2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq

Military operation

Operation Sun

Part of the Kurdish–Turkish conflict, Iraq War and the Iraqi civil war (2006–2008)

Location of the Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq
| Date| February 21, 2008 – February 29, 2008

|

Location|

Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Result|  Both sides claim victory[2][3][4]
Belligerents
Turkey|  PKK
PJAK[1]
Commanders and leaders
Yaşar Büyükanıt
İlker Başbuğ
Aydoğan Babaoğlu
Bekir Kalyoncu|  Murat Karayilan
Fehman Huseyin
Cemil Bayik
Murat Karasac
Strength
5,000–10,000 troops or several hundred,[5][6] including 3,000 special forces[7]
14 aircraft|  5,000 (estimated)
Casualties and losses

24 soldiers killed[8][9]
3 village guards killed[9][10]

1 AH-1 Cobra lost[11]|  237 killed, 3 captured[12]
"Tens" killed (PKK claim)[citation needed]

* v
* t
* e

Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency

Timeline

* * *

First insurgency

* 1984
* Karageçit
* N Iraq (1986)
* Ortabağ
* N Iraq (1987)
* Pınarcık
* Yeşilova
* Taşdelen
* Şırnak
* Kulp
* N Iraq (1992)
* Bingöl
* Başbağlar
* Lice
* Winter campaign
* Steel
* Tokat
* Hawk
* Tunceli
* Varto
* Sazak
* Hammer
* Dawn
* Murat
* Istanbul
* Blue Market

Second insurgency

* Ankara
* Hakkâri (2007)
* N Iraq (2007)
* Aktütün
* Diyarbakır
* Sun
* Reşadiye
* İskenderun
* Hakkâri
* Istanbul
* 2011 border raid
* Hakkâri (2011)
* Roboski
* Hakkâri (2012)
* Beytüşşebap
* Şemdinli

Third insurgency

* Ceylanpınar
* Siirt bombing
* Martyr Yalçın
* Police raids
* Arslan Kulaksız
* Şırnak
* Cizre (2015)
* Cizre (2016)
* Kandil
* Hakkari
* Silvan
* Sur
* Lice
* Dürümlü
* 2015 airport bombing
* Ankara (Feb 2016)
* Ankara (Mar 2016)
* Bursa
* Istanbul (Jun 2016)
* Istanbul (Oct 2016)
* Istanbul (Dec 2016)
* N Iraq (2016)
* Elazığ
* Cizre
* Euphrates Shield
* Şemdinli
* Kayseri
* İzmir
* Airstrikes in Syria & Iraq
* Olive Branch
* Siirt raid
* Sinjar (2018)
* Gercüş
* Claw
* Kiran
* Peace Spring
* Claw-Eagle & Claw-Tiger
* İskenderun
* Claw-Eagle 2
* Claw-Lightning & Thunderbolt
* Sinjar (2021)
* Claw-Lock
* Zakho
* Istanbul (2022)
* Claw-Sword
* Syria (2023 June)
* Ankara (2023)
* Syria (2023 Oct)
* TAI (2024)

* * *

Serhildan

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1999
* 2001
* 2005
* 2006
* 2008
* 2009
* 2011–2012
* 2014

* * *

Peace process and peace efforts

* 1991–2004 Kurdish–Turkish peace initiatives
* 1993 Kurdistan Workers' Party ceasefire
* 2013–2015 Solution process
* 2025 Peace Process

* * *

Others

* Assassinations

* v
* t
* e

Iraq War (Outline)

Timeline

* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011

Prelude

Invasion (2003)

* Umm Qasr
* Al Faw
* 1st Basra
* Nasiriyah
* Raid on Karbala
* Haditha Dam
* 1st Najaf
* Northern Delay
* Viking Hammer
* Samawah
* 1st Karbala
* Al Kut
* Hillah
* Green Line
* Karbala Gap
* Debecka Pass
* Kani Domlan Ridge
* Baghdad

Post-invasion insurgency (2003–2006)

* Al Anbar
* Killing of Qusay & Uday Hussein
* 1st Ramadan
* Latifiya
* Capture of Saddam Hussein
* Spring 2004
* City Hall
* Al Kut [uk]
* Iron Saber
* 1st Fallujah
* Sadr City
* 1st Ramadi
* Good Friday
* Husaybah
* Danny Boy
* 2nd Najaf
* CIMIC-House
* Samarra
* 2nd Fallujah
* Mosul
* Lake Tharthar
* Al Qa'im
* Hit
* Haditha
* Steel Curtain
* Tal Afar
* 2nd Ramadi
* Together Forward
* Diwaniya

Civil war (2006–2008)

