Turkey: Military to conduct drills along Iraqi border Sep. 18-26

Event

On Monday, September 18, around 100 Turkish military vehicles carrying missiles and howitzers began participating in military drills near the Habur border gate along the Turkish-Iraqi border. The drills were launched a week before a planned Kurdish independence referendum on September 25, which Turkey opposes. Turkey has condemned attempts by Kurdish separatists to organize the referendum, which it considers illegal and a threat to its national security. Although it is unclear what (if any) measures the Turkish government will take against the Kurds if the referendum is held, these drills are expected to run until Tuesday, September 26, a day after the vote.

Similarly, Iran has warned of serious retaliation if the vote goes ahead, and Iraq’s Supreme Court has ordered that it be suspended.

Despite repeated threats by neighboring governments, Kurdish separatists affirm the referendum will take place as planned, on Monday, September 25.

Context

Kurdish separatists have waged a three-decade long insurgency in Turkey, spearheaded by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) – a group multiple countries regard as a terrorist organization. Since 2015, clashes between Kurdish militants, notably the PKK, and government security forces have increased after the collapse of a longstanding ceasefire.

Kurdistan separatists in neighboring northern Iraq have repeatedly called for independence and have attempted multiple times to organize a referendum since 2014. Support for the referendum gained momentum after Baghdad abandoned certain areas in northern Iraq to the Islamic State (IS). Kurdish forces, financed by the US, eventually pushed back IS and established de facto control over the areas.

Advice

Individuals in the area are advised to remain vigilant, to keep abreast of the situation, and to avoid all areas where military drills or operations are taking place. Potential protests linked to the referendum should also be strictly avoided. Due to the Turkish government's ongoing conflicts with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as well as the Islamic State (IS), most Western governments advise against all travel to areas along the Syrian and Iraqi borders, as well as nonessential travel to the provinces of Şırnak, Gaziantep, Diyarbakir, Mardin, Şanlıurfa, Kilis, Hatay, Siirt, Tunceli, and Hakkâri.