police officer killed in raid in eastern Turkey - LOCAL|date=11 January 2016 |access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 15 January, 1 Turkish Police Special Operations officer was wounded and killed in a raid on a PKK Sleeper cell in Siirt by sniper fire from PKK militants. According to Turkish media reports, over 15,000 people attended the funeral of the slain officer Yalçın Yamaner in Tokat. The family of the slain officer whom were being accommodated in police family lodges are to be bought a house on the behalf of the General Directorate of Security.{{cite web|url=http://www.karar.com/gundem-haberleri/sehit-yalcin-yamaneri-tokatta-15-bin-kisi-ugurladi-terore-lanet-yagdi-67032|title=Şehit Yalçın Yamaner'i Tokat'ta 15 bin kişi uğurladı, teröre lanet yağdı|date=16 January 2016|work=Karar.com|access-date=28 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.trtturk.com/haber/sehit-polis-yamanerin-ailesine-ev-alinacak-173196.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012045214/http://www.trtturk.com/haber/sehit-polis-yamanerin-ailesine-ev-alinacak-173196.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 October 2017 |title=Şehit polis Yamaner'in ailesine ev alınacak |publisher=TRT Türk |work=TRT Türk - Beş Kıtanın Haber Merkezi|access-date=28 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.dha.com.tr/sehidi-15-bin-kisi-ugurladi_1114451.html|title=Şehidi 15 bin kişi uğurladı|work=Dha.com.tr|access-date=28 January 2016|archive-date=31 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131005101/http://www.dha.com.tr/sehidi-15-bin-kisi-ugurladi_1114451.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN0UV0EJ|title=Four die in violence in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast|author=Seyhmus Cakan|date=18 January 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 18 January, a total of 3 service members of the Turkish Police Special Operation Department were killed and 7 were wounded in a night-time IED trap set the day before targeting the convoy in Idil. Ensuing heavy clashes reportedly lasted till dawn.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/hain-tuzak-alti-aci-haber-40042190|title=Hain tuzak, 6 şehit|author=DHA-AA|date=18 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 18 January, 2 Police Special Operations officers were killed and 12 were wounded in the Yenimahalle neighborhood of Şırnak Province when a police bus was struck by a rocket fired by PKK insurgents.
- On 18 January, a Turkish Army specialized sergeant succumbed to his injuries and died shortly after being critically wounded by sniper fire in Sur.
- On 19 January, Cizre municipal council member Abdülhamit Poçal and Selman Erdoğan were killed and IMC TV cameraman Refik Tekin along with 10 others were wounded during a firefight between Turkish security forces and Kurdish militants though it is not clear who opened fire on the group. Pro-Kurdish sources say that it was the Turkish side.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/national_report-detention-warrant-issued-for-i-mc-tv-cameraman-injured-in-cizre_410215.html|title=Report: Detention warrant issued for İMC TV cameraman injured in Cizre|date=21 January 2016|work=TodaysZaman|access-date=28 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128103618/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_report-detention-warrant-issued-for-i-mc-tv-cameraman-injured-in-cizre_410215.html|archive-date=28 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/cameraman-shot-in-cizre-we-were-battered-and-dragged-on-the-ground |title=ANF - Ajansa Nûçeyan a Firatê |access-date=28 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204160037/http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/cameraman-shot-in-cizre-we-were-battered-and-dragged-on-the-ground |archive-date=4 February 2016 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN0UY288|title=Ten wounded, including opposition politicians, in southeast Turkey shooting|author=Reuters Editorial|date=20 January 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 19 January, Turkish Forces conducted an operation extracting a family from their neighborhood who had received threats from the PKK to not leave and stopping those who attempt to. The PKK calls for Kurds in the region to not leave their houses and participate in the so-called resistance.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/kurdish-issue/2016/01/20/operation-rescues-family-stuck-at-home-for-48-days-due-to-pkk-threats|title=Operation rescues family stuck at home for 48 days due to PKK threats|date=19 January 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 19 January, 3 Police Special Operations members were wounded when PKK militants opened fire on units removing roadblocks, dismantling barricades and filling up trenches set up by PKK elements.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 21 January, new Turkish Military raids is Silopi led to the discovery of a U.S. made RQ-20 Puma UAV in the hands of PKK militants. Turkish Military officials believe that the aerial surveillance drone was handed to PKK elements by the YPG, the PKK's sister group based in Syria who are backed by the U.S. despite fierce Turkish objection. The discovery of the drone by Turkish troops further confirmed Turkey's suspicions of U.S. and various European weapons being supplied to the YPG would eventually end up in PKK hands.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkish-military-seizes-us-made-uav-in-anti-pkk-operation_410258.html|title=Turkish military seizes US-made UAV in anti-PKK operation|date=21 January 2016|work=TodaysZaman|access-date=28 January 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160128054638/http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkish-military-seizes-us-made-uav-in-anti-pkk-operation_410258.html|archive-date=28 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.nrttv.com/EN/Details.aspx?Jimare=4953|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130095742/http://www.nrttv.com/EN/Details.aspx?Jimare=4953|archive-date=2016-01-30|title=NRT English|publisher=Nalia Corporation|access-date=28 January 2016}}
- On 27 January, while clearing out boobytrapped barricades in Sur, 4 members of the Turkish security forces were killed in a simultaneously launched attack consisting of pre-planted remote detonated explosives, rocket and sniper fire by PKK militants consisting of 3 army soldiers and a Police Special Operations officer while also wounding critically wounding 6 others. According to the Turkish Army, ensuing fierce clashes killed 9 PKK militants.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35424525|title=Turkey-PKK conflict: Scores dead in clashes in southeast|work=BBC News|date=27 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.sozcu.com.tr/2016/gundem/surda-2-sehit-1063429/|title=Sur'da hain saldırı: 4 şehit!|date=27 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016}}
=February=
- On 1 February, 3 Turkish soldiers and 2 police were killed in the Sur district of Diyarbakır.{{cite web|title = Three Turkish soldiers martyred in PKK attack|url = http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/-three-turkish-soldiers-martyred-in-pkk-attack/513442|website = Anadolu Agency|access-date = 2016-02-01}}
- On 3 February, the Turkish Air Force launched a massive scale air-strike operation consisting of around 40 jets and hit over 100 targets in Northern Iraq. Targets hit included a PKK meeting in Qandil.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-military-launches-large-air-campaign-on-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq.aspx?pageID=238&nID=94836&NewsCatID=509 |title=Turkish military launches large air campaign on PKK targets in northern Iraq - LOCAL |publisher=Hurriyetdailynews.com |date=2011-09-13 |access-date=2016-02-10}}
- On 7 February, more than 150 civilians were reportedly burnt in a basement by Turkish security forces.{{Cite web|last=Welle (www.dw.com)|first=Deutsche|title=Turkish forces accused of 'mass murder' in southeast {{!}} DW {{!}} 12.02.2016|url=https://www.dw.com/en/turkish-forces-accused-of-mass-murder-in-southeast/a-19044651|access-date=2020-06-28|website=DW.COM|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|date=2016-07-11|title=Turkey: State Blocks Probes of Southeast Killings|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/11/turkey-state-blocks-probes-southeast-killings|access-date=2020-06-28|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en}} 3 Turkish troops were wounded amongst the fierce clashes by a bomb trap. During the raid, PKK militants were reportedly speaking on the phone with Faysal Sarıyıldiz, a HDP parliamentarian.
- On 12 February, Turkish Army troops killed 16 PKK militants in the town of Cizre, 5 in Sur and 6 in Hakkâri Province bringing the overall PKK death toll to 27 while 24 bodies of PKK militants killed in previous operations were recovered the same day.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/cnews-us-turkey-kurds-idCAKCN0VL10T|title=Turkish military says killed 27 Kurdish militants in southeast|newspaper=Reuters |date=12 February 2016|via=www.reuters.com}}{{cite web|url=http://news.antiwar.com/2016/02/12/turkey-kills-27-militants-in-kurdish-southeast/|title=Turkey Kills 27 Militants in Kurdish Southeast|work=News From Antiwar.com|date=13 February 2016 }}
- On 17 February, a Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK) militant{{cite news|title=Milliyet|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/ankara-daki-teror-saldirisini-o-gundem-2196929/|access-date=19 February 2016}} carried out a car bomb attack in Turkey's capital of Ankara killing 28 people, including 27 military personnel, and injuring a further 61. The attack targeted a bus full of military personnel in close proximity to the Turkish Armed Forces Department of Defense and parliament building. Security forces have currently detained 14 people in connection with the bombing.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/video/2016/02/18/kurdish-militants-to-blame-for-ankara-bo?videoId=367440499|title=Kurdish militants to blame for Ankara bombing: Davutoglu|author=Thomson Reuters|date=18 February 2016|work=Reuters}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35599323|title=Ankara blast: At least 28 dead in Turkish capital explosion|work=BBC News|date=17 February 2016 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/turkish-premier-says-kurdish-militant-carried-out-ankara-attack-1455788114|title=Turkish Premier Says Kurdish Militant Carried Out Ankara Attack|author1=Dion Nissenbaum |author2=Emre Peker |author3=Ayla Albayrak |date=18 February 2016|work=WSJ}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-14-detained-for-ankara-attack-intl-community-must-understand-pkk-pyd-ties---95363|title=Erdoğan: 14 detained for Ankara attack, int'l community must understand PKK-PYD ties - Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=19 February 2016 }}
The government held both the YPG and PKK responsible for the attack, even after the TAK claimed responsibility. It was later confirmed by DNA reports that the perpetrator was a TAK militant.{{cite news|title=Bombacının Abdulbaki Sömer olduğu kesinleşti|url=http://www.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/1199599-bombacinin-abdulbaki-somer-oldugu-kesinlesti|access-date=28 February 2016}}{{cite news|title=DNA report suggests Ankara bomber was Turkish: security official|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-blast-investigation-idUSKCN0VW29A|access-date=28 February 2016}}{{cite news|title=Musa Sönmez: Fotoğraftaki Kişi Salih Neccar Değil, Oğlum Abdulbaki|url=http://www.haberler.com/babanin-iddiasi-bombaci-benim-oglum-8181868-haberi/|access-date=28 February 2016}}
- On 18 February, Turkish Air Force fighter jets launched large scale air strikes in northern Iraq in response to the previous days Ankara bombing hitting a group of 60-70 militants including senior commanders in Qandil.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/18/middleeast/turkey-airstrikes/|title=Ankara bombing aftermath: Turkish soldiers killed in new blast|author=Zeynep Bilginsoy, Joshua Berlinger and Tim Hume, CNN|date=18 February 2016|work=CNN}}[http://www.kitv.com/story/31250792/turkey-launches-airstrikes-hours-after-ankara-explosion]{{Dead link|date=March 2016}}
- On 18 February, a roadside bomb in Diyarbakır Province killed 6 Turkish troops while another two were killed in armed attacks in the Şırnak Province.{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/national_8-security-force-members-killed-in-pkk-attacks-in-diyarbakir-i-dil_412631.html|title=Dagje Uit actie|access-date=22 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305065144/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_8-security-force-members-killed-in-pkk-attacks-in-diyarbakir-i-dil_412631.html|archive-date=5 March 2016}}
- On 23 February, Turkish Forces killed 6 PKK militants in clashes in Idil.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-army-kills-47-pkk-militants-in-idil-in-week-95718|title=Turkish army kills 47 PKK militants in İdil in week - Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=25 February 2016 }}
- On 24 February, the Turkish Forces killed 20 PKK militants in heavy clashes during ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Idil.
- On 24 February, Turkish Army AH-1 Super Cobra attack helicopters killed 12 PKK militants attempting to infiltrate the town of Idil from the Syrian border.{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4770576,00.html|title=Turkish air force kill 12 Kurdish fighters|work=ynet|date=24 February 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2406374&CategoryId=12395|title=Latin American Herald Tribune - Turkish Army Kills 12 Kurdish Guerillas in Besieged City|website=www.laht.com|access-date=25 February 2016|archive-date=8 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180208064201/http://www.laht.com/article.asp?ArticleId=2406374&CategoryId=12395|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://www.todayszaman.com/national_turkish-military-helicopters-kill-9-in-strikes-on-pkk-targets_413152.html|title=Dagje Uit actie|access-date=22 April 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014213/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_turkish-military-helicopters-kill-9-in-strikes-on-pkk-targets_413152.html|archive-date=5 March 2016}}
=March=
- On 2 March, the curfew in Cizre was lifted after 79 days.{{Cite web|date=2016-07-11|title=Turkey: State Blocks Probes of Southeast Killings|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/11/turkey-state-blocks-probes-southeast-killings|access-date=2020-06-29|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en}}
- On 6 March, Released data stating that 1,250 militants had been killed since July of last year in the Nusaybin, Dargecit and Derik districts of Mardin Province. The report further more stated that over 3,000 explosives targeting security forces had been defused and 2,307 barricades and ditches were dismantled and filled.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 6 March, 6 convicted PKK militants broke out of Diyarbakır Prison. Roll call indicated 6 where shown missing. As a result, security measures at the prison were increased and an operation to locate the whereabouts of the escapees are underway.{{Cite web|url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=322364|title=6 PKK prisoners escape from prison in SE Turkey - Shanghai Daily}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/six-convicted-pkk-militants-break-out-of-diyarbakir-prison-96088|title=Six convicted PKK militants break out of Diyarbakır prison - Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=6 March 2016 }}
- On 7 March, Turkish troops killed 4 PKK militants in the Sur district of Diyarbakır Province and defused 16 explosive devices aimed at sabotaging troops.{{cite web|url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2491283&language=en|title=KUNA : Turkish army kills 10 PKK militants|date=7 March 2016|access-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180213135055/https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2491283&language=en|archive-date=13 February 2018|url-status=dead}}
- On 7 March, Turkish counter insurgency operations killed 6 PKK militants in Idil. Turkish troops defused a total of 18 explosive devices in the same operation.
- On 9 March Turkish airstrikes reportedly hit PKK shelters, ammunition depots and supply lines in northern Iraq.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/report-turkish-airstrikes-iraq-kill-67-pkk-militants-37599236|title=Report: Turkish Airstrikes in Iraq Kill 67 PKK Militants|author=ABC News|work=ABC News}}
- On 11 March, Turkish Air Force airstrikes reportedly killed at least 67 PKK militants in northern Iraq. Turkish F-16's and F-4E Terminator 2020s reportedly struck PKK headquarters situated on the Iran-Iraq border. i{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/world/170394/six-killed-in-italian-alps-avalanche|archive-url=https://archive.today/20160318143839/http://www.worldbulletin.net/world/170394/six-killed-in-italian-alps-avalanche|url-status=usurped|archive-date=18 March 2016|title=Turkish jets bomb PKK targets in northern Iraq - Iraq - Worldbulletin News|work=World Bulletin|date=21 November 2023 }}{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkish-air-strikes-kill-kurdish-militants-in-iraq/3233119.html|title=Turkish Air Strikes Kill 67 Kurdish Militants in Iraq|work=VOA|date=12 March 2016 |access-date=2016-03-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514123505/http://www.voanews.com/content/turkish-air-strikes-kill-kurdish-militants-in-iraq/3233119.html|archive-date=2016-05-14|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-iraq-idUSKCN0WE0I7|title=Turkish air strikes kill 67 Kurdish militants in north Iraq: army|author=Reuters Editorial|date=12 March 2016|work=Reuters}}
- On 13 March, a suspected PKK car bombing in the capital Ankara killed 37 civilians and injured a further 125 when the car accelerated and crashed into a bus before exploding in one of the busiest areas in the city and just a few hundred yards from the prime ministers office. Those killed include the father of renowned soccer player Umut Bulut.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35804168|title=Turkey international Umut Bulut's father killed in Ankara bombing|work=BBC Sport}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/03/13/world/ankara-park-blast/|title=Turkey car bomb explosion kills at least 34 - CNN.com|author=Azadeh Ansari and Gul Tuysuz, CNN|date=13 March 2016|work=CNN}} Four days later, the TAK claimed responsibility for the attack.{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-35829231 |title = Ankara blast: Kurdish group TAK claims bombing| work=BBC News | date = 17 March 2016 | access-date = 17 March 2016}}
- On 14 March, a day after the Ankara bombing, 11 Turkish Air Force warplanes struck 18 different targets in Northern Iraq in response to the suspected PKK bombing.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-blast-idUSKCN0WF0PP|title=Turkish warplanes strike Iraq after Ankara bombing blamed on Kurdish militants|author=Orhan Coskun|date=14 March 2016|work=Reuters}}{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/turkey-hits-pkk-targets-in-iraq-with-air-strikes-116031200669_1.html|title=Turkey hits PKK targets in Iraq with air strikes|author=AFP|newspaper=Business Standard India |date=12 March 2016}} At least 45 suspect PKK militants were killed.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
- On 16 March, Turkish police detained 73 PKK terror suspects including lawyers throughout the country during simultaneous raids in connection to the March 2016 Ankara bombing.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/03/16/police-detain-73-pkk-suspects-throughout-turkey|title=Police detain 73 PKK suspects throughout Turkey|date=16 March 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=6 April 2016}}
- On 22 March, an attack by PKK militants killed a Turkish soldier and injured 6 others in Nusaybin.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN0WO104|title=PKK killed one soldier in Turkey|publisher=Reuters|date=22 March 2016|access-date=22 March 2016}}
- On 23 March, Turkish Air Force F-16s and F-4 Terminator 2020s struck several PKK targets in northern Iraq and in Turkey's bordering south eastern mountains including shelters, caves, weapons caches, and militants killing at-least 24 insurgents.{{cite web|url=http://en.europeonline-magazine.eu/turkish-air-force-launches-airstrikes-inside-turkey-and-in-north-iraq_445962.html|title=Turkish air force launches airstrikes inside Turkey and in north Iraq|access-date=31 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/turkeys-f-16-f-4-2020-fighter-jets-destroyed-several-pkk-targets-northern-iraq-2343112|title=Turkey's F-16 And F-4 2020 Fighter Jets Destroyed Several PKK Targets In Northern Iraq|author=Suman Varandani|work=International Business Times|date=25 March 2016 |access-date=31 March 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-warplanes-hit-pkk-bases-in-northern-iraq.aspx?pageID=238&nID=96855&NewsCatID=341|title=Turkish warplanes hit PKK bases in northern Iraq - LOCAL|date=24 March 2016 |access-date=31 March 2016}}
- On 24 March Turkish forces killed a PKK linked YPS leader in Sirnak{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/03/24/security-forces-kill-pkk-linked-yps-leader-in-southeastern-sirnak|title=Security forces kill PKK-linked YPS leader in southeastern Şırnak|date=24 March 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=31 March 2016}}
- On 28 March, documents were released by the Turkish government which indicated that they have made a decision to illegally confiscate 9,000 acres of property in the historic city center of Diyarbakir, including thousands of private properties and 6 churches owned by religious foundations. The Turkish Government states that they appropriated the land and properties in the historic district in order to rebuild and repair them, although locals are skeptical of this, with the appropriations sparking more conflict in the region.{{cite web|url=http://asbarez.com/148164/diyarbakirs-surp-giragos-church-among-properties-expropriated-by-turkish-government/|title=Diyarbakir's Surp Giragos Church Among Properties Expropriated by Turkish Government|work=Asbarez.com|date=28 March 2016 |access-date=22 April 2016}}
- On 29 March, Salih Zeki Cetinkaya, the chairman of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Ispir was kidnapped by PKK militants in Lice.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
- On 29 March, ongoing Turkish military operations killed 16 PKK militants in Nusaybin.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-28-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-southeast/545827|title=Turkey: 28 PKK terrorists killed in southeast|work=Anadolu Agency|access-date=31 March 2016}}
- On 29 March, Turkish troops killed 9 PKK militants during clashes in Sirnak.
