A drone attack in northern Iraq‘s Sulaimaniyah region has resulted in the death of a Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) member and injured another. The incident occurred on Saturday morning, marking the first attack of its kind in months. According to security sources and local officials, the drone targeted a motorcycle carrying two individuals in a border village within the district, killing one and injuring the other.
“The two individuals were riding a motorcycle when they were targeted. One was killed, and the other sustained injuries,” said Hemin Ibrahim, mayor of Penjwen, in Sulaimaniyah. No group or country has claimed responsibility for the attack.
This incident comes as the PKK has begun its disarmament process, ending its 40-year armed campaign against the Turkish state. Last Friday, a small ceremony was held in Sulaimaniyah where 20 to 30 PKK fighters destroyed their weapons in a symbolic process conducted under tight security. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the disarmament, stating it marked “an important step towards our goal of a terror-free Turkey”.
A Turkish parliamentary commission is expected to define conditions for the reintegration of PKK fighters into civilian and political life in Turkey. The PKK’s decision to abandon its armed struggle follows decades of attacks and failed peace talks. Over 40,000 people were killed in the fighting between 1984 and 2024, with thousands of Kurds fleeing violence in southeastern Turkey.
The disarmament process is expected to unfold throughout the summer, with the aim of creating a more peaceful environment in the region. However, the recent drone attack raises concerns about potential spoilers to this process. As the situation continues to develop, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the fragile peace.