In a targeted drone strike on Monday night, a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) reportedly killed a commander and another member affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Sinjar. The strike focused on a vehicle carrying fighters from the Sinjar Resistance Units (YBS), a PKK-affiliated militant group operating in the Yezidi-majority town, according to a statement from the Kurdistan Region’s counter-terrorism group, the Directorate General of Counter Terrorism (CTD).

The CTD's statement provided limited details on the incident, but it confirmed the death of a commander and another member. Turkey has a history of conducting airstrikes in Sinjar, targeting vehicles and positions associated with the PKK and its affiliates, leading to casualties, including senior members.

Although an agreement was reached in 2020 between Erbil and Baghdad, supported by the United Nations, to normalize security and administrative affairs in Sinjar, implementation has been delayed. The Kurdistan Region authorities have consistently urged Baghdad to enforce the agreement.

The recent U.S. State Department annual report on International Religious Freedom (IRF) highlighted the Yezidi people's reluctance to return to their homes in Sinjar due to ongoing Turkish airstrikes against the PKK in the area. Turkey's increased use of drones, driven by its advanced drone industry, has seen a rise in strikes, particularly in urban centers of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, targeting suspected PKK positions.

Kurdistan Region officials continue to call on Baghdad, responsible for border security affairs, to prevent insurgents and foreign militaries from engaging in hostilities within its territory. Concerns have been raised about the growing presence of foreign militia forces in the region. The conflict's focal point remains the border areas of the Kurdistan Region, posing a significant threat to civilian populations.

The situation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region, with ongoing tensions between Turkey, the PKK, and the broader Kurdish communities. As international actors closely monitor developments, there are increasing calls for diplomatic solutions to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure stability in the region.