- On 29 March, Turkish troops killed 3 PKK militants and recovered one body of a previously killed militant during clashes in Yüksekova
- On 31 March, 7 police officers were killed and 27 people were injured by a PKK car bomb in Diyarbakır after a vehicle laden with explosives rammed into a police bus and detonated.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/seven-police-officers-killed-in-diyarbakir-car-bomb-attack-27-injured.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97156&NewsCatID=341|title=Seven police officers killed in Diyarbakır car bomb attack, 27 injured - LOCAL|date=April 2016 |access-date=6 April 2016}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/01/world/europe/turkey-diyarbakir-bomb.html|title=Car Bomb Kills 7 Turkish Police Officers in Diyarbakir|date=1 April 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=6 April 2016}}
=April=
- On 2 April, 5 Turkish troops and a Police Special Operations officer was killed in Nusaybin by an IED bomb planted by PKK militants.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_93.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405002721/http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_93.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 5 April 2016 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=12 April 2016 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/kurdistan-workers-party-bomb-attack-kills-6-in-turkish-security-forces-reports-1315912|title=Kurdistan Workers Party Bomb Attack Kills 6 In Turkish Security Forces: Reports|agency=Associated Press|date=2 April 2016|work=NDTV.com|access-date=12 April 2016}}
- On 3 April, Turkish Forces killed seventeen militants in Yuksekova, six in Nusaybin and four in Sirnak in anti-insurgency operations bringing the total to 27.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 4 April, a member of the paramilitary Kurdish Village guard forces whom are fighting alongside Turkish Forces against PKK insurgents, was killed by PKK militants disguised as doctors in front of a clinic in Bitlis.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/04/04/pkk-militant-poses-as-doctor-kills-turkish-village-guard-at-clinic-before-his-familys-eyes|title=PKK militant poses as doctor, kills Turkish village guard at clinic before his family's eyes|date=4 April 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=12 April 2016}}
- On 5 April, Turkish Air Force F-16s and F-4 Terminator 2020s attacked PKK targets in the Qandil Mountains of northern Iraq, targets struck include PKK weapons caches, ammunition depots & militant shelters killing 67 militants.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/live/turkish-jets-strike-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq/549681|title=Turkish jets strike PKK targets in northern Iraq|work=Anadolu Agency|access-date=6 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/04/turkey-hits-pkk-targets-iraq-military-160405100557317.html|title=Turkey hits PKK targets in Iraq: military|access-date=6 April 2016}}
- On 5 April, a Turkish army tank en route to ongoing regional military operations traveling as a part of an armored convoy through the mountainous terrain of Uludere fell off of a cliff tumbling into a canyon below killing 1 crew member and injuring another.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/one-soldier-killed-as-tank-falls-off-cliff-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nid=97385&NewsCatID=341|title=One soldier killed as tank falls off cliff in Turkey's southeast - LOCAL|date=6 April 2016 |access-date=12 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/tank-ucuruma-devrildi-1-sehit,Oga2FtwdYkKAUxKtyHkMVA|title=Gündem – Türkiye Haberleri ve Gerçek Gündem - NTV|access-date=12 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_95.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410063038/http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_95.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 April 2016 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=12 April 2016 }}
- On 7 April, a Turkish soldier and Police Special Operations officer was killed by an IED bomb attack in Nusaybin during ongoing military operations to root out militants.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_98.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410110849/http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_98.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 April 2016 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=12 April 2016 }}
- On 8 April, Turkish warplanes struck unspecified targets in south eastern Turkey and northern Iraq.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN0X50TQ|title=Turkish military hits Kurdish militant PKK targets in Turkey, Iraq: statement|author=Reuters Editorial|date=8 April 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=12 April 2016}}
- On 8 April, Turkish forces killed 12 PKK militants in military operations in the countries south-east. 7 in Nusaybin, 3 in Hakkari and 2 militants in Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/04/08/turkish-military-kills-12-pkk-terrorists-in-anti-terror-operations-in-southeast|title=Turkish military kills 12 PKK terrorists in anti-terror operations in southeast|date=8 April 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=12 April 2016}}
- On 10 April, the Turkish Army launched an operation in Hakkari killing 19 PKK militants in various districts. Turkish troops recovered dozens of hand made bombs, AK-47 style assault rifles, RPG-7 rockets and rocket launchers during the operation which lasted around an hour.{{cite web|url=http://en.trend.az/world/turkey/2518070.html|title=Turkish army kills 19 PKK fighters within hour|date=11 April 2016|work=Trend.Az|access-date=12 April 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/4_olaylar/4_2_onemli_yurtici_olaylar/onemliyurticiolaylar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109032831/http://www.tsk.tr/4_olaylar/4_2_onemli_yurtici_olaylar/onemliyurticiolaylar.html |url-status=dead |archive-date= 9 January 2015 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=12 April 2016 }}
- On 12 April, a massive truck-bomb attack by PKK militants on the Hani regional Gendarmerie headquarters killed 3 Turkish soldiers and injured 54 others.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_99.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413121617/http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_99.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2016 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=22 April 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_100.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413121504/http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_100.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2016 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=22 April 2016 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/six-soldiers-killed-54-wounded-in-pkk-attacks-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97706&NewsCatID=341|title=Six soldiers killed, 54 wounded in PKK attacks in Turkey's southeast - LOCAL|date=13 April 2016 |access-date=22 April 2016}}
- On 12 April, during clashes between Turkish troops and PKK in Hakkari an explosion unknown and random explosion most likely from an IED bomb killed 1 soldier and injured 4 others.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_101.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413121611/http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_101.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 April 2016 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=22 April 2016 }}
- On 12 April, a gun attack by PKK militants killed 1 soldier and injured 4 others during ongoing military operations in Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_102.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416034409/http://www.tsk.tr/3_basin_yayin_faaliyetleri/3_1_basin_aciklamalari/2016/ba_102.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 April 2016 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |access-date=22 April 2016 }}
- On 13 April, Cemil Ates, a senior PKK militant leader was killed during clashes with security forces in Muş{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-figure-caught-in-sweden.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97829&NewsCatID=351|title=PKK figure caught in Sweden - EUROPE|date=14 April 2016 |access-date=22 April 2016}}
- On 16 April, 5 Police Special Operations officers were killed and 6 others were wounded by a roadside bomb in Savur.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 17 April, 23 PKK militants were killed in the mountains of Tunceli in a military operation by troops and attack helicopters after a Turkish UAV spotted a group of militants.{{cite news|url=http://www.newshub.co.nz/world/turkeys-army-kills-23-pkk-fighters-2016041707#axzz463RHI5Zo|title=Turkey's army kills 23 PKK fighters|newspaper=Newshub|access-date=22 April 2016}}{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-fighter-jets-hit-pkk-targets-in-southeast/559098|title=Turkish fighter jets hit PKK targets in southeast|work=Anadolu Agency|access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 21 April, Turkish F-16's carried out air-strikes in the mountains of Hakkari and Sirnak destroying PKK targets.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-warplanes-hit-pkk-targets-in-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98136&NewsCatID=341|title=Turkish warplanes hit PKK targets in southeast - LOCAL|date=21 April 2016 |access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 22 April, 3 Turkish soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb planted by PKK militants in Tunceli.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
- On 22 April, Turkish forces killed 8 PKK militants in ongoing military operations in Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/12-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-turkeys-southeast/559697|title=12 PKK terrorists killed in Turkey's southeast|work=Anadolu Agency|access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 22 April, Turkish forces killed 4 PKK militants in ongoing military operations in Nusaybin.
- On 22 April, Turkish troops killed 18 PKK militants attempting to cross the border into Syria's Qamishli region from Turkey's south eastern Nusaybin region.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/18-pkk-militants-killed-near-turkeys-syrian-border.aspx?pageID=238&nID=97950&NewsCatID=351|title=18 PKK militants killed near Turkey's Syrian border - EUROPE|date=18 April 2016 |access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 22 April, Turkish troops killed 6 PKK militants in Mardin and Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/soldier-killed-in-pkk-attack-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=98228&NewsCatID=341|title=Soldier killed in PKK attack in Turkey's southeast - LOCAL|date=23 April 2016 |access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 23 April, a Turkish Gendarmerie soldier was killed by PKK sniper fire in Mardin.
- On 23 April, Turkish Air Force F-16's and F-4E 2020 Terminator fighter jets struck several targets in northern Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=327802|title=Turkish warplanes hit PKK targets in northern Iraq - Shanghai Daily|access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 28 April, two soldiers and 10 PKK members were killed in counter-terrorism operations.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/2-soldiers-martyred-10-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-se-turkey-/563347|title=2 Soldiers martyred, 10 PKK terrorists killed in SE Turkey|work=Anadolu Agency|access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 30 April, 20 Turkish fighter jets struck scores of PKK targets in air-raids in Northern Iraq and Sirnak's vast and mountainous border region within Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-strikes-idUSKCN0XR062|title=Turkish warplanes hit PKK targets in southeast Turkey, northern Iraq: sources|author=Reuters Editorial|date=30 April 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=1 May 2016}}
=May=
- On 1 May, 3 Turkish soldiers were killed and 14 others were wounded in the Nusaybin district when the PKK attacked an army bomb disposal team with rockets.{{cite news|url=http://www.rferl.org/content/article/27709572.html|title=Three Turkish Soldiers Killed In PKK Attack|work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty|access-date=1 May 2016}}
- On 2 May, 24 PKK militants were killed in ongoing military operations in the south-east. 7 were killed in Sirnak, 6 in Nusaybin, 6 in Cukurca and 5 in Semdinli.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN0XU0B5|title=Dozens of Kurdish militants killed in air strikes, clashes: Turkish military|author=Reuters Editorial|date=3 May 2016|work=Reuters}}
- On 2 May, 18 PKK militants were killed in air-strikes by F-16 and F-4 Terminator 2020 fighter jets in the Qandil Mountains of northern Iraq.
- On 6 May, PKK militants killed a Turkish soldier with a missile.{{cite web|url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2501387&language=en|title=KUNA : PKK militants kill Turkish soldier in N. East Turkey|date=6 May 2016|access-date=10 May 2016}}
- On 7 May, two PKK militants were killed in the province of Tunceli by Turkish forces.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/two-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-east-turkey/568403|title=Two PKK terrorists killed in east Turkey|work=Anadolu Agency|access-date=10 May 2016}}
- On 8 May, 12 PKK militants were killed in northern Iraq in air-strikes launched by Turkish Air Force F-16's. Targets also included PKK bunkers, gun emplacements and ammunition depots.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/05/09/military-strikes-pkk-in-iraq-12-killed-in-southeast|title=Military strikes PKK in Iraq, 12 killed in southeast|date=8 May 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=14 May 2016}}
- On 12 May, 4 PKK militants and 13 civilians were killed in a premature explosion while loading a truck with heavy explosives in preparation of an attack on Turkish forces.{{cite web|url=http://www.12newsnow.com/story/31961121/official-4-kurdish-rebels-killed-in-blast-in-turkey |title=Official: 4 Kurdish rebels killed in blast in Turkey - 12 News |access-date=15 May 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160513113013/http://www.12newsnow.com/story/31961121/official-4-kurdish-rebels-killed-in-blast-in-turkey |archive-date=13 May 2016 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/least-12-civilians-missing-pkk-blast-turkey-165002919.html |title=Turkey confirms 13 missing killed in PKK blast last week |publisher=Yahoo.com |date=2016-05-16 |access-date=2016-05-27 |archive-date=17 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517143452/https://www.yahoo.com/news/least-12-civilians-missing-pkk-blast-turkey-165002919.html |url-status=dead }}
- On 13 May, 6 Turkish troops and 22 PKK militants were killed in a PKK attack in Cukurca.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/8-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-clash-with-pkk-helicopter-crash/|title=8 Turkish soldiers killed in clash with PKK, helicopter crash|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=14 May 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2016/May-13/351966-turkish-military-says-8-soldiers-6-pkk-militants-killed-in-southeast.ashx|title=Eight Turkish soldiers, 22 militants killed as violence widens in southeast|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|access-date=14 May 2016}}
- On 13 May, 2 Turkish pilots died in a helicopter crash caused by a PKK-fired MANPAD in the mountains of Hakkari. The attack helicopter was en route to engage PKK militants attacking Turkish troops in Cukurca.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/05/14/kurdish-militants-just-challenged-turkish-air-power-in-a-major-way/|title=Kurdish militants reportedly shoot down Turkish security forces helicopter|newspaper=Washington Post|date=2016-05-14|access-date=2016-05-15}} Turkish media initially thought the incident was an accident.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/05/13/8-soldiers-killed-in-clashes-with-pkk-terrorists-in-turkeys-southeastern-hakkari|title=8 soldiers killed in clashes with PKK terrorists in Turkeys southeastern Hakkari|date=13 May 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=14 May 2016}}
- On 14 May, the Turkish Air Force launched a series of air-strikes killing 12 PKK militants in Turkey's southeast as well as northern Iraq.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
- On 15 May, the Turkish Military announced that it had killed 35 PKK militants in military operations. 18 were killed by air-strikes into the Qandil Mountains of northern Iraq, 8 killed in Sirnak, 4 in Sarikamis, 3 in Yuksekova and 2 in Nusaybin.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/4_olaylar/4_2_onemli_yurtici_olaylar/onemliyurticiolaylar.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109032831/http://www.tsk.tr/4_olaylar/4_2_onemli_yurtici_olaylar/onemliyurticiolaylar.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-01-09 |title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı |publisher=Tsk.tr |access-date=2016-05-27 }}
- On 18 May, 4 Turkish soldiers were killed and 9 others were wounded when PKK militants detonated a roadside bomb in Hakkari ambushing a surpassing convoy.{{cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/4-turkish-soldiers-killed-by-roadside-bomb/news-story/24a0d919f2f6f6120169c45ad00a0379 |title=Nocookies |publisher=The Australian |access-date=2016-05-27}}
- On 18 May, Turkish Air Force F-16s and F-4E Terminator 2020s launched overnight air-strikes in northern Iraq killing 10 PKK militants.
- On 22 May, 30 PKK militants were killed in Turkish airstrikes in northern Iraq{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/05/22/turkish-airstrike-kills-30-pkk-terrorists-in-northern-iraq |title=Turkish airstrike kills 30 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq |date=22 May 2016 |publisher=Daily Sabah |access-date=2016-05-27}}
- On 24 May, 6 Turkish soldiers were killed after a PPK attack on Van Province. [http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/05/24/pkk-terror-attack-in-eastern-turkey-leaves-6-soldiers-dead-4-wounded (Daily Sabah)]
- On 25 May, YPS said it withdrew its forces in Nusaybin.{{cite web |author=YPS, Nusaybin'deki güçlerini geri çektiğini açıkladı |url=http://www.imctv.com.tr/yps-nusaybindeki-guclerini-geri-cektigini-acikladi/ |title=YPS, Nusaybin'deki güçlerini geri çektiğini açıkladı |publisher=İMC TV |access-date=2016-05-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160527133442/http://www.imctv.com.tr/yps-nusaybindeki-guclerini-geri-cektigini-acikladi/ |archive-date=2016-05-27 |url-status=dead }} Also 67 PKK members surrendered in 20–25 May.{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/nusaybin-de-teslim-olan-25-gundem-2251372/ |title=Nusaybin'de teslim olan 25 PKK'lının sorgusu sürüyor |date=25 May 2016 |publisher=Milliyet.com.tr |access-date=2016-05-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/1244397-nusaybinde-42-pkkli-daha-teslim-oldu |title=Nusaybin'de 50 PKK'lı teslim oldu {{pipe}} Gündem Haberleri |publisher=Haberturk.com |date=2016-03-29 |access-date=2016-05-27}} HDP states they are civilians, not PKK fighters.{{citation needed|date=August 2016}}
- On 28 May, Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made a speech to Islamist supporters in the town of Diyarbakir which gained global attention as he referred to "our enemy", presumed to be the PKK and its supporters, as "atheists and Zoroastrians".{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/what-does-erdogan-have-to-do-with-zoroastrians.aspx?PageID=238&NID=100359&NewsCatID=411|title=What does Erdoğan have to do with 'Zoroastrians'?|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-11|access-date=2016-06-17}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/why-do-germans-crusaders-and-zoroastrians-unite-against-turkey.aspx?PageID=238&NID=100254&NewsCatID=497|title=Why do Germans, crusaders and Zoroastrians unite against Turkey?|date=2016-06-09|access-date=2016-06-17}}{{cite web|url=http://rudaw.net/english/middleeast/turkey/28052016|title=Erdogan condemns 'dishonest' US support for YPG and rails against 'atheist' PKK|date=2016-05-28|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 29 May, Turkish Air Force fighter jets struck several PKK targets in northern Iraq killing at-least 14 PKK militants.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/05/31/14-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-n-iraq-airstrikes-turkish-military-says|title=14 PKK terrorists killed in N. Iraq airstrikes, Turkish military says|website=Daily Sabah |date=31 May 2016|access-date=16 June 2016}}
- On 30 May, 2 Police Special Operations officers were killed by a bomb trap by PKK militants in İpekyolu.{{cite web|title=LOCAL - Five security personnel killed in separate PKK attacks| date=30 May 2016 |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/three-security-personnel-killed-in-pkk-attacks-in-turkey-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99827&NewsCatID=341|access-date=16 June 2016}}
- On 31 May, the Turkish Air Force launched air strikes in northern Iraq hitting six different positions.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-hits-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99935&NewsCatID=352|title=MIDEAST - Turkey hits PKK targets in northern Iraq|date=June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2016}}
=June=
- On 5 June, 7 PKK militants were killed in Şemdinli during ongoing military operations.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/1.723189|title=At Least 27 Kurdish Fighters Killed in Turkish Airstrikes, Clashes|date=5 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016|newspaper=Haaretz}}
- On 5 June, 20 PKK militants were killed in Hakkari border province and northern Iraq after a series of Turkish military air strikes. Turkish Air Force F-16's reportedly struck caves, shelters, weapons caches and other militant positions.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2016/06/05/turkish-airstrikes-kill-20-pkk-terrorists-in-hakkari|title=Turkish airstrikes kill 20 PKK terrorists in Hakkari|website=Daily Sabah|access-date=16 June 2016|archive-date=9 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160609194659/http://www.dailysabah.com/nation/2016/06/05/turkish-airstrikes-kill-20-pkk-terrorists-in-hakkari|url-status=dead}}
- On 5 June, the Turkish General Staff announced that it has shifted the direction of operations against PKK militants from urban centers to rural areas in the country's southeastern and eastern parts.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-army-takes-fight-against-pkk-to-rural-areas-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100093&NewsCatID=352|title=Turkish army takes fight against PKK to rural areas|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-05|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 6 June, Turkish Air Force jets launched another round of airstrikes into northern Iraq for the 2nd day in a row again hitting PKK positions and elements.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-armed-forces-launch-airstrikes-in-n-iraq/585498|title=Turkish Armed Forces launch airstrikes in N. Iraq|access-date=16 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-hits-pkk-targets-in-diyarbakir-northern-iraq.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100174&NewsCatID=352|title=MIDEAST - Turkish jets hit PKK targets in northern Iraq, Turkey|date=7 June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2016}}
- On 7 June, a TAK car bomb killed 12 people including 6 police officers in Istanbul as a vehicle laden with explosives detonated as a convoy of police buses were passing through a busy street during morning rush hour. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım named the PKK as being responsible for the terrorist attack.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-blast-idUSKCN0YT0FB|title=Car bomb targeting police kills 11, wounds 36 in Istanbul|date=7 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Orsal|first1=Humeyra Pamuk}} However, the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks organisation took responsibility.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-affiliated-group-claims-deadly-june-7-istanbul-car-bomb-attack.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100325&NewsCatID=509|title=PKK-affiliated group claims deadly June 7 Istanbul car bomb attack|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-10|access-date=2016-06-17}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/world-news/militant-kurdish-group-tak-claims-istanbul-bombing-1417561|title=Militant Kurdish Group TAK Claims Istanbul Bombing|publisher=NDTV|date=2016-06-10|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 8 June, another car bomb killed 5 people including 2 female police officers in the south-eastern town of Midyat. One of the police officers killed was 6 months pregnant and former Turkish president Abdullah Gül's body guard.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/five-killed-in-pkk-car-bomb-attack-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100224&NewsCatID=341|title=LOCAL - Five killed in PKK car bomb attack in Turkey's southeast|date=9 June 2016 |access-date=16 June 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/1250966-midyatta-iki-kadin-polis-memuru-sehit-oldu|title=Midyat'ta iki kadın polis memuru şehit oldu - Gündem Haberleri|date=8 June 2016|access-date=16 June 2016}}
- On 11 June, the Turkish Air Force launched widespread air strikes in northern Iraq and in Turkey's Lice, Hakkari and Siirt regions killing 13 PKK militants. The strikes came after PKK movement was spotted by UAV's.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 11 June, 3 PKK militants were killed in İpekyolu during ongoing military operations.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 11 June, 2 Turkish army soldiers were killed while four others wounded in a PKK attack on the Tekeli military base in the Şemdinli district of southeastern province of Hakkari.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-kills-two-soldiers-injures-four-in-southeastern-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100370&NewsCatID=341|title=PKK kills two soldiers, injures four in southeastern Turkey|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-11|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 14 June, a first media source said that the new Turkish government under Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım had immediately after assuming office on 24 May come to an agreement with the PKK, entailing "that PKK guerrillas must retreat from the Kurdish cities in southeastern Turkey, and the Turkish government, in return, will allow the Syrian Democratic Forces to control the areas in the west of Euphrates river in northern Syria" and that "Ankara has also agreed to move the jailed PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, from İmralı Island Prison in the Marmara Sea to another location and place him under house arrest, and resume negotiations with PKK as part of the agreement."{{cite web|url=http://www.basnews.com/index.php/en/news/middle-east/281521|title=US Brings Turkey and PKK Back at Negotiating Table|publisher=Basnews|date=2016-06-14|access-date=2016-06-17}} The SDF's Manbij offensive in northern Syria for the Federation of Northern Syria – Rojava has been going since 1 June.