* 2nd Ramadan
* Sinbad
* Amarah
* Turki
* Diyala
* Haifa Street
* Karbala Raid
* 3rd Najaf
* Imposing Law
* U.K. bases
* Black Eagle
* Baghdad belts
* Alljah
* Baqubah
* Donkey Island
* Shurta Nasir
* Phantom Strike
* 2nd Karbala
* Phantom Phoenix

Insurgency (2008–2011)

* 2008 Day of Ashura
* Nineveh
* Spring 2008
* 2nd Basra
* 2008 al-Qaeda Offensive
* Augurs of Prosperity
* Abu Kamal
* Palm Grove
* Camp Ashraf
* US withdrawal violence

* v
* t
* e

List of bombings during the Iraq War

‡ indicates attacks resulting in over 100 deaths
§ indicates the deadliest attack in the Iraq War
This list only includes major attacks.

2003
1st Baghdad
2nd Baghdad
Najaf
3rd Baghdad
1st Nasiriyah
1st Karbala

2004
‡ 1st Erbil
‡ Ashoura
1st Basra
1st Mosul
4th Baghdad
5th Baghdad
Karbala & Najaf
1st Baqubah
Kufa
Marez

2005
Suwaira bombing
‡ 1st Al Hillah
2nd Erbil
‡ Musayyib
6th Baghdad
‡ 7th Baghdad
1st Balad
Khanaqin

2006
‡ Karbala-Ramadi
1st Samarra
8th Baghdad
9th Baghdad
‡ 10th Baghdad

2007
11th Baghdad
12th Baghdad
‡ 13th Baghdad
14th Baghdad
15th Baghdad
‡ 2nd Al Hillah
‡ 1st Tal Afar
16th Baghdad
17th Baghdad
2nd & 3rd Karbala
2nd Mosul
‡ 18th Baghdad
Makhmour
Abu Sayda
2nd Samarra
19th Baghdad
‡ Amirli
1st Kirkuk
20th Baghdad
21st Baghdad
§ Qahtaniya
Amarah

2008
22nd Baghdad
2nd Balad
23rd Baghdad
4th Karbala
24th Baghdad
Karmah
2nd Baqubah
Dujail
Balad Ruz

2009
25th Baghdad
26th Baghdad
Baghdad-Muqdadiyah
Taza
27th Baghdad
2nd Kirkuk
2nd Tal Afar
‡ 28th Baghdad
‡ 29th Baghdad
‡ 30th Baghdad

2010
31st Baghdad
32nd Baghdad
3rd Baqubah
33rd Baghdad
34th Baghdad
35th Baghdad
‡ 1st Pan-Iraq
36th Baghdad
37th Baghdad
2nd Pan-Iraq
38th Baghdad
39th Baghdad
‡ 40th Baghdad

2011
41st Baghdad
‡ 3rd Pan-Iraq
Karbala-Baghdad
42nd Baghdad
Tikrit
3rd Al Hillah
3rd Samarra
Al Diwaniyah
Taji
4th Pan-Iraq
43rd Baghdad
4th Karbala
44th Baghdad
2nd Basra
45th Baghdad

The 2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq, code-named Operation Sun (Turkish: Güneş Harekatı) by the Turkish Armed Forces, began on February 21, 2008, when the Turkish Army sent troops into northern Iraq to target the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).[13] The ground offensive was preceded by Turkish Air Force bombardments of PKK camps in northern Iraq, which began on December 16, 2007.[14][15] It was the "first confirmed ground incursion" of Iraq since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.[16]

Initial reports indicated that up to 10,000 troops had taken part in the operation,[6] although the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Multi-National Force – Iraq claimed only a few hundred troops were involved.[5]

## Background

[edit]

In October 2007, Turkish jets and ground forces clashed with PKK forces in Turkey and over the border into northern Iraq.

## Winter bombing campaign

[edit]

Turkey launched its first cross-border raid on December 16, 2007, involving 50 fighter jets.[17] A Turkish military statement said that up to 175 militants were killed on that day alone, while Iraqi officials reported that the strikes had targeted 10 villages and killed one civilian. The PKK reported seven deaths.[18]

On December 26, the Turkish General Staff said Turkish military aircraft bombed eight PKK bases in northern Iraq in a raid undertaken after "it was determined that a large group of militants, who have been watched for a long time, were preparing to pass the winter in eight caves and hideouts in the Zap region," the statement said.[19]

On January 10, 2008, Turkish warplanes bombed PKK hideouts in northern Iraq, the military announced, but there were no reports of casualties or serious damage.[20]

The Turkish military said in a statement on February 4 that Turkish fighter jets struck nearly 70 PKK targets in northern Iraq in a series of strikes.[21]

