Kurd guerrillas return to bases
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jerusalem - Turkish Kurd guerrillas are already returning to their old camps in northern Iraq - notably their stronghold in the Khwakurk valley - in the wake of the withdrawal of 20,000 Turkish soldiers over the last week, writes Patrick Cockburn.
Iraqi Kurds say the ability of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) units to move back so swiftly underlines the failure of the Turkish forces to inflict serious casualties on them.
Although the Turkish media portrayed the invasion on 20 March as leading to heavy fighting, there are few signs that Turkish troops ever seriously confronted the 2,500 PKK guerrillas reported to be in northern Iraq. Turkish officers on the ground admitted that even with their 35,000 troops they could not find their opponents in the mountains and gorges of Iraqi Kurdistan.
The Turkish withdrawal started last Thursday, although Ankara waited several days before announcing it. Iraqi Kurdish sources say Turkish troops have pulled out of strategic positions in and around the Khwakurk valley close to the Iranian border
Turkey wants the Iraqi Kurds, grouped in the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), to police the border. In return, they would receive economic aid and weapons. But obstacles to this plan include the virtual civil war between the KDP and the PUK.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments