Turkish Government Issues Warning to Sulaymaniyah Province Over PUK-PKK Relations
In a recent statement, Turkish Defense Minister Yaşar Güler issued a stern warning to Sulaymaniyah province, emphasizing that the region's future conditions would not be in its interests unless the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) severs its connections with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). This comes as tensions in the region continue to escalate.
"We are regularly warning Bafel Talabani to stop supporting the Kurdistan Workers' Party and to end his relations with this organization; otherwise, future circumstances will not serve the interests of Sulaymaniyah," Minister Güler conveyed in an interview with Millet News, as reported by Kurdistan 24.
The Turkish government has been closely monitoring the actions of the PUK and has indicated its intention to communicate its observations to both the Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
Last week, the situation intensified when a Turkish drone attack targeted Arbat Airport on the outskirts of Sulaymaniyah city. Tragically, the incident resulted in the loss of three Counter-Terrorism officers affiliated with the PUK, and there are reports suggesting a higher number of casualties.
According to reports, the Turkish foreign ministry released a statement claiming that fighters from the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Counter-Terrorism Unit of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan were conducting training activities at Arbat Airport when the attack occurred.
Turkey has frequently launched airstrikes on what it claims are outposts belonging to the Kurdistan Workers' Party in Sulaymaniyah province. Additionally, Turkish airspace restrictions persist for access to and from the main airport in Sulaymaniyah city, citing "concerns" about the alleged growing "PKK presence" in the region.
The situation remains fluid, with regional tensions escalating as Turkey continues to assert its stance on the PUK-PKK relations in Sulaymaniyah province. The international community closely watches these developments, hoping for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.