The president of Kurdish region of northern Iraq, Massoud Barzani, condemned Turkey's raids and warned Ankara to stop the strikes,[22] and the Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, who is a member of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), expressed concern that "unilateral actions" could harm Iraqi and Turkish interests.[18] According to the Turkish General Staff's estimates, there were 300 PKK militants in the region prior to the incursion and the General Staff claims that 240 militants were killed.[23]

## Operation Sun

[edit]

### Preparation for the ground incursion

[edit]

On February 21, Turkey began targeted artillery and aerial bombardment of PKK positions in northern Iraq in order to "destroy the organizational infrastructure in the region." This lasted from 10:00 to 18:00 local time.[24] The Turkish government reported that on the day of the operation, Turkish President Abdullah Gül made a telephone call to Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, himself a Kurd, to brief him on the details of the incursion.[24] He also invited Talabani to come to Turkey.[25]

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he called Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on the night the ground operation began, and later U.S. President George W. Bush.[26] The United States was guarded in its response to the incursion, requesting that Turkey take care to only target the PKK, to "limit the scope and duration of their operations," and to work with Iraqi and Kurdish officials.[27][28]

### Incursion

[edit]

Map of Iraqi Kurdistan

The incursion itself began at 17:00 UTC February 21, 2008. Reports from NTV Turkey indicated that 10,000 troops were involved in the operation, and had advanced 10 km beyond the Turkish border into Iraq,[13][29] mainly around the Hakurk region. Another report from CNN-Turk said that 3000 special forces were involved.[24]

The incursion was announced on the Turkish General Staff's website the following day, and would constitute the "first confirmed ground incursion" since the 2003 invasion of Iraq.[16]

According to the Iraqi Foreign Minister, Turkish troops had advanced only 5 km into Iraqi territory.[30] 60 tanks were also said to have initially entered Iraq, but by the following day some had returned across the border.[31]

Kurdish-Iraqi peshmerga forces were put on alert and prevented Turkish military monitors in northern Iraq from leaving their camps.[32]

Iraqi officials announced that no Turkish troops had crossed the Iraqi border using the major land route into Iraq, the Khabur Bridge, and there were no reports of Turkish contact from the Kurdistan Regional Government Peshmerga forces.[33] Iraq claimed that Turkey had destroyed five bridges in the area.[31]

On February 24, PKK sources claimed that PKK fighters had shot down a Turkish Cobra helicopter and [11] Turkey confirmed this later in the day, saying that the incident happened "due to an unknown reason." Advancing Turkish troops were attacking the PKKs' shelters, logistic centers and ammunition. According to Turkey, the retreating PKK militants set booby traps under the corpses of dead comrades and planted mines on escape routes in order to gain time.[11]

By February 25, the military had advanced more than 30 km (20 miles) into Iraq and claimed to have destroyed seven militant camps. Heavy fighting raged at the entrance to the Great Zab valley with most of the Turkish troops inside Iraq involved in an attack on a key PKK command centre in the valley after taking control of the PKK's Haftanin camp about 5 km (3 miles) from the border.[34] Fighting was concentrated on a strategic hill controlling the entrance to the valley. At least 21 militants were killed in the battle for the hill according to the Turkish army. The PKK used long-range guns to hold off the military, killing two Turkish soldiers, until silenced with light and heavy weapons fire. PKK losses could not be determined because of bad weather.[35]

In the coming days Turkish warplanes bombed PKK hideouts in the mountainous Siladze area and heavy fighting raged in the area near the PKK camps in Zap and Haftanin, with the guerrillas putting up stiff resistance.[10] On February 27 Turkey sent additional troops to Iraq in the face of ongoing pressure from the international community for a speedy withdrawal.[36]

On February 28 a senior Turkish official said Turkish security forces were planning to pull back their troops in a few days to an uninhabited cordon sanitaire on the southern side of the border.[37] Pressure on Turkey to withdraw, however, continued to mount.[38]

The Turkish Army withdrew from Iraq on February 29, declaring that their goals had been achieved and the operation concluded,[39][40] while also denying that the withdrawal had been prompted by pressure from the United States.[41]

## Casualties and losses

[edit]

After Turkey withdrew from Iraq, it reported having completed their mission and having killed more than two-hundred PKK militants while also admitted the loss of twenty-seven Turkish soldiers.[42] On the other side the PKK reported the death of over a hundred dead Turkish soldiers and only having lost five militants.[42] Prior to the ground operation, Turkey estimated that an additional 300 PKK militants had been killed by Turkish air strikes which began on December 16, 2007 and continued until the beginning of the ground offensive on February 21, 2008.[43] The number of dead militants denied by the PKK, who claimed they had evacuated the areas before the bombardments.[42]

## Post-conflict operations

[edit]

Turkey continued sporadic long-range attacks in the weeks following the operation. In the week of March 24, 2008, Turkey's military announced that it had killed at least 15 rebels in northern Iraq after firing on them with long-range weapons. A spokesman for the Iraqi Kurdish Regional Security Forces, however, denied the report, saying Turkey has not conducted any military operation or air assault there in the previous two weeks.[44]

On April 25 and 26, 2008, the Turkish Air Force bombed the PKK bases in the northern Iraqi regions of Zap, Avasin-Basyan and Hakurk.[45] This was described as the largest attack since the end of Operation Sun. First the T-155 Fırtına howitzers (which have a range between 30 and 56 km, depending on the type of ammunition) were used to shell the PKK positions starting from 18:00 pm on April 25, which lasted for two hours. Then F-16 jets equipped with LANTIRN belonging to the 181st Squadron (Pars Filo) and F-4E 2020 Terminator jets belonging to the 171st Squadron (Korsan Filo) began bombing the PKK's positions in northern Iraq, which lasted 45 minutes. In the meantime, Heron MALE UAVs were used for gaining reconnaissance data regarding the PKK's positions, and about 1000 Turkish commandos entered 8 kilometers into northern Iraq from the border area near Derecik (Şemdinli) in pursuit of the PKK militants. On April 26, 2008, at around 06:00 am, a second aerial strike by the jets of the Turkish Air Force from Diyarbakır Air Base took place, in which the PKK militants using the cemetery area in Hakurk as a hideout were bombed. This was followed by another air strike at 10:00 am in the same morning, during which the Turkish Air Force jets entered 30 kilometers into Iraqi air space.[46]

On May 1, 2008, at least 30 jets of the Turkish Air Force bombed the PKK camps in northern Iraq.[47] The operation began just before midnight and continued into Friday, May 2, 2008.[47] According to Turkish military sources, the PKK targets that were bombed are far from civilian settlements, at the mountains of the Qandil (Kandil) area.[47] On May 3, the Turkish General Staff announced that "more than 150 PKK militants have been neutralized in the latest operation, which targeted the camps in the Qandil Mountains, where most of the high-ranking members of the organization are located."[48][49] The Turkish General Staff, without giving a precise name, implied that the PKK rebels who were neutralized may also include "a guerilla who leads the organization" as well;[49] leading the Turkish press to speculate that Murat Karayilan might have also been killed during the latest aerial strikes.[50][51]

## Reaction

[edit]

### International organizations

[edit]

* European Union – Foreign policy advisor Javier Solana spoke at a news conference in Slovenia, saying, "We understand the concerns of Turkey...but we think this action is not the best response. The territorial integrity of Iraq is for us very important."[52] The European Commission said through a spokeswoman that "The European Union understands Turkey's need to protect its population from terrorism and it also says that Turkey should refrain from taking any disproportionate military action and respect human rights and the rule of law."[24]
* United Nations – Secretary General Ban Ki-moon released a statement asking for "utmost restraint" and respect of international borders on the part of Turkey and the immediate end of "incursions by PKK elements" into Turkey.[53]

### National governments

[edit]

* Australia – Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith called on Turkey to respect Iraq's sovereignty and withdraw as soon as possible.[10]
* Germany – The Foreign Office urged Turkey not to escalate regional tensions.[29]
* Iraq – The Iraqi government protested to the Turkish chargé d'affaires in Baghdad. An Iraqi government spokesman said, "Our position is Turkey should respect the sovereignty of Iraq and avoid any military action which would threaten security and stability."[30] On February 26 Iraq increased its criticism, saying the "unilateral military action was unacceptable and it threatened the good relations between the two neighbouring countries."[54]
* Russia - The Russian Foreign Ministry expressed the hope that a political solution respecting Iraqi sovereignty and regional security could be found, though it also acknowledged the importance of not allowing "the territory of any state to be used as a staging ground for terrorist activities against their neighbours."[29]
* United Kingdom – The Foreign Office stated, "We would urge Turkey to withdraw from Iraqi territory as early as possible and take the greatest possible care to avoid causing harm to the civilian population."[55] On February 23 Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan called British Foreign Minister David Miliband to update him on the operation's progress and exchange views.[56]
* United States – In the months leading up to the incursion the US had repeatedly expressed concerns that large-scale military action in Northern Iraq had the potential to destabilize the region, although it supported Turkey's right to defend itself against insurgents.[57][58] It was seen as a "bitter defeat for American diplomacy" when Turkey launched the operation in defiance of this lobbying effort,[59] and although the US publicly expressed its belief that Turkey had the right to defend itself against insurgents[60] they maintained consistent pressure on Turkey to limit the length and scale of the operation throughout.[39][61] On February 24, for example, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said "I would hope that it would be short, that it would be precise and avoid the loss of innocent life and that they leave as quickly as they can accomplish the mission."[56]

### Regional governments

[edit]

* The Kurdistan Regional Government condemned the Turkish operation and called for an immediate withdrawal of troops. The KRG suggested immediate four-way talks between Turkey, the U.S., the Iraqi government, and the Kurdish regional government in Northern Iraq.[62] President of the regional government, Massoud Barzani, though stating the Kurdish government refuses to be part of the Turkish-PKK conflict, warned Turkey about inflicting civilian casualties saying, "if the Turkish military targets any Kurdish civilian citizens or any civilian structures then we will order a large-scale resistance", and, "if the clashes harmed any of the Kurdish citizens or further reached Kurdish inhabited areas, Kurds are instructed and prepared to counter attack".[63] On February 28 the Kurdish prime minister Nechirvan Barzani said that he is unsure about whether the Turkish offensive is aimed at the Kurdistan region of Iraq or at PKK.[64]

## See also

[edit]

* Operation Northern Iraq (1992)

* Operation Hammer (1997)
* Kurdish–Turkish conflict
* October 2007 clashes in Hakkari
* August 2011 Turkey-Iraq cross-border raid
* Human rights of Kurdish people in Turkey

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Page 2" (PDF). Retrieved July 17, 2023.
2. ^ "PKK triumphant as Ankara retreats from Northern Iraq". Retrieved November 17, 2016.
3. ^ "Turkey claims victory over PKK as it withdraws troops from Iraq". Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
4. ^ "Genel Kurmay Basın Açıklamaları: Duyurular - Yüz 2". GuncelMeydan. February 24, 2008. Retrieved January 6, 2014.
5. ^ a b Muir, Jim (February 22, 2008). "Turkey border tensions fuel confusion". BBC News. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
6. ^ a b Bendern, Paul de (February 22, 2008). "Turkey launches major land offensive into N.Iraq". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
7. ^ "Turkey launches ground operation against PKK in Northern Iraq, Turkish army said". Hürriyet News. February 22, 2008.
8. ^ "US to seek end to Turkey assault". BBC News. February 27, 2008.
9. ^ a b Hürriyet: Örgütün kalpgahı imha edildi (2008-02-29) [clarification needed]
10. ^ a b c "Turkey steps up Iraq onslaught as US urges quick pull-out". The Sydney Morning Herald. February 28, 2008. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
11. ^ a b c "Turkey admits loss of helicopter". BBC News. February 24, 2008. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved 27 March 2008.
12. ^ Acar, Hasan; Pekcaoğlu, Mustafa (2022). "Türkiye'nin uluslararası askeri harekat deneyimi ve terörle mücadelede askeri kapasitesi". Tarsus Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi (in Turkish). 3 (1). Tarsus Üniversitesi: 80–101\. ISSN 2757-5357.
13. ^ a b Bendern, Paul de (February 22, 2008). "Turkey army launches land offensive into Iraq". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
14. ^ "News Channel - Homepage - flightglobal.com". Retrieved November 17, 2016.
15. ^ "Turkish jets bomb Kurdish rebel hideouts in northern Iraq". The Jerusalem Post. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on September 16, 2011. Retrieved 2008-02-22.
16. ^ a b Tavernise, Sabrina; Arsu, Sebnem (February 22, 2008). "Turkey Says It Has Sent Ground Troops Into Iraq". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 20, 2013. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
17. ^ "Turkey continues raids into Iraq". BBC. December 23, 2007. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
18. ^ a b "Turkey defends incursions in Iraq". BBC. December 19, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
19. ^ "Turkey Targets Northern Iraq Again". Al Jazeera. December 26, 2007. Archived from the original on March 8, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
20. ^ "Turkish jets bomb Kurdish terrorists hideouts in northern Iraq". Ynet. January 15, 2008. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
21. ^ "Turkey Targets 'PKK bases in Iraq'". Al Jazeera. February 4, 2008. Archived from the original on February 6, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
22. ^ "Turkey Iraq raids 'killed hundreds'". BBC. December 25, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
23. ^ Turkish General Staff: Final report regarding the operation Archived April 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
24. ^ a b c d "HIGHLIGHTS - Turkey launches ground operation vs PKK in the Northern Iraq (updated at GMT 1202)". Hurriyet. February 22, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
25. ^ "Turkish president invites Iraqi counterpart to visit Turkey". Xinhua News Agency. February 22, 2008. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
26. ^ Hacaoglu, Selcan; Torchia, Christopher (February 22, 2008). "Turkish Troops Enter Iraq Seeking Rebels". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
27. ^ "Turkey Told US, Iraq of Incursion Plan". USA Today. Associated Press. February 22, 2008. Retrieved December 16, 2008.
28. ^ "U.S. urges Turkey to end incursion in Iraq". NBC News News Services. February 22, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
29. ^ a b c Bentley, Mark (February 22, 2008). "Turkish Army Begins Ground Assault on PKK in Iraq (Update9)". Bloomberg. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
30. ^ a b Karouny, Mariam (February 22, 2008). "Iraq protests Turkish incursion into Northern Iraq". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
31. ^ a b Susman, Tina; Comert, Yesim (February 22, 2008). "Turkish troops invade Iraq in pursuit of rebel Kurds". Houston Chronicle. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved 2008-02-23.
32. ^ Torchia, Christopher (February 22, 2008). "Turkey Launches Ground Operation in Iraq". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 22, 2008.[dead link]
33. ^ "Turkish troops enter north Iraq". BBC News. February 22, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
34. ^ "Iraq condemns Turkish incursion". Reuters. February 26, 2008. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2019.
35. ^ "Iraq denounces Turkish offensive". BBCNews. February 26, 2008. Archived from the original on February 29, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2008.
36. ^ "Turkey sends more troops into Iraq". Cable News Network. February 27, 2008. Archived from the original on March 3, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
37. ^ Borger, Julian (February 28, 2008). "Turkey to pull out of Iraq in days as US calls for swift end to conflict". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on March 2, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
38. ^ Sevastopulo, Demetri; Boland, Vincent; Dombey, Daniel (February 28, 2008). "US raises pressure on Turks over incursion". The Financial Times Ltd. Archived from the original on April 16, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
39. ^ a b "Turkey Leaves Iraq After U.S. Pressure". CBS Interactive Inc. February 29, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
40. ^ "Örgütün kalpgahı imha edildi". February 29, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
41. ^ "Turkey denies US pressure influenced withdrawal". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. March 1, 2008. Archived from the original on April 6, 2008. Retrieved March 26, 2008.
42. ^ a b c "Vol. 62, No. 3, Summer, 2008 of Middle East Journal on JSTOR". JSTOR. pp. 501–502. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
43. ^ Turkish General Staff: Final Report regarding Operation Sun Archived April 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
44. ^ "Turkey: 'Kurdish rebels killed in northern Iraq'". CNN. March 29, 2008. Archived from the original on April 4, 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2008.
45. ^ "Turkey launches raids on N Iraq". BBC News. April 26, 2008. Archived from the original on May 1, 2008. Retrieved 1 May 2008.
46. ^ "Hem karadan hem havadan". www.hurriyet.com.tr. April 27, 2008. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
47. ^ a b c "Turkish jets bomb PKK camps in Northern Iraq: Anatolian". Reuters. May 1, 2008. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
48. ^ "Turkey 'kills 150 Kurdish rebels'". BBC News. May 3, 2008. Archived from the original on May 6, 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2008.
49. ^ a b Turkish General Staff: BİLGİ NOTLARI. TARİH: May 3ıs 2008. NO: BN - 33 / 08. Archived January 23, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
50. ^ "Ankara'da Karayılan öldürüldü iddiası". May 3, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
51. ^ "150'den fazla terörist öldürüldü". May 3, 2008. Retrieved November 17, 2016.
52. ^ John, Mark (February 22, 2008). "EU's Solana: Turkey incursion "not best response"". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
53. ^ "Secretary-General concerned by latest escalation of tension along Turkish-iraqi border". Department of Public Information of the United Nations. February 22, 2008. Archived from the original on February 28, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
54. ^ "Iraq says Turkey incursion 'unacceptable'". AFP. February 26, 2008. Archived from the original on October 1, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2008.
55. ^ Croft, Adrian (February 22, 2008). "UK urges Turkey to leave Iraq as early as possible". Reuters. Archived from the original on February 25, 2008. Retrieved February 22, 2008.
56. ^ a b "Tens of PKK terrorists killed, Turkey continues diplomatic initiatives (UPDATED)". Hurriyet. February 24, 2008. Retrieved February 24, 2008.
57. ^ Goktas, Hidir; Jones, Gareth (2007). "Turkey approves Iraq incursion plan, allies anxious". Reuters (published October 17, 2007). Retrieved July 10, 2008.
58. ^ Buckley, Cara; Tavernise, Sabrina (2007). "Rice Visits Iraq Amid Strain With Turkey". New York Times (published December 19, 2007). Retrieved July 10, 2008.
59. ^ "What Is Behind Turkey's Invasion of Northern Iraq?". Spiegel Online International (published February 25, 2008). 2008. Archived from the original on August 4, 2008. Retrieved 2008-07-10. (Archived by)
60. ^ Gűtaṣli, Selçuk (February 23, 2008). "US seemingly approves ground operation". Today's Zaman. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
61. ^ "Iraq incursion finished, Turkey says". CNN (published February 29, 2008). 2008. Retrieved July 10, 2008. `{{cite journal}}`: Cite journal requires `|journal=` (help)
62. ^ "Iraqi Kurds condemn Turkey incursion, call for troops withdrawal". Xinhua. February 23, 2008. Archived from the original on February 26, 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
63. ^ "Barzani says Kurds will fight back against Turkish troops". The Earth Times. February 23, 2008. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved February 23, 2008.
64. ^ Aqrawi, Shamal (February 28, 2008). "INTERVIEW-Turkey targets Iraq Kurds, not just rebels-Kurd PM". Reuters. Retrieved February 28, 2008.

