Turkey: IED blast kills one soldier in Silopi district (Şırnak province) March 20

Event

An improvised explosive device (IED) reportedly detonated in Silopi district (Şırnak province) on Wednesday, March 20, killing one soldier and wounding one other. The incident took place while Turkish troops were conducting a military operation targeting PKK militants in the region. Similar incidents targeting the Turkish military are possible in Silopi district over the near term.

Context

Turkey has faced a Kurdish insurgency since 1984, spearheaded by the PKK, which was renewed in 2015 following the dissolution of a ceasefire. The conflict has left over 40,000 people dead since 1984 and associated violence continues to pose a significant security risk in southeastern Turkey. The Turkish military has increasingly targeted PKK militants outside Turkish borders in recent months and its forces have reportedly killed dozens of PKK militants in northern Iraq since the beginning of their offensive against Kurdish militants in the region in March 2018.

Advice

Individuals in Silopi district are advised to monitor developments to the situation, remain vigilant for militant activity, report all suspicious objects or behavior to the police, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities. Some governments advise against nonessential travel to these four provinces due to the underlying security threat.