- On 15 June, a "village guard" was killed and another was wounded in a PKK attack in the eastern province of Muş.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/village-guard-killed-in-pkk-attack-in-turkeys-east.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100518&NewsCatID=341|title=Village guard killed in PKK attack in Turkey's east|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-15|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 15 June, Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yüksekdağ, co-chairs of the HDP, released a statement stating that "while armed clashes have stopped in all these [urban] districts, curfews are still in effect for full days in some districts, while at night in some others" and that "Erdoğan-AKP rule is directly responsible for all this destruction and suffering. The crimes against humanity committed by them are piling up with every passing day." They demanded that "the ongoing round-the-clock curfews, blockades and destruction in Kurdish cities and towns should be immediately stopped. All the obstacles that prevent residents from safely returning to their homes should be removed."{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-hdp-calls-for-end-to-demolitions-sieges-illegal-round-the-clock-curfews.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100529&NewsCatID=338|title=Turkey's HDP calls for end to demolitions, sieges, 'illegal' round-the-clock curfews|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-15|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 16 June, HDP co-chairman Selahattin Demirtas called on the Kurdistan Freedom Hawks to dissolve.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hdp-co-chair-condemns-terror-attacks-on-civilians.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100564&NewsCatID=338|title=HDP co-chair condemns terror attacks on civilians|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-16|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 21 June, Prime Minister and AKP chairman Binali Yıldırım declared the end of military operations in Turkey's southeast and said the government would now focus on reconstruction of cities damaged by clashes between the security forces and the PKK. However, he threatened to now take action against HDP councillors in municipalities in the southeast.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/anti-pkk-operations-over-time-for-reconstruction-turkish-pm-.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100726&NewsCatID=338|title=Anti-PKK operations over, time for reconstruction: Turkish PM |publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-21|access-date=2016-06-23}}
- On 22 June, 1 Turkish army soldier was killed and 2 were wounded in a PKK attack in the province of Şırnak.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-says-civil-society-groups-working-against-turkish-state-largely-destroyed.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100789&NewsCatID=338|title=One soldier killed in PKK attack in Turkey's southeast|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-22|access-date=2016-06-23}}
- On 22 June, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that in his handling of the conflict he considered himself successful in having "civil society groups working against Turkish state largely destroyed",{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-says-civil-society-groups-working-against-turkish-state-largely-destroyed.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100789&NewsCatID=338|title=Erdoğan says 'civil society groups working against Turkish state' largely destroyed|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-22|access-date=2016-06-23}} a conclusion that had been confirmed some days earlier by Sedat Laciner, Professor of International Relations and rector of the Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University: "Outlawing unarmed and peaceful opposition, sentencing people to unfair punishment under erroneous terror accusations, will feed genuine terrorism in Erdoğan's Turkey. Guns and violence will become the sole alternative for legally expressing free thought."{{cite web|url=http://theturkishsun.com/opponent-or-terrorist-the-dramatically-changing-nature-of-turkish-democracy-20313/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619081327/http://theturkishsun.com/opponent-or-terrorist-the-dramatically-changing-nature-of-turkish-democracy-20313/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2016-06-19 |title=Opponent or Terrorist? The dramatically changing nature of Turkish democracy |publisher=The Turkish Sun |date=2016-06-16 |access-date=2016-06-23 }}
- On 24 June, 6 Turkish army soldiers were killed in two separate PKK attacks in the Çukurca district of the southeastern province of Hakkari and the Derik district of the southeastern province of Mardin.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/six-soldiers-killed-in-pkk-attacks-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100849&NewsCatID=341|title=Six soldiers killed in PKK attacks in Turkey's southeast|date=2016-06-24|access-date=2016-07-03}}
- On 25 June, Turkish warplanes conducted airstrikes against PKK targets in the southeastern province of Hakkari, with no casualties reported.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-jets-hit-pkk-targets-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100902&NewsCatID=341|title=Turkish jets hit PKK targets in Turkey's southeast|date=2016-06-26|access-date=2016-07-03}}
- On 26 June, Figen Yüksekdağ, co-chair of the HDP, said that "an ethnic cleansing war is being conducted against the Kurdish people. Lots of deaths and exiles have taken place; 600,000 Kurds have been forced to migrate from the lands they had been living in. But Kurds haven't abandoned their lands. Heavy weapons have been used during these sieges of provinces. For example in Nusaybin [in southern Mardin province], F-16s have been used."{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/hdps-yuksekdag-they-cannot-take-kurds-socialists-being-a-power-in-central-politics.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100924&NewsCatID=338|title=HDP's Yüksekdağ: They cannot take Kurds, socialists being a power in central politics|publisher=Hurriyet Daily News|date=2016-06-15|access-date=2016-06-17}}
- On 26 June, 2 Turkish army soldiers were killed in a PKK attack in the Lice district of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-soldiers-killed-in-pkk-attack-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100899&NewsCatID=341|title=Two soldiers killed in PKK attack in Turkey's southeast|date=2016-06-26|access-date=2016-07-03}}
- On 27 June, 1 Turkish army soldier was killed and another two were wounded in a PKK attack in the eastern province of Bitlis.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-soldiers-killed-in-pkk-attacks-in-turkeys-east.aspx?pageID=238&nID=100942&NewsCatID=341|title=Two soldiers killed in PKK attacks in Turkey's east|date=2016-06-27|access-date=2016-07-03}}
- On 29 June, 2 Turkish army soldiers were killed in two separate PKK attacks in the Lice and Bismil districts of the southeastern province of Diyarbakır.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/2-soldiers-killed-in-separate-pkk-attacks-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101043&NewsCatID=341|title=2 soldiers killed in separate PKK attacks in Turkey's southeast|date=2016-06-29|access-date=2016-07-03}}
- On 29 June, 2 Turkish army soldiers were killed and three were wounded when a hand-made explosive laid on the ground was detonated by PKK militants in the Derik district of the southeastern province of Mardin.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/two-soldiers-killed-in-pkk-attack-in-southeastern-turkey.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101059&NewsCatID=341|title=Two soldiers killed in PKK attack in southeastern Turkey|date=2016-06-29|access-date=2016-07-03}}
=July=
- On 8 July, Turkish Air Force jets launched a round of airstrikes into Qandil mountains and Şemdinli, stating that 12 PKK militants were killed.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/tr/gunun-basliklari/irakin-kuzeyi-ve-semdinli-kirsalina-hava-harekati-12-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi/604191|title=Irak'ın kuzeyi ve Şemdinli kırsalında 12 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi|access-date=15 July 2016}}
- On 8 July, the PKK launched nine to ten simultaneous attacks in the Semdinli district and the city of Yuksekova in southeastern Turkey. The Turkish army outpost at Artuklu was leveled and 4 soldiers were killed.{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/07/turkey-syria-pkk-leader-bahoz-erdal-assassination.html|title=Anatomy of a Turkish assassination fable|publisher=Al-Monitor|date=2016-07-15|access-date=2016-07-16}}
- On 9 July, 2 PKK militants were killed in Ağrı.{{cite web|url=http://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/agrida-2-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-260230.html|title=Ağrı'da 2 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi|date=9 July 2016 |access-date=15 July 2016}}
- From 9 July to 12 July, sources in the Turkish government stated that a senior PKK figure under the name of Fehman Huseyin alias Bahoz Erdal would have been assassinated in Syria.{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/07/turkey-syria-pkk-leader-bahoz-erdal-assassination.html|title=Anatomy of a Turkish assassination fable|publisher=Al-Monitor|date=2016-07-15|access-date=2016-07-22}} The story was initially taken up by several international media, it was however debunked when Erdal gave a radio interview on 13 July{{cite web|url=http://www.kurdishquestion.com/article/3283-039-killed-039-pkk-commander-bahoz-erdal-speaks-to-kurdish-radio|title='Killed' PKK Commander Bahoz Erdal Speaks to Kurdish Radio|publisher=kurdishquestion.com|date=2016-07-13|access-date=2016-07-26|archive-date=2017-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412164344/http://kurdishquestion.com/article/3283-039-killed-039-pkk-commander-bahoz-erdal-speaks-to-kurdish-radio|url-status=dead}} and later thoroughly deconstructed as fake.
- On 10 July, one PKK militant was killed in Van Province.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/vanda-bir-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-/605211|title=Van'da bir terörist etkisiz hale getirildi|access-date=15 July 2016}}
- On 11 July, 4 Turkish army soldiers were killed in a PKK attack in the Şemdinli district.{{cite web|url=http://www.milliyet.com.tr/semdinli-de-4-asker-sehit-oldu-gundem-2275577/|title=Şemdinli'de 5 asker şehit oldu!|date=11 July 2016 |access-date=15 July 2016}} 4 PKK militants were killed and 2 were captured in Mardin, Kızıltepe.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/tr/turkiye/kiziltepede-4-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi/605216|title=Kızıltepe'de 4 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi|access-date=15 July 2016}}
- On 20 July, Turkish Air Force jets launched a round of airstrikes into Northern-Iraq and killed 20 PKK militants.{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/turkce/haberler-turkiye-36843698|title=TSK: Kuzey Irak'ta 20 PKK'lı öldürüldü - BBC Türkçe|newspaper=BBC News Türkçe|access-date=3 September 2016}} One Village guard was killed while another 2 were wounded during a PKK attack in Şirvan district of the southeastern province of Siirt.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/village-guard-killed-in-pkk-attack-in-turkeys-southeast.aspx?pageID=238&nID=101844&NewsCatID=341|title=LOCAL - Village guard killed in PKK attack in Turkey's southeast|date=20 July 2016 |access-date=3 September 2016}}
- On 30 July, 35 PKK militants were killed in Hakkari after military operations were launched against PKK elements in the region.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/07/30/35-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-operations-in-turkeys-southeastern-hakkari-province|title=35 PKK terrorists killed in operations in Turkey's southeastern Hakkari province|website=Daily Sabah |date=30 July 2016|access-date=3 September 2016}}
- On 31 July, 3 Turkish soldiers were killed in Ordu by a PKK attack whom were conducting military operations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/08/22/pkk-terrorist-on-most-wanted-list-killed-in-ordu|title=PKK terrorist on most wanted list killed in Ordu|first=daily|last=sabah|date=22 August 2016|website=Daily Sabah}}{{cite web|url=http://www.ntv.com.tr/turkiye/orduda-askere-saldiri-3-sehit,l7T_y9lYNUyCPXO762LrUg|title=Ordu'da askere saldırı: 3 şehit|date=31 July 2016}}
=August=
- On 1 August, 5 police officers were killed in Bingöl after their convoy was ambushed by a remote detonated bomb.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-haberi-bingolde-cevik-kuvvet-aracina-bombali-saldiri-40178012|title=Son dakika haberi: Bingöl'de şehit olan polislerin isimleri ve memleketleri belli oldu!|first=Aziz ÖNAL/ BİNGÖL,(DHA)-|last=İHA|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=2 August 2016 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/news/five-police-killed-in-pkk-attack-in-eastern-turkey-official|title=Five police killed in PKK attack in eastern Turkey: official|website=SBS News}}
- On 11 August, Turkish Air Force fighters struck several positions in northern Iraq killing an unspecified amount of PKK militants following PKK attacks in Hakkari which killed 4 soldiers.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/08/11/turkey-strikes-pkk-terrorist-positions-in-northern-iraq|title=Turkey strikes PKK terrorist positions in northern Iraq|website=Daily Sabah |date=11 August 2016|access-date=3 September 2016}}
- On 15 August, a PKK car bomb attack on a police station near Bismil killed 6 people including 4 police officers and a child.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-blast-idUSKCN10Q0YL|title=Six people killed in PKK car bombing in Turkey's southeast: deputy PM|date=15 August 2016|newspaper=Reuters|last1=Cakan|first1=Seyhmus}}
- On 17 August, August 2016 Van attack.A car bomb was detonated near the building by a PKK member at 23:15 in front of the Iki Nisan Police Station on Sıhke Street in the central İpekyolu District of Van.. A total of 4 people, 2 of whom were police officers, lost their lives in the attack, and 72 people, 20 of whom were police officers, were injured. The surrounding buildings were also damaged in the attack.{{Cite web|title=Van'da bomba yüklü araçla saldırı: 3 şehit, 73 yaralı|url=https://www.haberturk.com/gundem/haber/1283614-vanda-bombali-saldiri|access-date=2021-02-16|website=www.haberturk.com|date=18 August 2016|language=tr}}
- On 18 August, an alleged PKK car bomb attack on a police station in Elazığ killed 7 police officers and wounded 224 people.{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/turkish-pm-blames-kurdish-militants-pkk-bombs-kill-7-wound-n633481|title=Turkish PM blames Kurdish militants after bombs kill 7, wound 224|website=NBC News |date=18 August 2016 |access-date=3 September 2016}}
- On 18 August, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced that his country does not differentiate between the Gulen Movement, PKK or ISIS designating them all as Terrorist organizations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/no-difference-between-feto-pkk-daesh-erdogan/631038|title=No difference between FETO, PKK, Daesh: Erdogan|website=www.aa.com.tr}}
- On 21 August, a PKK militant whom was on Turkey's most wanted list was killed by a police raid in Ordu. The militant was responsible for an attack that killed 3 soldiers in Turkey's south-east.
- On 24 August, 5 Turkish soldiers were killed in PKK rocket attacks on a military outpost in Lice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/six-soldiers-killed-in-separate-pkk-attacks-103179|title=Six soldiers killed in separate PKK attacks - Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=24 August 2016 }}
- On 25 August, an unsuccessful assassination attempt was carried out by the PKK against the Republican party leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu as his convoy passed through Artvin Province sparking a shoot-out between his private security detail accompanied by local police against PKK militants.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 25 August, during Operation Euphrates Shield while Turkish forces and pro-Turkish local militia factions liberated various towns and villages from ISIS control along the Turkish border, Kurdish YPG forces, whom Turkey states is a Syrian extension of the PKK, opened fire on Turkish troops and killed a Turkish soldier. Turkish fighter jets and artillery immediately after the incident reportedly struck YPG positions killing 25 YPG militants.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-army-says-25-pkkpyd-militants-killed-in-airstrikes-in-syrias-jarablus.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103296&NewsCatID=352|title=MIDEAST - Turkish military strikes YPG in Syria after soldier killed|date=29 August 2016 |access-date=3 September 2016}}
- On 26 August, a PKK truck bomb attack on a security checkpoint near a police station killed 11 police officers in Cizre and damaged the police station.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/turkey-truck-bomb-kills-police-checkpoint-cizre-iraq-syria-border/|title=Truck bomb kills at least 11 Turkish police|website=CBS News |date=26 August 2016 |access-date=3 September 2016}}
- On 28 August, a roadside bomb planted by PKK militants in Siirt injured 5 Turkish soldiers.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 28 August, a botched PKK attack resulted in heavy clashes with Turkish troops in Hakkari killing 9 PKK militants and injuring 2 Turkish soldiers.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 29 August, four Turkish Air Force F-16s carried out airstrikes on various PKK targets in northern Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-jets-strike-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq-/637614|title=Turkish jets strike PKK targets in northern Iraq|access-date=3 September 2016}}
=September=
- On 1 September, 2 soldiers in Siirt and a village guard in Van were killed in PKK attacks while Turkish airstrikes killed 3 PKK militants in Cukurca.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-kills-two-soldiers-one-village-guard-in-turkeys-east-103457|title=PKK kills two soldiers, one village guard in Turkey's east - Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=September 2016 }}
- On 2 September, Turkish riot police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse a group of protesters along the Syrian border, who demonstrated against Turkey building a wall on the Syrian border near the Kurdish-controlled Syrian town of Kobani. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights states that one child had been killed and more than 30 people injured.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-turkey-protests-idUSKCN1181EP|title=Turkish police use tear gas on protesters near Syrian border: security sources|publisher=Reuters|date=2 September 2016}}
- On 2 September, Turkish soldiers killed 27 PKK militants and captured a further 30 militants during ongoing military operations in Çukurca.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/27-pkk-militants-killed-in-operations-in-turkeys-hakkari-103490|title=27 PKK militants killed in operations in Turkey's Hakkari - Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=2 September 2016 }}
- On 2 September, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim announced that peace talks with the PKK would not restart and that military operations would continue
- On 4 September, multiple PKK attacks and relentless military operations in conjunction in Çukurca over the past weekend killed or wounded over a 104 PKK militants and 18 soldiers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/pkk-kills-19-army-says-104-militants-neutralized--103546|title=PKK kills 19, army says 104 militants 'neutralized' - Turkey News|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=5 September 2016 }}
- On 5 September, 30 PKK militants were killed in an airstrike in northern Iraq bringing the total number of PKK militants killed, wounded or captured over the past weekend to 157.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-kurds-idUSKCN11B1TM|title=Turkish military says 30 Kurdish militants killed in air strikes in northern Iraq|date=5 September 2016|newspaper=Reuters}}
- On 9 September, the Turkish Air Force hit 3 different PKK positions in airstrikes launched into northern Iraq.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkish-army-destroys-3-pkk-positions-in-n-iraq-/644039|title=Turkish army 'destroys' 3 PKK positions in N. Iraq|website=www.aa.com.tr}}
- On 9 September, 14 PKK militants were killed in Semdinli during military operations in the region.
