Rocket Attack Targets Turkish Military Base in Northern Iraq
A Turkish military base in northern Iraq was targeted by a
cluster of rockets, according to officials from the semi-autonomous Kurdish
region in northern Iraq. The attack was promptly claimed by an Iranian-backed
militia. The Turkish defense ministry confirmed that there was no damage or
injury at the base, but provided no further information. According to a
statement, at least eight rockets were fired at the Zilkan military base, with
two hitting the base itself.
Defense Minister Hulusi Akar played down the incident,
stating that the base is frequently targeted, but the Turkish soldiers remain
resolute in their fight. Turkey has been conducting military operations in the
region for some time, with the aim of battling the banned Kurdistan Workers'
Party (PKK). The PKK has established sanctuaries in the region and has been the
target of frequent Turkish airstrikes.
In addition to operations against the PKK, Turkey is also an
ally in the U.S.-led anti-Islamic State (IS) campaign and was part of the war
against the IS group, which took control of much of the area in 2014. Turkey
has set up several military bases in the region, much to the chagrin of Iraqi
officials and some in the regional Iraqi Kurdish government, which has not
officially condemned the Turkish troop presence.
The Zilkan base, established in 2015 during the war against
IS, is located near the city of Mosul and has occasionally been targeted in
rocket attacks. The Iraqi government has repeatedly denounced Turkey's military
presence as illegal. After the attack, the Islamic Resistance Ahrar al-Iraq
Brigade, part of Iraq's pro-government, Iran-backed Popular Mobilization
Forces, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.