## External links

[edit]

* Turkish General Staff official website.
* Turkey targets Iraq Kurds, not just rebels: Kurd PM.
* Map of the air strikes.
* Bowers, Charles [1] Archived July 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine An academic paper applying the laws of war to Turkish military actions against the PKK in northern Iraq.

* v
* t
* e

Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency

* Timelines
* 1978–2015
* 2015–present
* Map

Turkey|

| State|

* Government
* National Security Council
* Military
* Army
* Air Force
* Navy
* Gendarmerie
* Coast Guard
* Police
* MİT
* Village Guards

|

Deep state|

* Counter-Guerrilla
* Grey Wolves
* Turkish Revenge Brigade
* Susurluk scandal
* Ergenekon
* JİTEM

Kurdish groups|

| Insurgent|

* KCK
* PKK
* History
* People's Defence Forces (HPG)
* Free Women's Units (YJA-STAR)
* National Liberation Front of Kurdistan (ERNK)
* Liberation Forces OF Kurdistan (HRK)
* People's Liberation Army of Kurdistan (ARGK)
* Democratic People's Union of Kurdish (YDK)
* Democratic Society Coordination of Kurdistan (CDK)
* Free Women's Union of Kurdistan (YAJK)
* Workers' Women Party of Kurdistan (PJKK)
* Free Women Party (PJA)
* Free Women's Party of Kurdistan (PAJK)
* Women's Liberation Movement of Kurdistan (KJB)
* Freedom and Democracy Congress of Kurdistan (KADEK)
* People's Congress (Kongra-Gel)
* Confederation Community of Kurdistan (KKK)
* Revolutionary Party of Kurdistan (PŞK)
* Workers Vanguard Party of Kurdistan (PPKK)
* TAK
* KDP/N
* PJAK
* KKP
* Free Youth Movement of Kurdistan (TECAK)
* Marxist–Leninist Communist Party (MLKP)
* Patriotic Revolutionary Youth Movement (YDG-H)
* PIK
* HİK
* KH (Hüda-Par)

|

Allies|

* DHP
* TDP
* ASALA (until the late 1980s)

Political|

* HEP (1990–1993)
* DEP (1993–1994)
* HADEP (1994–2003)
* DEHAP (1997–2005)
* DTH (2005)
* DTP (2005–2009)
* BDP (2008–2014)
* HDP (2012–present)
* DBP (2014–present)
* DEM (2023–present)

The conflict|

| 1974–1984|

* Political violence in Turkey (1976–1980)
* Maraş massacre
* 1980 Turkish coup d'état

|

1984–1999|

* 1984 PKK attacks
* Karageçit
* August 1986 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq
* Ortabağ
* March 1987 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq
* Pınarcık massacre
* Yeşilova incident
* Battle of Şırnak
* 1992 Taşdelen attack
* Battle of Kulp
* Operation Northern Iraq
* May 24, 1993 PKK attack
* Başbağlar massacre
* Lice massacre
* Winter Campaign of 1994–1995
* Operation Steel
* Operation Hawk
* Operation Tokat
* 1996 Tunceli bombing
* Siege of Varto
* Sazak assault
* Operation Hammer
* Operation Dawn
* Operation Murat
* 1999 Istanbul bombings
* Blue Market massacre