- On 10 September, 33 PKK militants were killed in airstrikes in northern Iraq after the Turkish Air Force launched another round of bombings into the region striking 9 locations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-jets-kill-29-pkk-terrorists-in-northern-iraq/644500|title=Turkish jets kill 29 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq|website=www.aa.com.tr}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20160910120725.htm|title=Turkish Jets Destroy 9 PKK Targets Near Iraqi Border|access-date=10 September 2016|archive-date=11 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911225500/http://www.aina.org/news/20160910120725.htm|url-status=dead}}
- On 10 September, the Turkish government granted the jailed leader of the PKK, Abdullah Öcalan a family visit to his Island prison in İmralı.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/turkey-grants-jailed-pkk-leader-family-visit-004409660.html|title=Turkey grants jailed PKK leader family visit|website=www.yahoo.com|access-date=11 September 2016|archive-date=11 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911211040/https://www.yahoo.com/news/turkey-grants-jailed-pkk-leader-family-visit-004409660.html|url-status=dead}}
- On 10 September, Turkey announced it was swapping 28 administrations of local government municipalities in the countries south-east on having suspected links to the PKK.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
- On 12 September, a PKK car bomb in-front of the government municipality headquarters building in Van injured over 50 people.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/explosion-near-ruling-party-hq-in-eastern-turkey/2016/09/12/5d46d226-78c6-11e6-8064-c1ddc8a724bb_story.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913072218/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/explosion-near-ruling-party-hq-in-eastern-turkey/2016/09/12/5d46d226-78c6-11e6-8064-c1ddc8a724bb_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 September 2016|title=50 injured by PKK car bomb in east Turkey|newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=9 October 2016}}
- On 13 September, Dutch police announced that they would register the names of Turks and Kurds in the Netherlands who sympathize with the PKK into the national police database.{{cite web|url=http://www.dutchnews.nl/news/archives/2016/09/dutch-police-to-register-sympathisers-of-kurdish-separatist-pkk/|title=Dutch police to register sympathisers of Kurdish separatist PKK - DutchNews.nl|date=13 September 2016|access-date=9 October 2016}}
- On 14 September, Turkish air strikes in Hakkari killed 16 PKK militants.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-security-kurds-idUSKCN11K166|title=Turkish ruling party politician gunned down in restive southeast|date=14 September 2016|access-date=9 October 2016|newspaper=Reuters}}
- On 14 September, new evidence solidifying suspicions against 28 PKK linked mayors in various provinces in Turkey's southeast arose. According to the evidence, certain local counties and municipalities were providing local-government transportation and construction vehicles to PKK elements in order to transport ammunition, militants and other supplies while constructing barricades and barriers to be used against military and police targets.{{cite web|url=http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/new-evidence-may-show-pkk-infiltrated-turkish-municipalities-186211|title=New evidence may show PKK infiltrated Turkish municipalities|access-date=9 October 2016|archive-date=19 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919172713/http://www.trtworld.com/turkey/new-evidence-may-show-pkk-infiltrated-turkish-municipalities-186211|url-status=dead}}
- On 15 September, 7 local village guards, 2 soldiers and a civilian was killed after a security checkpoint was attacked by PKK rockets and sniper-fire in Ağrı. One of the village guards was retired having rushed to the seen after hearing about the then-ongoing attack.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nID=103941&NewsCatID=341|title=PKK kills 11 in Turkey's east, southeast - LOCAL|date=16 September 2016 |access-date=9 October 2016}}
- On 15 September, a civilian was killed in Nusaybin after a hidden explosive trap set by the PKK had detonated.
- On 16 September, Mehmet Ferden Çarıkçı, Turkey's permanent representative to the U.N.'s Geneva office, harshly criticized the U.N.'s report on Thursday which does not refer to the PKK as a terrorist organization, although the group is recognized as a terrorist organization by many countries including the U.S., the EU, and Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2016/09/17/turkish-envoy-slams-un-for-not-calling-pkk-a-terrorist-group|title=Turkish envoy slams UN for not calling PKK a terrorist group|website=Daily Sabah |date=17 September 2016|access-date=9 October 2016}}
- On 16 September 11 PKK militants were killed in ongoing military operations in Hakkâri Province while a village guard in Van was killed after attempting to prevent militants from cutting off a road.{{cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/OnemliYurticiOlaylar|title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı|access-date=9 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703190927/http://www.tsk.tr/OnemliYurticiOlaylar|archive-date=3 July 2016|url-status=dead}}
- On 16 September, Turkeys third largest political parties, the Kurdish HDP's Deputy co-chair along with 12 other members were arrested for reportedly of recruiting Kurdish youth to join the ranks of the PKK and having direct reported links with the militant organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/09/17/hdp-deputy-co-chair-arrested-for-membership-in-pkk|title=HDP deputy co-chair arrested for membership in PKK|website=Daily Sabah |date=17 September 2016|access-date=9 October 2016}}
- On 18 September, the Turkish military killed 3 PKK militants during ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://www.aina.org/news/20160918132826.htm|title=5 PKK Members Killed in Military Operations in Iraq, Turkey|access-date=9 October 2016|archive-date=1 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161001192810/http://www.aina.org/news/20160918132826.htm|url-status=dead}}
- On 19 September, the Turkish Air Force struck several targets in northern Iraq's Kirkuk Governorate destroying weapons positions and killing at-least 2 militants.
- On 22 September, a Turkish shepherd was approached and killed by PKK militants in Sirnak.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/shepherd-killed-in-pkk-attack-in-se-turkey/650843|title=Shepherd killed in PKK attack in SE Turkey|access-date=9 October 2016}}
- On 26 September, 2 Turkish soldiers and 2 village guards were killed by an IED bomb in Mardin{{cite web|url=https://au.news.yahoo.com/world/a/32732103/two-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-pkk-attack-media/#page1|title=At least 10 Turkish troops killed in PKK attacks|access-date=9 October 2016}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- On 26 September 6 Turkish soldiers were killed and 2 others were wounded in Uludere by a large-scale PKK rocket attack against troops patrolling a highway.
- On 26 September, 12 PKK militants were killed Yüksekova after the Turkish military intensified combat operations in-spite of recent PKK attacks.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
- On 29 September, a Turkish military drone strike killed 4 PKK militants in Hakkari while Turkish Air Force jets struck several PKK shelters and weapons storages in northern Iraq during a day of widespread military aerial operations in the region.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-jets-destroy-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq/655357|title=Turkish jets destroy PKK targets in northern Iraq|access-date=9 October 2016}}
- On 29 September, PKK militants in the border province of Hakkari opened fire upon volunteer defense militia and killed 3 village guards.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN11Z0KH|title=Kurdish militants kill three Turkish militia members: sources|date=29 September 2016|access-date=9 October 2016|newspaper=Reuters}}
- On 30 September, 6 PKK militants were killed in Ordu during military operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/Default.aspx?pageID=238&nid=104426|title=Six PKK militants killed in Turkey's north - LOCAL|date=30 September 2016 |access-date=2 December 2016}}
=October=
- On 3 October, Turkish Army troops killed a total of 20 PKK militants during heavy clashes amidst ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Sirnak.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 3 October, an IED attack on a Turkish army convoy killed 2 Turkish soldiers in Hakkari.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
- On 5 October, 3 PKK militants were killed in heavy clashes with Turkish forces in Cukurca.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tsk.tr/OnemliYurticiOlaylar|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160703190927/http://www.tsk.tr/OnemliYurticiOlaylar|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2016|title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı|date=3 July 2016}}
- On 6 October, 8 PKK militants were killed in a combination of air and land operations by Turkish forces ongoing in the Hakkari and Agri regions.
- On 7 October, the bodies of 5 previously killed PKK militants were recovered from a cave in Cukurca along with weapon magazines, explosives and AK-type rifles used by the militants.
- On 8 October, Turkish forces recovered the body of an individual who had been abducted by PKK militants in a ditch on the side of a road in Sur.{{cite web|url=http://m.haberler.com/diyarbakir-da-1-erkek-cesedi-bulundu-8839904-haberi/|title=Diyarbakır'da PKK'lılar Tarafından Kaçırılan Kişi Ölü Bulundu|date=8 October 2016|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 8 October, PKK militants executed a female militant attempting to flee the group.{{cite web|url=http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/pkk-female-fighter-executed-trying-escape-failed/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009150214/http://www.iraqinews.com/iraq-war/pkk-female-fighter-executed-trying-escape-failed/|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 October 2016|title=PKK female fighter executed after trying to desert - Iraqi News|date=9 October 2016}}
- On 9 October, a PKK truck bomb attack on a Turkish Gendarmerie outpost in Hakkari killed 18 people including 10 Turkish soldiers and eight civilians.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/10/world/europe/turkey-kurdish-pkk-bomb.html|title=Car Bomb Kills 18 at a Military Checkpoint in Turkey|date=10 October 2016|access-date=2 December 2016|newspaper=The New York Times}}
- On 9 October, the Turkish Army killed 8 PKK militants during a raid on a PKK weapons and munitions depot in Cukurca.{{cite web|url=http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2537240&language=en|title=KUNA : Turkish army kills 8 PKK militants in SE Turkey - Military - 09/10/2016|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 10 October, Turkish police foiled a suicide bombing plot in the nation's capital, Ankara; the standoff ended with the militants detonating explosives during a police raid which only resulted in the death of the PKK militants{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/pkk-blamed-for-foiled-ankara-bombing/a-35995261|title=PKK blamed for foiled Ankara bombing - News - DW.COM - 08.10.2016|first=Deutsche Welle|last=(www.dw.com)|website=Deutsche Welle |access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 11 October, a Turkish army T-129 attack helicopter neutralized a vehicle rigged with explosives used by PKK as a car-bomb before it could ram into and detonate at nearby troops in Lice
- On 11 October, during ongoing military operations across Turkey's south-east 20 tons of Ammonium nitrate intended for explosives use was captured in Sur, hundreds of AK magazines were captured in Batman along with explosives, and over a thousand of varying rifle magazines and rocket munitions were captured in Cukurca.
- On 12 October, 9 PKK militants were killed in Cukurca by a Turkish military drone strike.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/7-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-turkeys-southeast/663693|title=7 PKK terrorists killed in Turkey's southeast|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 13 October, 5 PKK militants were killed in northern Iraq by Turkish Army artillery strikes.
- On 13 October, Turkish Air Force F-16's struck PKK shelters in northern Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/178645/turkish-jets-destroy-pkk-positions-in-northern-iraq|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015211556/http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/178645/turkish-jets-destroy-pkk-positions-in-northern-iraq|url-status=usurped|archive-date=15 October 2016|title=Turkish jets destroy PKK positions in northern Iraq - World Bulletin|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 15 October, multiple shelters and caves used by the PKK were destroyed during by Turkish military operations in Sirnak, Cukurca and Bitlis.
- On 17 October, 10 PKK militants were killed in Tunceli by a Turkish military airstrike during ongoing counter insurgency operations in the region.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/10-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-eastern-turkey/666887|title=10 PKK terrorists killed in eastern Turkey|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 18 October, 4 PKK militants were killed by Turkish army operations in Cukurca.
- On 19 October, Turkish fighter jets struck PKK shelters in Hakkari on the mountainous Turkish-Iraq border.{{citation needed|date=January 2018}}
- On 20 October, between 9:11 p.m. and 11:59 p.m. the Turkish Air Force conducted a massive aerial operation against PKK-linked Kurdish YPG targets in Syria's Aleppo province.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkish-airstrikes-kill-up-to-200-pkk-pyd-terrorists/668584|title=Turkish airstrikes kill up to 200 PKK/PYD terrorists|access-date=2 December 2016}} The SOHR reported 14 militants have died due to the airstrikes.{{Cite web|date=2016-10-20|title=14 fighters of the Syria Democratic Forces killed in the Turkish airstrikes at Aleppo's countryside • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/52821/|access-date=2020-06-29|website=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|language=en-US}} Turkey has previously militarily threatened the YPG and said it that Turkey wouldn't permit a terror corridor to be established at its southern border.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/turkey-army-kills-200-ypg-fighters-aleppo-161020070457309.html|title=Turkey: Army kills up to 200 YPG fighters in Aleppo|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 20 October, 26 PKK militants and 2 Turkish soldiers were killed in Hakkari during Turkish army counter-insurgency operations.{{cite web|url=http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2016/10/20/412280/anadolu-agency-21-pkk-terrorists-killed-near-iraq-border.html|title=Anadolu Agency: 21 PKK terrorists killed near Iraq border|access-date=2 December 2016|archive-date=23 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161023182559/http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2016/10/20/412280/anadolu-agency-21-pkk-terrorists-killed-near-iraq-border.html|url-status=dead}}
- On 21 October, 12 PKK militants in Hakkari were killed by Turkish troops during ongoing military operations to root out the separatist militant organization.{{cite web|url=http://news.antiwar.com/2016/10/21/turkey-18-pkk-killed-in-attacks-in-se-turkey-northern-iraq/|title=Turkey: 18 PKK Killed in Attacks in SE Turkey, Northern Iraq|date=22 October 2016|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 21 October, 6 PKK militants in northern Iraq were killed by Turkish air-strikes.
- On 21 October, about 100 rockets were fired by the Turkish army into regions of Syria held by the YPG striking several targets.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/10/turkey-shells-kurdish-fighters-aleppo-province-161021174827800.html|title=Turkey shells Kurdish fighters in Aleppo province|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 23 October, 7 PKK militants were killed by the Turkish armed forces in Tunceli during counter-insurgency operations.
- On 24 October, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in a meeting with his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault assured the public with a statement that Turkey would begin to more actively fight the PKK in Iraq in addition the insurgency in the nations south-east.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/war-on-terror/2016/10/24/turkey-assures-it-will-combat-pkk-terror-in-iraq-more-actively|title=Turkey assures it will combat PKK terror in Iraq more actively|website=Daily Sabah |date=24 October 2016|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 24 October, 7 PKK militants were killed in Turkish army operations in Cukurca.{{cite web|url=http://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/13-pkk-terrorists-killed-in-hakkari-turkey-2553026|title=13 PKK terrorists killed in Hakkari, Turkey|last=Çelik|first=Ersin|publisher=Yeni Şafak|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 25 October, the co mayors of Diyarbakır, Gültan Kışanak and Firhat Anlı, were arrested.
=November=
- On 2 November, 6 PKK militants surrendered to Turkish forces in Silopi.
- On 3 November, Turkish military operations killed 5 PKK militants, two in Bitlis, two in northern Iraq and one in Lice.
- On 4 November, at least nine people were killed and more than 100 injured in a car bomb attack outside the police headquarters in central Diyarbakır. The governor of Diyarbakır Province, Cahit Kıraç, said the Kurdistan Workers' Party had claimed responsibility. The bombing took place just hours after the arrests of pro-Kurdish HDP leaders, Selahattin Demirtaş and Figen Yüksekdağ whom are said by the Turkish government to have ties to the outlawed PKK organization.{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/11/wounded-explosion-southeast-turkey-161104061028260.html|title=Nine dead in blast in southeastern Turkey|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 4 November, 14 PKK militants were killed in widespread Turkish military operations, seven in Sirnak, three in Hakkari, three in northern Iraq, and one in Lice while a separate militant surrendered in Nusaybin.
- On 5 November, 17 PKK militants in ongoing Turkish military operations were killed, 14 in Sirnak and 3 in Hakkari.
- On 20 November, 12 PKK militants were killed in by a Turkish military drone strike in Daglica.{{cite web|title=Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri Genelkurmay Başkanlığı|url=http://www.tsk.tr/YurticiOlaylar|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130170514/http://www.tsk.tr/YurticiOlaylar|archive-date=30 November 2016|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 29 November, Security forces killed at least 10 PKK insurgents in Şırnak.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/29-pkk-terrorists-neutralized-in-se-turkey-operations/695740|title=29 PKK terrorists 'neutralized' in SE Turkey operations|access-date=2 December 2016}}
=December=
- On 2 December, a military operation left 3 soldiers dead and another 3 were wounded in Hakkâri Province, Turkey. 20 PKK militants were killed or captured as well during the operation.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/3-soldiers-martyred-in-se-turkey/697712|title=3 soldiers martyred in SE Turkey|access-date=2 December 2016}}
- On 10 December, a twin TAK-linked suicide bombing attack in Istanbul against riot police maintaining security for a Besiktas soccer game killed 36 police officers and 8 civilians. Following the attack hundreds of suspects were arrested including dozens of pro-Kurdish HDP party members.{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/11/europe/istanbul-explosions/index.html|title=Istanbul explosions: 44 killed, 155 wounded|author1=Arwa Damon |author2=Chandrika Narayan |author3=Max Blau|publisher=CNN|access-date=19 April 2017}}
- A Turkish fighter jet crashed near an airport in the Kurdish city of Diyarbakır on 12 Dec., the military said, but the pilot was able to safely eject from the plane. According to a government spokesman the plane had fallen due to a possible technical malfunction.{{Cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com.tr/haber/diyarbakirda-f-16-dustu-0|title=Diyarbakır'da F-16 düştü|newspaper=Al Jazeera Turk - Ortadoğu, Kafkasya, Balkanlar, Türkiye ve çevresindeki bölgeden son dakika haberleri ve analizler|access-date=2016-12-15}} Also PKK militants took responsibility for the downed Turkish jet.{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-kurdistan-workers-party-take-responsibility-downed-turkish-jet/|title=BREAKING: Kurdistan Workers Party take responsibility for downed Turkish jet|date=14 December 2016|access-date=14 December 2016|archive-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214155138/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/breaking-kurdistan-workers-party-take-responsibility-downed-turkish-jet/|url-status=dead}}
- On 17 December a PKK-linked group carried out another attack in Kayseri using a car bomb to ram a public bus full of off-duty paratrooper commandos killed 14 troops.
