Terrorist organization PKK evacuates Gara in fear of Turkish military

PKK terrorist organization is evacuating Gara in fear of Türkiye’s impending military operation, which aims to deliver a blow to terrorism in Iraq.

The organization is reportedly moving its archives from Gara, known as the “second Qandil,” to Syria. Türkiye’s preparations for a large-scale operation to eliminate the PKK threat in Iraq, with the support of the Baghdad administration, have frightened the terrorist organization and its supporters.

The northern Iraq region, where Turkish forces hold strategic points, has seen increased movement, particularly along the Suleimaniyah-Erbil-Qamishli corridor, where air and ground traffic has intensified. Turkish security sources indicate that preparations for a strike against terrorism are nearly complete.

Reports suggest that the PKK is transferring its internal archives and records of international supporters from its base in Gara, which contains over 40 archive rooms, to other regions. Some secret documents are said to have been moved to the Shaddadi and Rimeylan areas in Syria.

Fear of exposure 

Gara, a region the PKK values as much as Qandil, is the second most visited center by terrorist leaders such as Karayilan, Bayik, and Hozat. Almost all meetings between the PKK and foreign missions also take place in Gara.

Gara, which serves as the PKK’s media and information base, is also the gateway to Syria and the starting point for the Sinjar-Mosul route. All high-level trials and executions take place in this area, which is inaccessible to ordinary militants.

Security sources stated that dozens of foreign mission representatives, primarily from Western countries such as France, Germany, Greece, Canada, the U.S., the U.K., Denmark, and Belgium, have visited Gara to meet with PKK leaders.

During the transfer, coalition elements provided land and air support to the PKK, citing Türkiye’s determination to carry out the operation and the potential exposure of dark networks once Turkish forces enter the region, according to Turkish sources.

Iran’s sabotage efforts 

An Iraqi-Suleimaniyah source recalled National Defense Minister Yaşar Güler’s recent remarks about Iran, “Iran is trying to sabotage this operation using insidious methods. Nechirvan Barzani’s recent invitation to Tehran was a tactical move. They are attempting to hinder the Turkish military operation through the Baghdad administration, which they influence, as well as the PUK-KDP and Hashd al-Shaabi. This operation also aims to secure the Development Road, which Iran does not want to see completed, nor does it want Türkiye to increase its military presence in the region.”

Air and ground encirclement 

The upcoming operation, described as the final move in the Claw Operations series, will cover a depth of 40 to 45 kilometers and a length of 300 kilometers in northern Iraq. The Turkish army and intelligence have significantly increased their precautions against infiltration, mines and tunnel traps, kamikaze attacks, and missile strikes.

Targeting to eliminate all terrorist elements from areas such as Metina, Zap, Soran, Hakurk, Duhok, Erbil, Makhmour, and Gara, Türkiye is striking all terrorist positions with bombers, helicopters, and UAVs.

Missile and artillery batteries deployed along the border and inside Iraq also support the air operations. Retired Colonel Mithat Işık, a seasoned expert in the region, stated that this is a meticulously planned encirclement operation.

Emphasizing the increased panic within the PKK due to unexpected moves by the Turkish army, Işık said, “We see that serious measures are being taken against any infiltration or attack possibility. Hopefully, we will rid ourselves of this terrorist filth without any harm coming to our soldiers.”