1999–2004|

2000 Turkish Hezbollah crackdown

2004–2012|

* 2005 Kuşadası minibus bombing
* 2007 Ankara bombing
* October 2007 clashes in Hakkâri
* December 2007 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq
* 2008 Diyarbakır bombing
* 2008 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq
* 2008 Istanbul bombings
* October 2008 Aktütün attack
* Reşadiye shooting
* 2010 İskenderun attack
* 2010 Hakkâri bus bombing
* 2010 Istanbul bombing
* August 2011 Turkey–Iraq cross-border raids
* 2011 Hakkâri attack
* Roboski massacre
* June–August 2012 Hakkari clashes
* 2012 Gaziantep bombing
* September 2012 Beytüşşebap attack

2015–present|

* 2015 Siirt bombing
* Operation Martyr Yalçın
* 2015 Hakkari assault
* Siege of Silvan (2015)
* Şırnak clashes (2015–2016)
* Siege of Sur (2016)
* February 2016 Lice bombing
* February 2016 Ankara bombing
* March 2016 Ankara bombing
* March 2016 Turkish incursion into northern Iraq
* 2016 Bursa bombing
* May 2016 Dürümlü bombing
* May 2016 Diyarbakır bombing
* 2016 Cizre bombing
* 2016 Elazığ bombing
* Assassination of Deryan Aktert
* December 2016 Istanbul bombings
* 2017 Diyarbakır bombing
* Turkish airstrikes on Sinjar (2018)
* 2018 Siirt raid
* 2018 Gercüş bombing
* 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria
* 2020 İskenderun shootout
* Operation Claw-Eagle 2
* Operation Claw-Lock
* Zakho resort attack
* 2022 Mersin attack
* Operation Claw-Sword
* 2023 Ankara bombing
* October 2023 Northeastern Syria clashes

Protests|

| Serhildan|

* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1999
* 2001
* 2005
* 2006
* 2008
* 2009
* 2011–2012
* 2014

|

Others|

* Mothers of Diyarbakır

Peace process
and peace efforts|

* 1991–2004 Kurdish–Turkish peace initiatives
* 2013–2015 Solution process
* 1993 Kurdistan Workers' Party ceasefire
* Musa Anter peace train
* 2009–2010 Kurdistan Workers' Party ceasefire
* 2025 peace process

Kurdish leaders|

| Insurgent|

* Abdullah Öcalan
* Murat Karayılan
* Cemîl Bayik
* Bahoz Erdal
* Mustafa Karasu
* Duran Kalkan
* Haji Ahmadi
* Osman Öcalan
* Mahsum Korkmaz
* Şemdin Sakık
* Nizamettin Taş
* Mazlum Doğan
* Muhammad Mustafa
* Hüseyin Velioğlu
* Celal Başkale
* İsmail Özden

|

Political|

* Ahmet Fehmi Işıklar
* Yaşar Kaya
* Leyla Zana
* Hatip Dicle
* Orhan Doğan
* Ahmet Türk
* Murat Bozlak
* Tuncer Bakırhan
* Aysel Tuğluk
* Selahattin Demirtaş
* Nurettin Demirtaş
* Ayla Akat Ata
* Gültan Kışanak
* Pervin Buldan
* Emine Ayna
* Sebahat Tuncel
* Kemal Burkay
* Fatma Kurtulan
* Osman Baydemir
* Sırrı Süreyya Önder

Turkish leaders|

| Military|

* Kenan Evren
* Tahsin Şahinkaya
* Bülend Ulusu
* Nurettin Ersin
* Necdet Üruğ
* Necip Torumtay
* Eşref Bitlis
* Doğan Güreş
* İsmail Hakkı Karadayı
* Hüseyin Kıvrıkoğlu
* Hilmi Özkök
* İbrahim Fırtına
* Faruk Cömert
* Yaşar Büyükanıt
* Aydoğan Babaoğlu
* İlker Başbuğ
* Işık Koşaner
* Erdal Ceylanoğlu
* Necdet Özel
* Hayri Kıvrıkoğlu

|

Political|

* Turgut Özal
* Süleyman Demirel
* Bülent Ecevit
* Ali Bozer
* Yıldırım Akbulut
* Mesut Yılmaz
* Erdal İnönü
* Tansu Çiller
* Mesut Yılmaz
* Necmettin Erbakan
* Ahmet Necdet Sezer
* Abdullah Gül
* Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
* Süleyman Soylu

See also|

| Memorials, monuments
and military cemeteries|

* 33 Martyrs Memorial
* Düzce Military Cemetery
* Monument of the Martyrs of Internal Security

|

Other|

* Iraqi–Kurdish conflict
* Kurdish separatism in Iran
* Rojava conflict
* Kurdish rebellions in Turkey
* Kurdish refugees
* Human rights of Kurdish people in Turkey
* Kurdish villages depopulated by Turkey
* Turkish war crimes
* Iraq operations

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template