2017 timeline<ref name="ReferenceD">{{Cite web|url=https://www.crisisgroup.org/content/turkeys-pkk-conflict-visual-explainer|title=Turkey's PKK Conflict: A Visual Explainer|date=1 March 2019|website=Crisis Group}}</ref>
=January=
- On 5 January, a shootout in İzmir kills two gunmen. During the shootout a car bomb explodes, killing a police officer and court employee. Veysi Kaynak states that the discovery of more weapons on the scene suggests that a larger attack was foiled. Provincial governor Erol Ayyıldız blames the attack on the PKK.{{cite web |last=Chulov |first=Martin |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jan/05/turkish-police-shoot-dead-two-suspected-attackers-after-explosion |title=Car bomb kills two outside courthouse in Turkish city of İzmir |work=The Guardian |date=5 January 2017 |access-date=6 January 2017}}
- On 13 and 14 January, at least 57 PKK fighters were killed and scores of others injured in Turkish airstrikes in northern Iraq, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement. Although, it could not be independently verified.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/turkish-jets-kill-57-pkk-terrorists-in-northern-iraq/736226|title=Turkish jets kill 57 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq|publisher=Anadolu Agency}}
- Crisis group puts overall casualties at 30 people killed, including 16 PKK militants, 11 security personnel and 3 civilians for the month of January.
=February=
=March=
- On 9 March, 19 PKK militants and one Turkish soldier were killed in military operations in southeastern Diyarbakir and eastern Bingol provinces that was launched by Turkey on 5 March.{{cite web|url=http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-19-terrorists-killed-in-anti-pkk-operations/767692|title=Turkey: 19 terrorists killed in anti-PKK operations|publisher=Anadolu Agency}}
Overall, 92 people died, including 82 PKK militants 8 security forces personnel and 2 civilians.
=April=
- On 24 April, 90 YPG, Jezidi-YBŞ and Peshmerga fighters were killed in an air raid conducted by the Turkish Air Force against targets in Syria, and Iraq. Turkish authorities state YPG militants are directly affiliated with the PKK.[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-turkey-iraq-idUSKBN17R0D2] Turkish jets strike Kurdish fighters in Syria, Iraq's Sinjar
- On 29 April, 45 PKK militants were killed in airstrikes by the Turkish Air Force against militant targets in Iraq.{{cite web|url=http://www.trtworld.com/mea/turkish-air-strikes-hit-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq-says-military-345585|title=Turkish air strikes hit PKK targets in northern Iraq, says military|access-date=26 June 2017|archive-date=29 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629185700/http://www.trtworld.com/mea/turkish-air-strikes-hit-pkk-targets-in-northern-iraq-says-military-345585|url-status=dead}}
- Overall, 108 people died, including 84 PKK militants 23 security forces personnel and one civilian.
=May=
- Overall, 64 people died, including 41 PKK militants 21 security forces personnel and two civilians.
=June=
- Overall, 90 people died, including 61 PKK militants 28 security forces personnel and one civilian.
=July=
- Overall, 96 people died, including 74 PKK militants 12 security forces personnel and 10 civilians.
=August=
- Overall, 67 people died, including 44 PKK militants 14 security forces personnel and 9 civilians.
=September=
- Overall, 102 people died, including 79 PKK militants 12 security forces personnel and 11 civilians.
=October=
- Overall, 48 people died, including 25 PKK militants 17 security forces personnel and 6 civilians.
=November=
- Overall, 77 people died, including 61 PKK militants 14 security forces personnel and 2 civilians.
=December=
- Overall, 26 people died, including 22 PKK militants 4 security forces personnel.
2018 timeline<ref name="ReferenceD"/>
=January=
{{further|Turkish military intervention in Afrin|Turkish occupation of northern Syria}}
File:Defend Afrin Demonstration at BBC London (2).jpg, 31 March 2018]]
- On 20 January 2018, the Turkish military began an attack in the Afrin region of Syria, code-named by Turkey as Operation Olive Branch ({{langx|tr|Zeytin Dalı Harekâtı}}). The offensive is against the Kurdish-led Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria,{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/01/erdogan-operation-syria-afrin-begun-180120120424928.html|title=Erdogan: Operation in Syria's Afrin has begun|publisher=Al Jazeera}} its armed wing People's Protection Units (YPG), and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) positions surrounding the Syrian city of Afrin. Turkey also says it is fighting ISIL,{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/01/20/middleeast/turkey-syria-military-operation/index.html|title=Turkish jets hammer Syrian town to oust US-backed Kurdish militia|author1=Gul Tuysuz|author2=Joe Sterling |author3=Schams Elwazer|date=20 January 2018 |publisher=CNN}} though ISIL does not exist in Afrin.{{cite news|title=US Getting 'Conflicting Signals' on Turkey's Syria Ops|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-getting-conflicting-signals-on-turkey-syria-ops/4221476.html|agency=Voice of America|date=23 January 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.alaraby.co.uk/english/comment/2018/1/23/turkeys-afrin-offensive-is-not-about-islamic-state|title=Turkey's Afrin offensive is not about Islamic State|author=James Snell|website=Alaraby.co.uk|date=22 January 2018|access-date=5 January 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-claims-260-ypg-isis-fighters-killed-northern-syria/|title=Turkey claims over 260 YPG, ISIS fighters killed in northern Syria|author=Leith Aboufadel|date=23 January 2018|access-date=5 January 2019|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124195526/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/turkey-claims-260-ypg-isis-fighters-killed-northern-syria/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/hundreds-of-kurdish-is-fighters-killed-in-syrias-afrin-turkey/a-42281066|title=Hundreds of Kurdish, IS fighters killed in Syria's Afrin: Turkey|date=24 January 2018|work=Deutsche Welle|access-date=5 January 2019}} Afrin and the surrounding area is claimed by the Democratic Federation of Northern Syria as the Afrin Region. It is the first major military operation by Turkey in Syria since Operation Euphrates Shield.
=February=
=March=
- Overall, 81 people were killed, including 61 PKK militants, 18 security personnel and two civilians.
=April=
- Overall, 63 people were killed, including 46 PKK militants, 16 security personnel and one civilian.
=May=
- Overall, 40 people were killed, including 27 PKK militants, 11 security personnel and two civilians.
=June=
- Overall, 95 people were killed, including 71 PKK militants, 23 security personnel and one civilian.
=July=
- Overall, 93 people were killed, including 82 PKK militants, 7 security personnel and four civilians.
=August=
- 15 August, a Turkish airstrike killed Zeki Shengali, as they bombed mourners returning from en event remembering Yazidi victims of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).{{Cite web|title=Group confirms death of PKK Commander in Turkish airstrikes on Shingal|url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/9f1335f3-e1d6-4aef-acf6-9639aadf9e8e|access-date=2020-06-29|website=www.kurdistan24.net}}
Overall, 72 people were killed, including 58 PKK militants, 12 security personnel and two civilians.
=September=
- Overall, 56 people were killed, including 50 PKK militants, 4 security personnel and two civilians.
File:Claimed and de facto territory of Rojava.png-controlled territory (green) and Turkish-occupied territory (red) in December 2018]]
=October=
Overall, 30 people were killed, including 15 PKK militants, 13 security personnel and two civilians.
=November=
- On 1 November, US officials confirmed that US and Turkish military forces had conducted two joint patrols on the outskirts of Manbij, Syria, which is held by the Manbij Military Council (MMC). MMC reported that YPG-aligned militants left the city.{{Cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/us-turkey-conduct-second-joint-patrol-manbij|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106171823/https://www.voanews.com/middle-east/us-turkey-conduct-second-joint-patrol-manbij|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2019|title=US, Turkey Conduct Second Joint Patrol in Manbij|work=Voice of America}}
- Overall, 45 people were killed, including 34 PKK militants, 10 security personnel and one civilians.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}
=December=
- Turkey has amassed troops and tanks on the outskirts of Manbij, announcing an intention to drive out the PKK from that city. On 24 December, US President Donald Trump announced that he would order the withdrawal of the approximately 2,000 US service members on the ground in Syria in support of the YPG campaign against ISIS. On 28 December, YPG tweeted an invitation to Syrian Arab Army (SAA) to enter SDF-held territory around Manbij, for the purpose of countering an anticipated invasion by Turkish-backed forces, in the absence of US support.{{cite news |title=Syrian Army Amasses Outside Kurdish-Held Manbij, As Turkish Force Looms Over Border |newspaper=NPR |date=28 December 2018 |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/12/28/680670211/syrian-army-amasses-outside-kurdish-held-manbij-as-turkish-force-looms-over-bord |access-date=1 January 2019|last1=Sherlock |first1=Ruth |last2=Chappell |first2=Bill }} The SAA has moved into the SDF front lines facing Turkish-held areas to the east of Manbij. US, French and British forces are still present in the front lines to the north of the city.{{cite web |title=Map of Manbij after Syrian Army, rebel forces mobilize near city |date=31 December 2018 |url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/map-of-manbij-after-syrian-army-rebel-forces-mobilize-near-city/ |access-date=1 January 2019 |archive-date=14 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114113240/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/map-of-manbij-after-syrian-army-rebel-forces-mobilize-near-city/ |url-status=dead }}
2019 timeline
=January=
- On 4 January 2019, one Turkish soldier was killed, and one PKK militant was 'neutralized' (killed/captured), and two others were injured in an attack which took place near Emince village of Aralik district, located in Igdir province bordering Iran, according to Hurriyet Daily News and Anadolu Agency.{{cite web |title=Soldier killed in PKK attack near Iran border |access-date=12 January 2019 |date=4 January 2019 |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/soldier-killed-in-pkk-attack-near-iran-border-140253}}
- On 23 January 2019, the PKK reportedly kidnapped four people, who crossed the Sarzeri border crossing in Duhok province. Because of this, Turkey decided to close the border gate.{{cite web |title=Turkey closes border gate with Kurdistan Region after 'PKK kidnaps' four people|access-date=23 January 2019|date=23 January 2019|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/19264282-4a51-4262-8aff-7a5ed2667b98}} 13 days later, the border gate was reopened.{{cite news|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/7b46e28b-8b3e-4d5a-a739-dc878cf5d96c|title=Turkey reopens border crossing with Kurdistan after 13-day closure: official|language=en|work=Kurdistan24|date=4 February 2019|access-date=20 March 2019}}
- On 24 January 2019, the Turkish Armed Forces conducted airstrikes against the PKK in the region of Sheladiz village, Dohuk province. According to Kurdistan24, four civilians were killed in the strikes, whereas Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that the strikes were 'successful', and PKK got disturbed.{{cite web|title=PKK disturbed by successful airstrikes in N. Iraq|language=en|access-date=27 January 2019|date=27 January 2019|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/-pkk-disturbed-by-successful-airstrikes-in-n-iraq-/1376270}}{{cite web|title=WATCH: Hundreds protest in Kurdistan's Sheladize after recent Turkish bombardment|access-date=27 January 2019|date=26 January 2019|language=en|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/11676e46-4961-4748-8ef9-cf491ed65387}} Locals protested against both the Turkish military and the PKK, demanding to move their fight elsewhere, and attacked a Turkish military base, which resulted in the death of two (according to New Generation Movement, one protester(s), and in the injury of several more, as well as partial damage to some equipment and vehicles in the base. Cavusoglu said, "They [the PKK] are disturbed by these. They started provoking local people. We know that there is PKK behind this". He stated he had a telephone conversation with Nechirvan Barzani Nechirvan Barzani late Saturday.
- The KRG (Kurdistan Regional Government) expressed concerns over the protests. They stated there is 'a disruptive hand' behind the events.{{cite web|title=KRG expresses concerns over Sheladize protest, says 'disruptive hand' behind it|access-date=27 January 2019|date=27 January 2019|language=en|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/a9917813-3c83-426e-af7f-d5865126cd5f}}
- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry condemned the Turkish forces 'opening fire' on the protesters, and summoned Turkey's ambassador to Baghdad. However, the Foreign Ministry also condemned "the use of its territory to threaten the security and safety of any neighboring country."{{cite web|title=Iraqi FM condemns Turkish forces 'shooting' Sheladize people, summons Turkish envoy|access-date=27 January 2019|date=27 January 2019|language=en|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/379ff5ea-cb6a-4277-aa41-d86f1d201372}}
- The Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar said: 'Since they [PKK terrorists] realized that they cannot fight against Turkish soldiers, they try to provoke the innocent locals'. He also stated 'Our effective operations will continue without interruption. All these provocations will be defeated and we will clear the area off terrorists'.{{cite web|title=Turkey defeats PKK provocation in N. Iraq: Defense minister|access-date=27 January 2019|date=27 January 2019|language=en|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkey-defeats-pkk-provocation-in-n-iraq-defense-minister/1376364}}
- An NRT News team was arrested by KRG authorities, when they were filming in front of the Dohuk Emergency Hospital to report on the condition of the injured protesters, and several other NRT staff was arrested as well. They were all released later.{{cite web|title=NRT OFFICE IN DUHOK SHUT DOWN BY KURDISH SECURITY FORCES|access-date=27 January 2019|date=27 January 2019|language=en|url=http://www.nrttv.com/EN/News.aspx?id=9767&MapID=1}}
=March=
- On 16 March 2019, two Turkish soldiers were killed and eight more were wounded after an assault. Turkey stated that six PKK fighters were neutralized during the incident.{{cite news|url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/03/16/turkey-says-two-of-its-soldiers-killed-eight-wounded-in-northern-iraq|title=Turkey says two of its soldiers killed, eight wounded in northern Iraq|language=en|work=Euronews|date=16 March 2019|access-date=20 March 2019}} On 20 March 2019, one Turkish soldier was killed in the southeastern part of Sirnak province by an IED while carrying out a search operation. Another soldier was wounded because of the explosion.{{cite news|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/soldier-martyred-in-pkk-terror-attack-in-se-turkey/1423443|title=Soldier martyred in PKK terror attack in SE Turkey|language=en|work=Anadolu|date=20 March 2019|access-date=20 March 2019}}
=April=
- On 19 April 2019, four Turkish soldiers were killed, and six were wounded near Iraqi Kurdistan's border. The Turkish Defense Ministry said they were working 'to determine' whether there were Kurdish casualties.{{cite web|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/11eee96d-7f2c-4291-b0f5-235ba50266b3|title=Four Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with Kurdish rebels|work=Kurdistan24|language=en|date=20 April 2019|access-date=22 April 2019}}
- On the same day, and on 20 April 2019, Turkish police used violence against Kurdish mothers protesting in solidarity with political prisoners in Kocaeli and in Turkey's Mardin province. Lawmakers in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Gursel Tekin expressed their concerns about the event in Kocaeli.{{cite web|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/414399d0-1210-4320-99c5-722d14df0044|title=Middle East Turkish police violence against Kurdish prisoners' mothers leads to uproar|work=Kurdistan24|language=en|date=20 April 2019|access-date=23 April 2019}}
- On 26 April 2019, five PKK militants were neutralized in Diyarbakir's Lice region.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yerel-haberler/diyarbakir/licede-5-pkklinin-olu-ele-gecirildigi-operasy-41195838|title=Lice'de 5 PKK'lının ölü ele geçirildiği operasyonda 21 sığınak bulundu|last=DHA|website=Hürriyet|date=27 April 2019 }}
- On 29 April 2019, Turkish jets bombarded the Kurdistan Region's Chamanke district in Duhok province. No human casualties were reported.{{cite web|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/3e69cfdc-994d-4389-9cce-7645a289a27b|title=Turkish jets shell Kurdistan Region's Chamanke district, target local mosque|work=Kurdistan24|language=en|date=29 April 2019|access-date=29 April 2019}}
- On 30 April 2019, five PKK militants were neutralized in Siirt.{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/5-pkk-terrorists-neutralized-in-southeast-turkey/1468052|title=5 PKK terrorists neutralized in southeast Turkey|website=aa.com.tr}}
=May=
- On 1 May 2019, five PKK militants were killed in the Amanos mountains in Hatay province.{{cite web|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-security-forces-neutralize-five-terrorists/1466930|title=Turkish security forces 'neutralize' five terrorists|website=aa.com.tr}}
- On 4 May 2019, three Turkish soldiers were killed after a PKK mortar attack in the Sherwan Mazin region in Erbil Province. After the attack, gunfire was heard in the area, and Turkish gunships began to target suspected elements of PKK. The heaviest clashes occurred around Chama village. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said 23 PKK militants were killed in the pursuit.{{cite web|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/050520191|title=Turkish helicopter gunship pursues PKK into Kurdistan Region villages|work=Rudaw|language=en|date=5 May 2019|access-date=6 May 2019}}
- On 20 May 2019, it was reported that the Turkish forces have been locked in days of clashes in the Sidekan area of Erbil Governorate. Neither side has disclosed casualty figures yet.{{cite web|url=http://www.rudaw.net/english/kurdistan/200520193|title=PKK clash with Turkish forces in northern Erbil province|work=Rudaw|language=en|date=20 May 2019|access-date=24 May 2019}}
- On 27 May 2019, Turkish Armed Forces launched a counter-terrorism operation, Operation Claw (2019–2020) in northern Iraq to destroy caves and shelters used by PKK militants.{{cite web|url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190528-turkey-launches-counter-terror-operation-in-north-iraq/|title=Turkey launches counter-terror operation in north Iraq|date=28 May 2019|access-date=28 May 2019|publisher=Middle East Monitor}}
- Overall, 69 people died in the month of May; 49 PKK militants, 17 security forces and 3 civilians.
=June=
=July=
=August=
- Overall, 53 people died, including 38 PKK militants, 13 security forces and 2 civilians.
- On 19 August, the mayors of the cities Mardin, Ahmet Türk, Diyarbakir, Adnan Selçuk Mizrakli, and Van, Bedia Özgökçe Ertan, all three from the HDP, where dismissed by the Turkish Government. The same day also hundreds of HDP politicians and members were detained.{{Cite web|date=7 February 2020|title=Turkey: Kurdish Mayors' Removal Violates Voters' Rights|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/02/07/turkey-kurdish-mayors-removal-violates-voters-rights|access-date=5 July 2020|website=Human Rights Watch|language=en}}
=September=
=October=
- On 9 October, the Operation Peace Spring began. Overall, 33 people died, including 28 PKK militants and 5 security forces.
=November=
=December=
2020 timeline
= January =
= February =
= March =
= April =
= May =
= June =
= July =
= August =
= September =
= October =
On 26 October, two PKK militants ambushed the police in İskenderun and one of them detonated the bombs on him, injuring 1 police officer and 2 civilians.{{Cite web|last=AA-DHA-İHA|title=Son dakika haberler... Hatay'ın İskenderun ilçesinde patlama! Bakan Soylu duyurdu: İkisi de etkisiz hale getirildi|url=https://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/son-dakika-haberler-hatayin-iskenderun-ilcesinde-patlama-cok-sayida-polis-ve-saglik-ekibi-bolgede-41646531|access-date=2020-10-30|website=www.hurriyet.com.tr|date=27 October 2020 |language=tr}}{{Cite web|title='PKK suicide bombing' in southern Turkey|url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/world/europe/pkk-suicide-bombing-in-southern-turkey-1.1100167|access-date=2020-11-20|website=The National|date=27 October 2020 |language=en}}
Overall, 12 people died, including 7 PKK militants, 2 security forces and 3 civilians.
= November =
2021 timeline
=January=
- Throughout January 2021, Turkey began threatening Iraq and the Kurdistan Regional Government about an attack towards Iraqi and Kurdish forces in Sinjar.[https://ahvalnews.com/sinjar/turkey-presented-iraq-four-proposals-pkk-operation-report Turkey presented Iraq four proposals] Ahval News.
- On 11 January 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the Eren Operations{{Page needed|date=April 2021}} started. Operations were named in honor and memory of 15-year-old boy Eren Bülbül, who was killed by PKK members on 11 August 2017. The first of the operations called "Eren-1 Tendürek Operation", 1,071 personnel and 72 operational teams consisting of Gendarmerie Commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Police Special Operations (PÖH) and security village guard teams took part to eliminate the insurgents in the Mount Tendürek area.{{Cite web|title=Eren Operasyonları Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/eren-operasyonlari-baslatildii|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1348967473081626629 |date=12 January 2021 |title=#İyikiVarsınEren🇹🇷 2020'de, 15 Temmuz'un en genç Şehidi Halil İbrahim Yıldırım'ın anısına başlatılan Yıldırım Operasyonları tamamlandı.⌛️ 2021'de ise, Eren Operasyonları başlatıldı🇹🇷 Şehit Eren Bülbül'ün anısına⬇️⏳ https://t.co/P1q9qchX5w |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524210010/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1348967473081626629 |archive-date=24 May 2021 |url-status=live}}
- On 20 January 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in Lice.
Eren-2 Lice Operation , in which 2,024 personnel and 116 operational teams took part, was initiated.{{Cite web|title=Eren 2 Lice Operasyonu Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/eren-2-lice-operasyonu-baslatildi|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1351833950017216513 |date=20 January 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla "EREN-2 LİCE" Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/APrfPY6Yk3 |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120100842/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1351833950017216513 |archive-date=20 January 2021 |url-status=live}} - On 23 January 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in Mount Agri.
Eren-3 Mount Agri Operation , Gendarmerie Commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Police Special Operations (PÖH) and security village guard teams took part to eliminate the insurgents the Mount Agri area.{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1352918965593534464 |date=23 January 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla "EREN-3 AĞRI DAĞI" Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/ibsTcf1srG |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123100028/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1352918965593534464 |archive-date=23 January 2021 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Eren 3 Ağrı Dağı Operasyonu Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/eren-3-agri-dagi-operasyonu-baslatildi|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}} - On 25 January 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced announces two simultaneous operations while the previous commenced operations continue.
Eren-4 Karlıova-Varto and Eren-5 Bagok operations started simultaneously. Gendarmerie Commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Police Special Operations (PÖH) and security village guard teams took part with 1.620 personnel total 93 operational teams for Karlıova - Varto area and 2550 personnel total 145 operational teams for Mount Bagok area to clear from insurgents.{{Cite web|title=Eren-4 Karlıova-Varto, Eren-5 Bagok Operasyonları Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/eren-4-karliova-varto-eren-5-bagok-operasyonlari-baslatildi|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1354004903350439936 |date=26 January 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla⬇️ ✔️EREN-4 KARLIOVA-VARTO ve ✔️EREN-5 BAGOK Operasyonları başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/VwApOetITE |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126095512/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1354004903350439936 |archive-date=26 January 2021 |url-status=live}}
=February=
{{Main|Operation Claw-Eagle 2}}
- On 2 February 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in Bitlis and Siirt area.
Eren-6 Mergelo , in which 1,453 personnel and 82 operational teams took part, was initiated.{{Cite web|title=Bitlis ve Siirt İllerinde Eren-6 Mergelo Operasyonu Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/bitlis-ve-siirt-illerinde-eren-6-mergelo-operasyonu-baslatildi|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1356534589221703680 |date=2 February 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla Bitlis ve Siirt illerinde EREN-6 MERGELO Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/kh2JkwELMO |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202092714/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1356534589221703680 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |url-status=live}} - On 5 February 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in Tunceli area.
Eren-7 Mercan Munzur , in which 1,062 personnel and 59 operational teams took part, was initiated.{{Cite web|title=Tunceli'de Eren-7 Mercan Munzur Operasyonu Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/tuncelide-eren-7-mercan-munzur-operasyonu-baslatildi|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1357629359771779073 |date=5 February 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla Tunceli ilinde EREN-7 MERCAN-MUNZUR Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/wpY92wox0d |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205095725/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1357629359771779073 |archive-date=5 February 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1358098049692762114 |date=6 February 2021 |title=Korku nedir bilmeyen kahraman Jandarma Komandolarımızın sizlere mesajı var. 🇹🇷📣 📍 Tunceli #Jandarma #JandarmaKomando #JÖH #GüvenlikKorucusu https://t.co/id3sEBi9T4 |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420080100/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1358098049692762114 |archive-date=20 April 2021 |url-status=live}} - On 8 February 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in the provinces of Hatay, Osmaniye, Gaziantep.
Eren-8 Amanoslar , 1,670 personnel and 96 operational teams consisting of Gendarmerie Commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Police Special Operations (PÖH) and security village guard teams took part to eliminate the insurgents in the Mount Amanos area.{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1358730062351249408 |date=8 February 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla Hatay, Osmaniye ve Gaziantep illerinde EREN-8 AMANOSLAR Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/XVIsXauspF |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208105119/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1358730062351249408 |archive-date=8 February 2021 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Hatay, Osmaniye, Gaziantep İllerinde Eren-8 Amanoslar Operasyonu Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/hatay-osmaniye-gaziantep-illerinde-eren-8-amanoslar-operasyonu-baslatildi|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}} - On 10 February 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in the province of Hakkâri Province.
Eren-9 Kazan Han Yaylasi , 2,218 personnel and 129 operational teams consisting of Gendarmerie Commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Police Special Operations (PÖH) and security village guard teams took part to eliminate the insurgents in the Mount Amanos area.{{Cite web|title=Hakkari İlinde Eren-9 Kazan-Han Yaylası Operasyonu|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/hakkari-ilinde-eren-9-kazan-han-yaylasi-operasyonu|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1359487377161478145 |date=10 February 2021 |title=Bölücü terör örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla Hakkari ilinde EREN-9 KAZAN-HAN YAYLASI Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/kFxTx4tbJn |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210210130142/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1359487377161478145 |archive-date=10 February 2021 |url-status=live}} - On 12 February 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in the Şırnak-Siirt Provinces
Eren-10 Gabar , 1,073 personnel and 68 operational teams consisting of Gendarmerie Commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Police Special Operations (PÖH) and security village guard teams took part to eliminate the insurgents in the Mount Gabar area. - On 14 February 2021, Turkish Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar stated that 13 soldiers and police officers, who had been held hostage by the PKK since 2015 and 2016, were executed during an attempted rescue operation in northern Iraq.{{cite news|title=Turkey says militants executed 13, including soldiers, police, in Iraq|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-iraq-security/turkey-says-finds-bodies-of-13-killed-by-militants-in-iraq-idUSKBN2AE050|access-date=15 February 2021|website=Reuters|date=15 February 2021}} Erdoğan blamed the United States and Kurdish politicians for the failed operation,{{Cite news|last=Gall|first=Carlotta|date=2021-02-15|title=Deaths of Soldiers and Policemen Held by Kurdish Guerrillas Roil Turkish Politics|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/15/world/middleeast/turkey-soldiers-deaths-kurdish-guerrillas.html|access-date=2021-02-16|issn=0362-4331}} while opposition leader Kılıçdaroğlu accused Erdoğan of being responsible for the deaths.{{Cite web|title=CHP leader says Erdoğan is responsible for the deaths of 13 security personnel in Iraq|url=https://www.bianet.org/english/politics/239414-chp-leader-says-erdogan-is-responsible-for-the-deaths-of-13-security-personnel-in-iraq|access-date=2021-02-16|website=Bianet - Bagimsiz Iletisim Agi}} The Turkish Human Rights Association, who previously facilitated the return of hostages from the PKK, stated their offers to help negotiate were rejected by state officials.{{Cite web|last=Evin|first=Mehveş|date=2021-02-26|title=The killing of captives in Garê and its aftermath|url=https://www.duvarenglish.com/the-killing-of-captives-in-gare-and-its-aftermath-article-56414|access-date=2021-03-02|website=Duvar English|language=en}}
- The PKK originally claimed the hostages were killed by Turkish airstrikes.{{Cite web|title=HSM: İşgalci Türk devleti esirleri imha etmek için saldırdı|url=https://anfturkce.com/kurdIstan/hsm-Isgalci-turk-devleti-esirleri-imha-etmek-icin-saldirdi-152227|access-date=2021-03-02|website=ANF News|language=tr}} While the United States originally appeared ambiguous about who it believed bore responsibility for the deaths, Secretary of State Antony Blinken later stated that Washington view the PKK responsible.{{Cite web|last=Zaman|first=Amberin|date=2021-02-15|title=Blinken walks back State Department ambiguity over Turkish hostages killed in Iraq|url=https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2021/02/blinken-state-department-turkey-hostages-pkk-killed-iraq.html|access-date=2021-03-01|website=Al-Monitor|language=en}} The father of one deceased hostage Semih Özbey was summoned to identify his son, and according to the Turkish Human Rights Association president, stated he saw a bullet wound in his son's head. In an interview with Sözcü, the father noted he believed the hostages were executed, but was only shown a picture of his son's face and was refused seeing his body. He added that during his sons imprisonment he spoke repeatedly to both HDP MPs and Erdoğan to no avail.{{Cite web|last=Saymaz|first=İsmail|date=16 February 2021|title=Şehidin babası: Bu insanlık dışı bir şey|url=https://www.sozcu.com.tr/2021/yazarlar/ismail-saymaz/sehidin-babasi-bu-insanlik-disi-bir-sey-6261836/|access-date=1 March 2021|website=Sözcü}} The PKK later revised their claim to say that Turkey used poison gas which resulted in the captives deaths, who were then "executed so that the blame could be put on us".{{Cite web|title=Footage and accounts of guerrillas: What happened in Gare?|url=https://anfenglish.com/features/footage-and-accounts-of-guerrillas-what-happened-in-gare-50166|access-date=2021-04-02|website=ANF News|language=en}}
- On 24 February 2021, the Ministry of Interior announced that the continuation of Eren Operations is carried out in the Bitlis Siirt Provinces
Eren-11 Sehi Frrest , 781 personnel and 51 operational teams consisting of Gendarmerie Commando, Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH), Police Special Operations (PÖH) and security village guard teams took part to eliminate the insurgents in the forest Sehi area.{{Cite web|title=Bitlis ve Siirt İllerinde Eren-11 Sehi Ormanları Operasyonu Başlatıldı|url=https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/bitlis-ve-siirt-illerinde-eren-11-sehi-ormanlari-operasyonu-baslatildi|access-date=2021-04-07|website=www.icisleri.gov.tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1364604727904862209 |date=24 February 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla Bitlis ve Siirt İllerinde "EREN-11 SEHİ ORMANLARI" Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/bN2b8VPSmA |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224155553/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1364604727904862209 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |url-status=live}}
=March=
- On 30 March 2021 The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that the 'Eren-12 Güleşli' operation, in which 317 personnel consisting of Gendarmerie Special Operations, Police Special Operations and Village Security Guard teams took part, started in order to neutralize the insurgents staying in the Şırnak and Siirt area.{{cite tweet |author=Yeni Şafak |author-link=Yeni Şafak |user=yenisafak |number=1376830875544006660 |date=30 March 2021 |title=İçişleri Bakanlığı, Şırnak ve Siirt'te barınan teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek amacıyla Jandarma Özel Harekat, Polis Özel Harekat ve Güvenlik Korucu timlerinden oluşan bin 317 personelin görev aldığı 'Eren-12 Güleşli' operasyonunun başladığını açıkladı. |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210330093733/https://twitter.com/yenisafak/status/1376830875544006660 |archive-date=30 March 2021 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-30|title="EREN-12 GÜLEŞLİ" Operasyonu başlatıldı!|url=https://www.medyaege.com.tr/eren-12-gulesli-operasyonu-baslatildi-166942h.htm|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Medya Ege|language=tr}}{{Cite web|last=iha.com.tr|title=İçişleri Bakanlığınca Şırnak ve Siirt'te 'Eren-12 Güleşli' operasyonu başlatıldı|url=https://www.iha.com.tr/video-icisleri-bakanliginca-sirnak-ve-siirtte-eren-12-gulesli-operasyonu-baslatildi-40319/|access-date=2021-04-07|website=İhlas Haber Ajansı|language=tr}}{{cite tweet |author=T.C. Jandarma Gn. K |user=jandarma |number=1376804066391638017 |date=30 March 2021 |title=Bölücü Terör Örgütünü tamamen ülke gündeminden çıkarmak ve bölgede barındığı değerlendirilen teröristleri etkisiz hale getirmek maksadıyla Şırnak ve Siirt illerinde "EREN-12 GÜLEŞLİ" Operasyonu başlatılmıştır.🇹🇷 https://t.co/Nrtzm9lThc |language=tr |access-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406075353/https://twitter.com/jandarma/status/1376804066391638017 |archive-date=6 April 2021 |url-status=live}}
=April=
- On 23 April 2021, Turkey launched a ground, air operation in northern Iraq. Targets located in Qandil, Zap, Gara and Avaşin-Basyan were destroyed by the Turkish Air Force and artillery tasked by the Turkish Army.{{Cite web|title=Turkey launches ground, air operation in northern Iraq - Turkey News|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-launches-ground-air-operation-in-northern-iraq-164197|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=24 April 2021 |language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Turkish forces attack PKK targets in northern Iraq|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/4/25/turkish-forces-hit-pkk-in-northern-iraq|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}
= May =
- On 3 May 2021, Turkish Ministry of Defence announced the neutralization of 7 PKK militants. This has made the total loss of PKK throughout the Operation Claw-Lightning and Claw-Thunderbolt 53. According to the Turkish officials sixteen weapons and 3,000 ammunition have also been confiscated from the PKK militants and depots.{{Cite web|date=2021-05-03|title=Senior PKK terrorist, 52 others killed in northern Iraq: Akar|url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/war-on-terror/senior-pkk-terrorist-52-others-killed-in-northern-iraq-akar|access-date=2021-05-03|website=Daily Sabah|language=en-US}}
- On 12 May 2021, Turkish Ministry of Defence announced the neutralization of 5 PKK militants during an air strike.{{Cite web|title=Turkey 'neutralizes' 5 PKK terrorists in northern Iraq air strike - Turkey News|url=https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-neutralizes-5-pkk-terrorists-in-northern-iraq-air-strike-164657|access-date=2021-05-13|website=Hürriyet Daily News|date=12 May 2021 |language=en}}
= September =
On September 11, a Turkish soldier was killed and another was injured during a PKK attack on a Turkish military vehicle in the 'Operation Pence-Simsek' zone.{{cite web|url=https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/one-turkish-soldier-killed-one-wounded-in-northern-iraq-terror-attack-3580142|title=One Turkish soldier killed, one wounded in northern Iraq terror attack|work=YeniSafak.com}}
2022 timeline
= April =
- On 17 April, Turkey Launches military Operation Claw-Lock against Kurdistan Workers' Party in Northern Iraq.{{Cite web |title=Turkey begins large-scale operation in northern Iraq against Kurdish militants |url=https://www.arabnews.com/node/2065816/amp |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=Arab News |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=Turkey Launches New Offensive Against Kurdish Rebels in Iraq |url=https://www.thedefensepost.com/2022/04/18/turkey-offensive-kurdish-rebels/ |access-date=2022-04-23 |website=The Defense Post |language=en-US}}
=== May ===
- On 12 May, in response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Finnish president Sauli Niinistö and prime minister Sanna Marin announced in a joint press conference that they were in favour of seeking NATO membership "without delay".{{Cite news|date=2022-05-12|title=Finland Nato: Russia threatens to retaliate over membership move|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61420185 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-05-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220712000211/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61420185 |archive-date=12 July 2022}}
- On 16 May, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin underlined that they are always ready for dialogue with Turkey regarding NATO membership and that the problem will be resolved as soon as possible.{{Cite news|date=2022-05-17|title=Marin puzzled by Turkey's turn-about on Finnish and Swedish Nato bids|language=en-GB|work=Helsinki Times|url=https://www.helsinkitimes.fi/finland/finland-news/politics/21547-marin-puzzled-by-turkey-s-turn-about-on-finnish-and-swedish-nato-bids.html}}
- On 17 May, Sweden's foreign minister Ann Linde signed Sweden's application to join NATO, following Finland's earlier intention to join NATO. On 18 May 2022, both countries formally applied to join NATO. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan voiced his opposition to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, saying that it would be "impossible" for Turkey to support their application while the two countries allow groups which Turkey classifies as terrorist organizations, including the Kurdish militant groups Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Democratic Union Party (Syria) (PYD) and People's Defense Units (YPG) and the supporters of Fethullah Gülen, a US-based Muslim cleric accused by Turkey of orchestrating a failed 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt, to operate on their territory.{{ cite news | url = https://yle.fi/news/3-12446441 | title = It's official: Finland to apply for Nato membership | work = Yle News | date = 15 May 2022 | access-date = 15 May 2022 }}{{cite news |date=13 May 2022 |title=Erdogan says Turkey not supportive of Finland, Sweden joining NATO |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/erdogan-says-turkey-not-positive-finland-sweden-joining-nato-2022-05-13/}}{{Cite web |date=2022-05-20 |title=Sweden blasts Turkish 'disinformation' as Erdoğan delays NATO accession |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/sweden-turkey-nato-erdogan-disinformation/ |access-date=2022-05-20 |website=POLITICO}}
- On 21 May, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson made a statement after their telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, stating that Finland and Sweden are always ready to engage in dialogue with Turkey on NATO membership, that the issue should be resolved as soon as possible and that they have always condemned terrorism, and that Finland and Sweden take terrorism seriously.{{Cite news|date=2022-05-21|title=Niinistö calls Erdogan for "open and direct" Nato discussion|language=en-GB|work=YLE|url=https://yle.fi/a/3-12456286}}{{Cite news|date=2022-05-22|title=İsveç Başbakanı, Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan ile görüşmesini değerlendirdi: İlişkilerimizi güçlendirmeyi dört gözle bekliyoruz|language=tr-TR|work=Independent Türkçe|url=https://www.indyturk.com/node/512431/d%C3%BCnya/i%CC%87sve%C3%A7-ba%C5%9Fbakan%C4%B1-cumhurba%C5%9Fkan%C4%B1-erdo%C4%9Fan-ile-g%C3%B6r%C3%BC%C5%9Fmesini-de%C4%9Ferlendirdi}}
= June =
- On 12 June, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the Turkish government has "legitimate concerns" over agreeing to admit Sweden and Finland into NATO. “These are legitimate concerns, this is about terrorism, it's about weapons exports,” said Stoltenberg alongside Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. “We have to remember and understand that no NATO ally has suffered more terrorist attacks than Turkey.”
