Turkey May Engage in Military Operations This Summer, Reports Say

Turkey may undertake military operations in Syria this summer due to the activities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is banned in the country, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reports, citing its sources.

Earlier, the newspaper reported that the PKK plans to hold local elections in August in regions of Syria under its control with the support of the United States. “Thus, we are expecting a hot summer in Syria. If Turkey, along with regional players, fails to delay the elections scheduled for August, the question of military operations may be on the agenda. Turkey is prepared for both options,” writes Abdulqadir Selvi, a columnist close to government circles.

Previously, the Gercekgundem publication reported, citing sources from the Ministry of National Defense, that Turkey is closely monitoring U.S. activities in Syria, which are associated with the PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization. U.S. and PKK joint military exercises had also taken place in Syria.

The armed conflict with the Kurdistan Workers' Party has been ongoing in Turkey since 1984 and resumed in 2015. The PKK has bases located in northern Iraq, against which the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) conducts air and ground operations. The presence of Turkish troops at the Zilkan camp northeast of Mosul has become a point of contention between Baghdad and Ankara, which justifies their deployment as necessary for the fight against the PKK.