- On 28 June, the first day of the 2022 NATO summit in Madrid, the Turkish delegation dropped their opposition to Finland and Sweden's NATO membership applications and signed a tripartite memorandum addressing Turkey's concerns regarding arms exports and the Kurdish–Turkish conflict.{{cite news |title=NATO deal with Sweden and Finland: Ankara celebrates 'national victory,' worries mount in Stockholm |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/06/29/nato-deal-with-sweden-and-finland-ankara-celebrates-national-victory-worries-mount-in-stockholm_5988325_4.html |work=Le Monde |date=29 June 2022 |access-date=10 July 2022 |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629153409/https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/06/29/nato-deal-with-sweden-and-finland-ankara-celebrates-national-victory-worries-mount-in-stockholm_5988325_4.html |url-status=live }}
- On 30 June, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Sweden had made a promise to extradite to Turkey what he characterised as "73 terrorists". Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson refused to deny Turkey's claim that Sweden had promised to deport Turkish political refugees and opponents wanted by Erdoğan's government.{{cite news |title=Sweden refuses to deny deportations to Turkey as part of NATO deal |url=https://www.thelocal.se/20220703/sweden-refuses-to-deny-deportations-to-turkey-part-of-nato-deal/ |work=The Local |date=3 July 2022 |access-date=10 July 2022 |archive-date=3 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220703123543/https://www.thelocal.se/20220703/sweden-refuses-to-deny-deportations-to-turkey-part-of-nato-deal/ |url-status=live }}
2023 timeline
= February =
- On 1 February, attackers fired eight rockets at a Turkish military base in northern Iraq, with two of them landing inside.{{Cite news |date=2023-02-01 |title=Eight rockets fired at Turkish base in Iraq - Kurdish security group |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/eight-rockets-fired-turkish-base-iraq-kurdish-security-group-2023-02-01/ |access-date=2023-12-12}}
= April =
- On 7 April, Iraq demanded an apology from Turkey after an apparent drone strike near an airport in Sulaymaniyah. US military officials claimed the strike was aimed at a convoy carrying American personnel. No casualties were reported from the incident.{{Cite web |last=Mostafa |first=Amr |date=2023-04-08 |title=Iraq warns Turkey after attack on airport in Sulaymaniyah |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/mena/2023/04/08/iraq-warns-turkey-after-attack-on-airport-in-sulaymaniyah/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=The National |language=en}}
- On 15 April, two PKK fighters were killed and two others were wounded when a Turkish drone struck their vehicle near the Iranian border.{{Cite news |date=16 April 2023 |title=Two killed, two others injured in Iraqi Kurdistan in strikes blamed on Turkey |work=Al Arabiya News |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/amp/News/middle-east/2023/04/16/Two-killed-two-others-injured-in-Iraqi-Kurdistan-in-strikes-blamed-on-Turkey |access-date=12 December 2023}}
= July =
- On 9 July, two Turkish soldiers were killed by PKK militants in northern Iraq.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-11 |title=Five killed in Kurdish attack on northern Syria town |url=https://arab.news/4rcts |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Arab News |language=en}}
- On 10 July, Kurdish militants attacked Turkish-backed fighters south of Afrin, killing five of them.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-10 |title=Syrian Kurdish fighters kill at least 5 Turkey-backed gunmen in nighttime attack, activists say |url=https://apnews.com/article/syria-kurdish-fighters-turkey-attack-8a51fd6982c48f19453087a828c7d6de |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}
- On 29 July, two Turkish airstrikes killed eight Kurdish militants in Iraq and Syria.{{Cite web |date=2023-07-29 |title=Turkish strikes kill 8 Kurdish fighters |url=https://arab.news/megmb |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Arab News |language=en}}
= August =
- On 10 August, Turkey’s defense ministry announced that six Turkish soldiers were killed by Kurdish militants in fighting that started the previous day. Turkey responded with airstrikes that killed four PKK members.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-10 |title=At least 6 Turkish soldiers killed in attacks by Kurdish fighters in northern Iraq, Ankara says |url=https://apnews.com/article/turkey-iraq-soldiers-killed-pkk-erdogan-064f4a752f35168bccecbebf8ed508ff |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}
- On 11 August, a Turkish drone strike in northern Iraq killed three PKK members, including a senior official.{{Cite web |title=Turkish Drone Strike Kills Three Kurdish Rebels, Iraqi Kurds Say |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkish-drone-strike-kills-three-kurdish-rebels-iraqi-kurds-say/7221783.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=VOA News}}
- On 24 August, Turkish drone attacks in northern Iraq killed seven people, including a PKK official.{{Cite web |title=Turkish attacks kill 7 PKK members in Iraq as delegation visits KRG |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/24/turkish-attack-kills-3-pkk-members-in-iraq-as-delegation-visits-krg |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}
= September =
- On 15 September, two fighters of the Syrian Democratic Forces were killed in a Turkish drone strike and two others were wounded.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-16 |title=Two women fighters killed in Turkish drone strike: Syria Kurds |url=https://arab.news/pmczn |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Arab News |language=en}}
- On 16 September, a drone fired from the Turkish border struck a military airport in Arbid, killing three members of Iraq’s counter-terrorism service and wounding three others.{{Cite news |date=2023-09-18 |title=Three killed in attack on small airport in Iraq's Kurdistan -statement |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/six-people-killed-attack-arbid-airport-near-iraqis-sulaymaniyah-sources-2023-09-18/ |access-date=2023-12-12}}
- On 18 September, the Syrian Democratic Forces carried out an attack on a Turkish-backed opposition group in northern Syria, killing 13 militants.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-18 |title=Attack on Turkish-backed opposition fighters in Syria kills 13 of the militants, activists say |url=https://apnews.com/article/shelling-syria-clashes-northwest-kurds-b0f9f210dbe11f1ef558210c17dfd39c |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=AP News |language=en}}
= October =
- On 1 October, a PKK attacker blew himself up outside the Ministry of the Interior in Ankara, while a second attacker was killed by police.{{cite news |title=Turkey strikes Kurdish rebels after Ankara blast |work=BBC News |date=October 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-66975452 |access-date=2 October 2023}} Two police officers were injured during the incident. In response Turkey carried out air strikes against 20 Kurdish rebel targets in northern Iraq.
- On October 3, police raids took place in 64 provinces of Turkey. According to Minister of the Interior Ali Yerlikaya's reports, 928 people were detained, of which at least 90 are allegedly associated with the PKK.{{cite web |title= IN THE OPERATIONS ORGANIZED IN 64 PROVINCES WITHIN THE SCOPE OF "HEROES OPERATIONS" AGAINST PERSONS CARRYING UNLICENSED WEAPONS AND ARMS SMUGGLERS|url=https://twitter.com/AliYerlikaya/status/1709132360157925456 |website=Twitter |access-date=3 October 2023}}{{cite web |title=Turkey detains 90 people over suspected PKK links after Ankara bomb attack |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/3/turkey-detains-dozens-after-ankara-bomb-attack |website=Aljazeera |access-date=3 October 2023}}
- On 5 October, at least 11 people were killed in Turkish airstrikes in Kurdish-controlled areas in northern Syria, including five civilians.{{Cite web |last=Tuysuz |first=Jomana Karadsheh, Hamdi Alkhshali, Gul |date=2023-10-06 |title=Turkish airstrikes kill at least 11 in northern Syria, Kurdish security forces say |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/middleeast/turkey-airstrikes-kurdish-syria-intl/index.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=CNN |language=en}}
- On 7 October, Turkish forces killed 58 Kurdish militants in overnight attacks.{{Cite web |title=Turkey Says It Killed 58 Kurdish Militants in Northern Syria |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/turkey-says-it-killed-58-kurdish-militants-in-northern-syria/7301107.html |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=VOA News}}
- On 25 October, ten PKK militants were killed by Turkish drone strikes in northern Iraq.{{Cite news |date=26 October 2023 |title=Turkey launches drone attack on PKK members in northern Iraq, killing 10 |work=Al Arabiya News |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/amp/News/middle-east/2023/10/26/Turkey-launches-drone-attack-on-PKK-members-in-northern-Iraq-killing-10 |access-date=12 December 2023}}
= November =
- On 4 November, Turkish airstrikes on Kurdish military infrastructure killed 15 militants.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-04 |title=Turkish air strikes hit 15 Kurdish militant targets in northern Iraq -ministry |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkish-air-strikes-hit-15-kurdish-militant-targets-northern-iraq-ministry-2023-11-04/ |access-date=2023-12-12}}
- On 17 November, Turkey’s defense ministry announced that it carried out airstrikes against Kurdish militants in northern Iraq, killing 13 of them.{{Cite news |date=2023-11-17 |title=Turkish air strikes kill 13 Kurdish militants in northern Iraq -ministry |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/turkish-air-strikes-kill-13-kurdish-militants-northern-iraq-ministry-2023-11-17/ |access-date=2023-12-12}}
= December =
- 11 December
- A mine planted by the PKK exploded on a road in Aleppo’s Manbij District, killing two agricultural workers and injuring 19 civilians.{{Cite web |title=2 civilians killed by mine planted by YPG/PKK terrorists in northern Syria |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkiye/2-civilians-killed-by-mine-planted-by-ypg-pkk-terrorists-in-northern-syria/3079741 |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=www.aa.com.tr}}
- Unidentified gunmen killed Ahmet Gün, an executive of the Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party, and injured his son in Şırnak.{{Cite web |last=SCF |date=2023-12-11 |title=Local Kurdish politician in SE Turkey killed in attack |url=https://stockholmcf.org/local-kurdish-politician-in-se-turkey-killed-in-attack/ |access-date=2023-12-12 |website=Stockholm Center for Freedom |language=en-US}}
- On 22 December, a PKK infiltration attempt of 1st Hakkari Mountain Commando Brigade base left six dead and six wounded Turkish soldiers.{{cite news |title=Başın sağolsun Türkiye: 6 askerimiz şehit oldu |url=https://www.pusulagazetesi.com.tr/basin-sagolsun-turkiye-6-askerimiz-sehit-oldu |access-date=22 December 2023 |work=Zonguldak Pusula Son Dakika Haberleri |language=tr}}
- 23 December
- 5 PKK militants were killed by Turkish commandos while preparing for an attack in Euphrates Shield region.{{Cite news |title=MSB duyurdu! Fırat Kalkanı bölgesinde teröristlere darbe: 5 PKK'lı daha etkisiz hale getirildi |language=tr |work=A Haber |url=https://www.ahaber.com.tr/gundem/2023/12/23/msb-duyurdu-firat-kalkani-bolgesinde-teroristlere-darbe-5-pkkli-daha-etkisiz-hale-getirildi/amp |access-date=23 December 2023}}
- Six Turkish soldiers were killed in clashes with Kurdish militants.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Turkey steps up airstrikes against Kurdish groups in Syria and Iraq after 12 soldiers were killed |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/turkey-steps-airstrikes-kurdish-groups-syria-iraq-after-105910156 |access-date=2023-12-25 |website=ABC News |language=en}}
- 25 December
- The Turkish defense ministry said it killed at least 26 Kurdish militants throughout Iraq and Syria during an escalation of airstrikes in retaliation for the deaths of 12 Turkish soldiers during the weekend.
- At least eight civilians were killed by Turkish airstrikes in northeastern Syria.
2024 timeline
= January =
- 13 January
- 9 Turkish soldiers were killed and 8 wounded after infiltration attempt to base in Zab by PKK militants.{{cite news |title=9 Turkish soldiers killed in clashes with Kurds in Iraq - Ankara |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/levant-turkey/1705127637-5-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-clashes-with-kurds-in-iraq-ankara |access-date=14 January 2024 |work=I24news |date=13 January 2024 |language=en}}
= February =
- On 25 February, a Turkish military drone strike killed 4 PKK militants in Gara, Northern Iraq.{{Cite news |title=MSB duyurdu! Gara'ya hava harekatı... 4 PKK'lı etkisiz'LEŞ'tirildi |url=https://www.takvim.com.tr/guncel/2024/02/25/msb-duyurdu-garaya-hava-harekati-4-pkkli-etkisizlestirildi |access-date=25 February 2024 |work=Takvim Gazetesi |language=tr}}
- On February 28, three members of the Christian Syriac police were killed and others were wounded by Turkish drone strikes near Malikiyah, Syria.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-28 |title=Turkish drones kill 3 in an attack on a local Christian militia in northeastern Syria, officials say |url=https://apnews.com/article/syria-turkey-strikes-pkk-suturo-christian-2e9b581e3cc9053bb45e500dd42e4f5a |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=AP News |language=en}}
= March =
- On 16 March, 2 PKK militants were killed in northern Iraq.{{Cite news |date= |title=Irak'ın kuzeyinde 2 PKK'lı terörist etkisiz hale getirildi |url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/gundem/irakin-kuzeyinde-2-pkkli-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-844568.html |access-date=16 March 2024 |work=TRT Haber |language=tr}}
- 19 March:
- A Turkish soldier was killed and four were wounded in a PKK attack in Iraq.{{Cite web |title=Turkey strikes PKK positions in Iraq after soldier killed |url=https://www.newarab.com/news/turkey-strikes-pkk-positions-iraq-after-soldier-killed?amp=1 |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=New Arab |language=en}}
- The Turkish Air Force reportedly destroyed 27 PKK targets in Metina, Zap, Hakurk, Gara and Qandil regions, Iraq.
- On 25 March, Turkish airstrikes on Northern Iraq killed 2 PKK militants.{{Cite news |title=Irak'ın kuzeyinde 2 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi |url=https://www.trthaber.com/haber/turkiye/irakin-kuzeyinde-2-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-846647.html |access-date=25 March 2024 |work=TRT Haber |language=tr}}
= April =
- On 2 April, a PKK commander was killed in an alleged Turkish drone strike in northern Iraq.{{Cite web |title=PKK Commander Killed In Iraq Strike Blamed On Turkey |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/pkk-commander-killed-in-iraq-strike-blamed-on-turkey-67c7b080 |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Barron's |language=en-US}}
- On 24 April, Turkish airstrikes on Northern Iraq killed 6 PKK militants.{{Cite news |date= |title=Irak'ın kuzeyine hava harekatı: 6 terörist etkisiz hale getirildi |url=https://www.superhaber.com/irakin-kuzeyine-hava-harekati-6-terorist-etkisiz-hale-getirildi-haber-490709 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=Super Haber |language=tr}}
= May =
- On 31 May, four SDF fighters were killed and 11 civilians were wounded by Turkish drone strikes around Qamishli, Syria.{{Cite news |date=1 June 2024 |title=Turkish drone strikes in Syria kill 4 U.S.-backed fighters, wound 11 civilians, Kurdish group says |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/turkish-drone-strikes-in-syria-kill-4-u-s-backed-fighters-wound-11-civilians-kurdish-group-says-11717192883650.html |access-date=3 June 2024 |work=mint}}
= June =
- On 2 June, the Turkish Defence Ministry said that 14 PKK and two PKK/YPG militants were killed in operations in Syria and Iraq.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-02 |title=Turkish forces eliminate 16 PKK/YPG terrorists in Iraq, Syria |url=https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/war-on-terror/turkish-forces-eliminate-16-pkkypg-terrorists-in-iraq-syria |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Daily Sabah}}
- On 3 June, Turkish authorities arrested the mayor of Hakkari over alleged PKK ties.{{Cite news |date=3 June 2024 |title=Turkey arrests pro-Kurdish mayor two months after election |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/amp/News/middle-east/2024/06/03/turkey-arrests-pro-kurdish-mayor-two-months-after-election |access-date=3 June 2024 |work=Al Arabiya}}
= July =
- On 18 July, a civilian was killed in a bombing by Turkish aircraft in the village of Khastuzhuri in the Shiladze.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-18 |title=بەهۆی بۆردومانەکانی تورکیا کەسێک گیانی لەدەست دا |url=https://ku.964media.com/212925/ |access-date=2024-07-27 |website=+964}}
= October =
- On 23 October, the Turkish air force destroyed 32 PKK targets in northern Syria and Iraq in response to a deadly attack on Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ) earlier that day.{{cite news|last=Ruhiyyih Ewing |first=Giselle |title=Turkey strikes PKK forces in Syria, Iraq after lethal Ankara attack |date=23 October 2024 |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-pkk-forces-syria-iraq-ankara-attack/ |website=Politico |access-date=24 October 2024}}
= November =
- On 30 November, the Operation Dawn of Freedom began.
2025 timeline
= January =
February
On 17 February, a PKK militant was killed.{{cite web|url=https://hawarnews.com/tr/|title= HPG 1 üyemiz öldü|work=Hawar News Agency|date= 17 February 2025}}
On 1 March, the PKK declared a ceasefire in its conflict against Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2025/03/01/nx-s1-5314321/pkk-kurdish-ceasefire-turkey|title= Kurdish militant group PKK declares ceasefire after decades of conflict with Turkey|website= NPR|date= 1 March 2025}}
On 12 May 2025, PKK disbanded the group and announced to lay down arms after a decades long conflict.
Impact
=Civilian impact=
File:Cizre çatışmaları sırasında hasar gören bina ve bir Cizreli, 2 Mart 2016.jpg ruins in March 2016]]
File:London 2018 Kurdish Protest, Afrin Kurd Turkey Middle East.jpg
According to Turkish Human Rights Foundation, there have been 52 intermittent curfews in seven predominantly Kurdish towns where 1.3 million people live, sometimes lasting as long as 14 days. The organization puts the civilian death toll since the summer of 2015 at 124.{{cite web|title = Turkey's unwinnable war|url = http://www.politico.eu/article/turkey-unwinnable-war-pkk-protests-media-erdogan-kurds-nato/|website = POLITICO|date = 5 January 2016|access-date = 2016-01-05|language = en-US}} The situation in the South-East has little coverage in the Turkish media. The authorities have enforced a blockade over the region and have shut down both cell phone coverage and the internet. Hundreds of houses, dozens of schools and official buildings have been damaged by artillery and gun fire from militants,{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN0V00QW|title=Five children hurt in school attack in southeast Turkey blamed on PKK|author=Reuters Editorial|date=22 January 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=28 January 2016}} and civilians have been reportedly fired at. Turkish Forces have used measures like tank fire to clear out bomb-trapped barricades which lead to damage of residential buildings.{{cite web|url=https://www.demokrathaber.org/cizrede-tank-atislari-evleri-kullanilamaz-hale-getirdi|title=DEMOKRAT HABER - Türkiye ve Dünya'dan Güncel Haberler|author=Demokrat Haber|work=Demokrat Haber|access-date=28 January 2016}} It is estimated that more than 200,000 people have been displaced. According to the HRW, civilian death toll is around 100. Diyarbakir branch of the Human Rights Association said Turkish Armed Forces and Gendarmerie was targeting civilians under the pretext of fighting terrorism.{{cite web|title = Does Erdogan Intend to Eliminate Kurds in Turkey?|url = http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2016/01/05/does-erdogan-intend-to-eliminate-kurds-in-turkey/|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160106172316/http://www.internationalpolicydigest.org/2016/01/05/does-erdogan-intend-to-eliminate-kurds-in-turkey/|url-status = usurped|archive-date = 6 January 2016|website = International Policy Digest|access-date = 2016-01-05}} Many residents in the southeastern cities have been trapped without food or electricity as clashes between Kurdish militants and Turkish security forces have intensified. In December 2015, town of Cizre, was under curfew for more than two weeks, with mounting civilian casualties. According to a teacher from the district of Silopi, some residential buildings were damaged by tank shells.{{Cite news|title = Turkey's Campaign Against Kurdish Militants Takes Toll on Civilians|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/31/world/europe/turkey-kurds-pkk.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2015-12-30|access-date = 2016-01-05|issn = 0362-4331|first = Ceylan|last = Yeginsu}}
=Internal reactions=
==Academics petition==
{{main|Academics for Peace}}
On 11 January 2016, more than 1000 scholars and academics from 90 Turkish Universities and abroad signed a petition entitled "We won't be a party to this crime,"{{cite web|title = Turkey Arrests 12 Academics For Publicly Opposing Anti-Kurdish Operations|url = http://europe.newsweek.com/turkey-arrests-12-academics-signing-declaration-against-anti-kurdish-416076|website = Newsweek|date = 15 January 2016|access-date = 2016-01-15}} calling for an end to the government's crackdown on the Kurdish activists and politicians, and a resumption of the peace process. They also criticized the use of tanks in urban centers calling it a deliberate massacre of Kurdish people.{{cite web|title = Turkish Academics Call for End to Ankara's PKK Crackdown|url = https://www.voanews.com/a/turkish-academics-call-for-end-of-ankara-pkk-crackdown/3140312.html|website = VOA| date=11 January 2016 |access-date = 2016-01-15}} On 12 January, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sharply criticized the dissident academics which included David Harvey, Immanuel Wallerstein, Slavoj Žižek and Noam Chomsky and said they were from the fifth column of foreign powers.{{cite web|title = Erdoğan accuses academics of being fifth column|url = http://www.todayszaman.com/national_erdogan-accuses-academics-of-being-fifth-column_409479.html|website = TodaysZaman|access-date = 2016-01-15|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160115010928/http://www.todayszaman.com/national_erdogan-accuses-academics-of-being-fifth-column_409479.html|archive-date = 2016-01-15}} He also called on the Turkish judiciary to move against the "treachery". All 1,228 Turkish signatories were subsequently placed under investigation. Erdoğan invited Chomsky to visit the area in a televised speech to a conference of Turkish ambassadors in Ankara. However Chomsky rejected the offer and said: "If I decide to go to Turkey, it will not be on his invitation, but as frequently before at the invitation of the many courageous dissidents, including Kurds who have been under severe attack for many years." He also said Erdoğan was aiding ISIS and the al-Nusra Front.{{Cite news|title = Chomsky hits back at Erdoğan, accusing him of double standards on terrorism|url = https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/jan/14/chomsky-hits-back-erdogan-double-standards-terrorism-bomb-istanbul|newspaper = The Guardian|date = 2016-01-14|access-date = 2016-01-15|issn = 0261-3077|language = en-GB|first = Matthew|last = Weaver}} On 14 January, the Düzce University in northwest Turkey dismissed an associate sociology professor after she signed the declaration and on 15 January Erdoğan attacked the signatories again, said they were supporting the Kurdish militants and said " having a PhD title doesn't necessarily make you an intellectual. These are people in the dark. They are cruel and despicable."{{cite web|title = Turkey detains academics over 'pro-Kurdish' petition|url = https://news.yahoo.com/turkey-detains-21-academics-over-pro-kurdish-petition-080345800.html|website = Yahoo News|access-date = 2016-01-15}} That same day, Turkish authorities arrested 14 signatories, including 12 academics from Kocaeli University, said they were spreading "terrorism propaganda" and of insulting the state.{{Cite news|title = Turkey Detains Academics Who Signed Petition Defending Kurds|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/16/world/europe/turkey-kurds.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = 2016-01-15|access-date = 2016-01-15|issn = 0362-4331|first = Ceylan|last = Yeginsu}} U.S. Ambassador John Bass released a statement expressing his concern regarding the arrests. He also said "Expressions of concern about violence do not equal support for terrorism. Criticism of government does not equal treason."{{Cite news|title = Turkey detains 14 academics accused of signing 'peace declaration': local media|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-kurds-idUSKCN0UT0RF|newspaper = Reuters|date = 2016-01-15|access-date = 2016-01-15}} On 16 January, main opposition leader Kemal Killicdaroglu sharply criticized Erdoğan over detention of dissident academics and called him a dictator. Two days later, lawyers for Turkish President filed a lawsuit against him and a prosecutor from the Ankara prosecutors' office also launched an investigation into his comments on charges of "openly insulting the president", a crime punishable by up to four years in jail.{{Cite news|title = Erdogan sues Turkey's main opposition leader over dictator remark|url = https://www.reuters.com/article/us-turkey-president-idUSKCN0UW1FR|newspaper = Reuters|date = 2016-01-18|access-date = 2016-01-19}}{{cite news|title = The Kurdish teenagers fighting - and dying - in urban clashes with Turkish security forces|url = https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/turkey-in-crisis-the-kurdish-teenagers-fighting-and-dying-in-urban-clashes-with-security-forces-a6820201.html|website = The Independent|access-date = 2016-01-19|language = en-GB}}
== Resignation of UNESCO Ambassador ==
On 25 May 2016, Turkish author and poet Zülfü Livaneli resigned as Turkey's only UNESCO goodwill ambassador. In his post on Twitter, he said "UNESCO's silence on human rights violations and lack of fundamental freedoms." and he also refused to take part in the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul. He highlighted destruction of the historical Sur district of Diyarbakir as his main reason for resignation.{{cite web|url=http://www.accuracy.org/release/turkeys-hidden-war-against-the-kurds/|title=Turkey's Hidden War Against the Kurds|date=26 May 2016|website=Institute for Public Accuracy|access-date=27 May 2016}}
{{Blockquote|text=When [Kurdish region] Sur's historical heritage is being destroyed, I can't with a straight face urge people to protect the historical heritage of Istanbul}}
= Protests in New York =
On 31 March 2016, during a public speech by Erdoğan at the Brookings Institution, his supporters and opponents clashed outside the venue. His security guards assaulted Brooking's employees and ordered a well-known Turkish journalist, Amberin Zaman, to leave, calling her a "P.K.K. whore". Security staff members had to stop the guards from removing other journalists from inside the auditorium. Some Turkish guards were restrained by police officers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/29/magazine/behind-the-barricades-of-turkeys-hidden-war.html?_r=1|title=Behind the Barricades of Turkey's Hidden War|last=Worth|first=Robert F.|date=24 May 2016|work=New York Times|access-date=25 May 2016}} National Press Club released a statement and expressed alarm at the events.{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/03/31/turkeys-erdogan-came-to-washington-and-things-got-a-bit-crazy/?version=meter+at+null&module=meter-Links&pgtype=article&contentId=&mediaId=&referrer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.accuracy.org%2Frelease%2Fturkeys-hidden-war-against-the-kurds%2F&priority=true&action=click&contentCollection=meter-links-click|title=Turkey's Erdogan came to Washington, and things got a bit crazy|last=Tharoor|first=Ishaan|date=31 March 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post}}
{{Blockquote|text=Turkey's leader and his security team are guests in the United States. They have no right to lay their hands on reporters or protesters or anyone else for that matter, when the people they are apparently roughing up seemed to be merely doing their jobs or exercising the rights they have in this country.}}
= U.S. State Department 2016 Human Rights Report =
According to the report, in February 2016, Turkish security forces killed at least 130 people, including unarmed civilians, who had taken shelter in the basements of three buildings in the town of Cizre. A domestic NGO, The Human Rights Association (HRA), said the security forces killed more than 300 civilians in the first eight months of 2016. It also reported retrieval of 171 bodies from three basements in Cizre after 5 February. The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRF), reported that during the 79 day curfew in Cizre, close to 200 people were killed. On 3 March 2016, HRF's president, Șebnem Korur Fincanci, found a human jawbone in the remains of a basement in the Sur district of Diyarbakir, where according to HRA seven people were killed in February 2016.{{cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm?year=2016&dlid=265482|title=Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 Turkey|website=U.S. Department of State|pages=3, 22|access-date=2017-03-06}}
International reactions
- {{flag|Council of Europe}} - On 14 April 2016, Nils Muižnieks, the council's human rights commissioner, said after visiting the city of Diyarbakir:{{cite web|url=http://www.dw.com/en/european-parliament-slams-turkey-over-deterioration-of-rights-and-democracy/a-19189464|title=European Parliament slams Turkey over deterioration of rights and democracy|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=2016-04-14|access-date=2015-06-06}}
{{blockquote|text=Respect for human rights has deteriorated at an alarming speed in recent months in the context of Turkey's fight against terrorism.}}
File:Rojava solidarity demonstration Berlin 2019-10-10 22.jpg against Turkey's military offensive on 10 October 2019]]
- {{flag|European Union}} - The EU has frequently called for an immediate ceasefire{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/eu-calls-immediate-ceasefire-turkeys-kurdish-southeast-104354881.html|title=EU calls for 'immediate ceasefire' in Turkey's Kurdish southeast|publisher=Yahoo|date=2016-01-25|access-date=2015-06-06|archive-date=6 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806215405/https://www.yahoo.com/news/eu-calls-immediate-ceasefire-turkeys-kurdish-southeast-104354881.html|url-status=dead}} and urged all sides to renew the settlement process with the Kurdish minority in Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/86f0907c-59cb-4fa0-ba41-9dfa48b1e9b6/Top-EU-diplomat-urges-Turkey-to-restart-peace-talks-with-the-Kurds|title=Top EU diplomat urges Turkey to restart peace talks with the Kurds|publisher=K24|access-date=2015-06-06}} On 7 March 2016, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said:{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}
{{blockquote|text=There is a need to restart the Kurdish peace process. The European Union recognizes that PKK is a terrorist organization, but there is a need to re-engage from the Turkish authorities' side with the Kurdish political representatives and the ones that express their position in a peaceful way.}}
The European Parliament has been highly critical with respect to human rights abuses and denial of political dialogue with respect to the Kurdish issue under the cloak of fight against terrorism in Turkey.{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.eu/article/meps-vote-to-criticize-turkey-on-democracy-european-parliament-refugee-crisis/|title=MEPs vote to criticize Turkey on democracy|publisher=Politico|date=2016-04-14|access-date=2016-06-15}}{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-05-20/turkey-moves-to-prosecute-almost-all-pro-kurdish-party-lawmakers|title=Turkey Moves to Prosecute Most Pro-Kurdish Party Lawmakers|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg|date=2016-05-20|access-date=2016-06-15}} The institutions of the European Union have persistently criticized the broad application of anti-terror legislation as well as a criminal law against "denigrating Turkishness" in Turkey as stifling peaceful advocacy for Kurdish rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.cihan.com.tr/en/european-parliament-calls-on-turkey-to-return-to-peace-process-1991801.htm|title=European Parliament calls on Turkey to return to peace process|publisher=Cihan|date=2016-01-21|access-date=2016-06-15}}{{dead link|date=June 2018 |bot=BabbaQ |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/22/turkish-academics-freed-trial-terrorist-propaganda-charge-petition-military-kurdish-rebels|title=Turkish academics freed on first day of trial for 'terrorist propaganda'|work=The Guardian|date=2016-04-22|access-date=2016-06-15}}
- {{flag|Germany}} - On 19 January 2016, German Ambassador to Turkey Martin Erdmann has voiced Berlin's unconditional support to Ankara's ongoing fight against the outlawed Kurdistan workers' Party (PKK), while underlining that "a final and permanent solution" to the Kurdish issue could only be found on political grounds. The Ambassador quoted:
{{blockquote|text=Fighting against the PKK and defending itself against the PKK is Turkey's most natural right. However, according to the German federal government's conviction, this problem can reach a final and permanent result only on a political platform.}}
Conflict in Turkey's south-east has often reflected on Germany's Turkish and Kurdish minorities causing mass riots and the build up of ethnic tensions within Germany.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/germany-turkey-righteous-in-fight-against-pkk-but-solution-is-on-political-ground.aspx?pageID=238&nID=94079&NewsCatID=351|title=Germany: Turkey righteous in fight against PKK, but solution is on political ground - EUROPE|date=20 January 2016 |access-date=14 May 2016}}
File:Joint Press Conference by NATO Secretary General and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs DOD 107329879-5da666b943e39.webm and Turkish minister of foreign affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, 11 October 2019]]
- {{flag|NATO}} - On 7 July 2015, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed solidarity with Turkey after an emergency session of the military alliance's 28 ambassadors in Brussels. Stoltenberg also expressed NATO is watching the developments "very closely".{{cite web|url=https://www.voanews.com/a/nato-chief-back-turkey-anti-terror-campaign-in-syria-and-iraq/2881296.html|title=NATO, Turkey in 'Solidarity' on IS, PKK Strikes|work=VOA|date=28 July 2015 |access-date=14 May 2016}} In October 2019, Turkey invaded the Kurdish areas in Syria. Stoltenberg said that Turkey has "legitimate security concerns" during press conference with Turkish FM Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.{{cite news |title=Turkey's actions in Syria must be measured: NATO chief |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-security-turkey-nato/turkeys-actions-in-syria-must-be-measured-nato-chief-idUSKBN1WO1YO |work=Reuters |date=9 October 2019}}
- {{flag|Netherlands}} - On 13 September 2016, Dutch police announced that they would register supports and sympathizers of the PKK into the national police database.
- {{flag|Russia}} - Russia has frequently said Turkish statements of Russian support to the PKK were not true, and called on Turkey to politically solve its "Kurdistan Issue", for example in this quote of the Russian Foreign Ministry on 5 June 2016:{{cite web|url=http://aranews.net/2016/06/russia-denies-support-to-pkk-calls-on-turkey-to-solve-kurdistan-issue/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160606120758/http://aranews.net/2016/06/russia-denies-support-to-pkk-calls-on-turkey-to-solve-kurdistan-issue/|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2016|title=Russia denies support to PKK, calls on Turkey to solve 'Kurdistan Issue'|publisher=Ara News|date=2016-06-05|access-date=2016-06-05}}
{{blockquote|text=We understand that it is difficult for current Turkish leadership to abandon attempts to explain their domestic problems by certain external factors. With the civil conflict with the Kurdish population unremitting, President Erdogan has not found a better justification for toughening the punitive operations in the [Kurdish-populated] southeast than to accuse Russia of supplying arms to the Kurdistan Workers' Party.}}
- {{flag|United Kingdom}} - On 14 January 2016, the British Ambassador to Turkey issued a statement on the behalf of the British government condemning the PKK, while calling on the militant organization to halt its attacks against Turkey. The Ambassador stated:{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/uk-calls-on-pkk-to-cease-attacks-on-turkey.aspx?PageID=238&NID=93871&NewsCatID=351 |title=UK calls on PKK to cease attacks on Turkey - EUROPE |date=15 January 2016 |publisher=Hurriyetdailynews.com |access-date=2016-05-27}}
{{blockquote|text=Let me emphasize that we condemn PKK terrorism absolutely. But we don't just make statements – we are also actively clamping down on PKK financing in the U.K., and doing our utmost to disrupt their international network and operations.}}
- {{flag|United Nations}} - In May 2016, the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein raised an alarm over violence against civilians and reported human rights abuses in predominantly Kurdish south-east Turkey.{{cite news|title=Turkey dismisses UN alarm at alleged rights abuses in Kurdish region|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/11/turkey-dismisses-un-alarm-at-alleged-rights-abuses-in-kurdish-region|website =The Guardian|date=11 May 2016}} He also raised concern over the Turkish government's refusal to allow a UN team to conduct research in the area amid reports that more than a hundred people had burned to death in buildings surrounded by security forces. The Commissioner stated:
{{blockquote|text="More and more information has been emerging from a variety of credible sources about the actions of security forces in the town of Cizre during the extended curfew there from mid-December until early March," he said in a press release. "Most disturbing of all are the reports quoting witnesses and relatives in Cizre which suggest that more than 100 people were burned to death as they sheltered in three different basements that had been surrounded by security forces."}}
However, the Turkish foreign ministry offered an open invitation to U.N. agencies to visit the country's southeastern provinces after the reports were made and refuted those statements, saying they were "based on insufficient information".{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-invites-un-to-visit-southeast-amid-claims-of-rights-abuses.aspx?pageID=238&nID=99026&NewsCatID=510|title=Turkey invites UN to visit southeast amid claims of rights abuses - DIPLOMACY|date=11 May 2016 |access-date=14 May 2016}} According to the UN Commissioner, unarmed civilians, including women and children, were shot by government snipers in the south-east during the clashes and Turkish forces also inflicted significant damage on the local infrastructure.{{cite news|title=UN deplores Turkish military abuses in Kurdish areas|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36261011|website =BBC|date=10 May 2016}} Turkish sources, whose reports were confirmed by the Turkey's foreign ministry had said in late 2015 that the PKK were hiring foreign national snipers to target civilians and high ranking Military personnel in the same region.{{cite web|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-foreign-snipers-among-pkk-militants.aspx?pageID=238&nID=94687&NewsCatID=341|title=Turkey: Foreign snipers among PKK militants - LOCAL|date=3 February 2016 |access-date=14 May 2016}}
- {{flag|United States}} - According to Turkish Daily Sabah, on 28 April 2016, Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter reportedly confirmed that it believes the YPG militia in the Federation of Northern Syria – Rojava, which is supported by the United States, has some connections with the PKK, which is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and NATO. He also reportedly said Turkey is upset with the U.S.'s position on Syrian Kurds and that the Obama administration has "extensive consultations" with the Turks over the issue.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailysabah.com/americas/2016/04/28/pentagon-chief-carter-confirms-link-between-ypgpyd-and-pkk-terrorist-organization|title=Pentagon chief Carter confirms link between YPG/PYD and PKK terrorist organization|date=28 April 2016|work=DailySabah|access-date=14 May 2016}} Vice President Joe Biden called the PKK a terrorist group "plain and simple" and compared it to the ISIL.{{cite news |title=Joe Biden Says the PKK and the Islamic State Are Equal Threats to Turkey |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/7xae3y/joe-biden-says-the-pkk-and-the-islamic-state-are-equal-threats-to-turkey |work=Vice |date=23 January 2016}} However, the U.S. support for the YPG secular militia in the Syrian Civil War was even expanded: During the May 2016 offensive against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Northern Raqqa, US Special Operation Forces were widely reported and photographed to be present, and to wear badges of YPG and YPJ on their uniforms.{{cite news|title=U.S. Troops 18 Miles from ISIS Capital|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/26/u-s-troops-18-miles-from-isis-capital.html|date=2016-05-27|access-date=2016-05-27|agency=The Daily Beast}} When in June 2016 the Manbij Offensive of the Syrian Democratic Forces started, the Washington Post reported it under the headline of "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria".{{cite news |title=Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/us-backs-kurds-in-drive-against-isis-in-syria-despite-turkish-objections/2016/06/01/7bacf6fa-2808-11e6-8329-6104954928d2_story.html|newspaper=Washington Post|date=2016-06-01|access-date=2016-06-03}} The US has stated they don't consider the YPG a terrorist organization.{{cite news|title=US: We See Neither Gülen Movement nor YPG as Terror Organization|url=http://bianet.org/english/world/175425-us-we-see-neither-gulen-movement-nor-ypg-as-terror-organization|access-date=14 December 2016|work=Bianet - Bagimsiz Iletisim Agi}}
==See also==
- Timeline of the Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency (1978–2015)
- Cizre operation (2015)
- Ceylanpınar incident (2015's Casus belli)
- Hunger strikes in Turkey (2016-2017)
- Kurdish political violence
- Şırnak clashes (2015–2016)
- 2015 Hakkari assault
- West Iran clashes
- No friends but the mountains
- A Modern History of the Kurds by David McDowall
References
{{Reflist}}
=Bibliography=
- {{cite book |last=Eccarius-Kelly |year=2011 |first=Vera |title=The Militant Kurds: A Dual Strategy for Freedom |publisher=Praeger |isbn=978-0-313-36468-6 |url={{Google books|DhtRxs4CVSUC|plainurl=y}}}}
{{Turkey–PKK conflict}}
{{Portal bar|Turkey|Kurdistan}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kurdish-Turkish conflict}}