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2021 Shia militia attacks on Turkey

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2021 Shia militia attacks on Turkey
Part of the Iraqi conflict, the Iran–Turkey proxy conflict, the Kurdistan Workers' Party insurgency
Date2021–2022
LocationNineveh Governorate, Iraq
Result Shia militias successfully deter Turkish intervention
Belligerents
Iraq Popular Mobilization Forces
Islamic Resistance in Iraq
Supported by:
 Iran		  Turkey

The 2021 Shia militia attacks on Turkey were a series of attacks launched by various militias within the Popular Mobilization Forces and the Islamic Resistance in Iraq in 2021, targeting Turkey and its presence in Iraq. The attacks continued until 2022.

History

In early 2021, Turkey launched Operation Claw-Eagle 2 against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan, sparking the reaction of Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq, which threatened military action against Turkey. Kata'ib Hezbollah also held protests outside the Turkish embassy. Turkey also threatened to invade Sinjar and threatened the PKK and its allies in the region. After the 2017 Iraqi–Kurdish conflict, Sinjar was captured by the Shia militias. The Shia militias were in a tactical alliance with the PKK and YBŞ. In addition to the large PMF and Shia militia presence in Sinjar, three more PMF brigades were sent to the region to bolster its fighters.

On 15 February, Ashab al-Kahf claimed responsibility for an airstrike on a Turkish base in Mosul, in retaliation for the operations against the PKK.

Kata'ib Hezbollah issued a statement threatening Turkey if it did not fully withdraw from Iraq and cease its operations. Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba and Badr Organization also threatened to attack Turkey. The militia hostility to Turkey was perceived as an indirect Iranian warning to Turkey against the PKK operations, with Turkish media claiming that Iran supported the PKK, and that Iran had relations with the PKK and the PUK to undermine the KDP and Turkey.

On 23 February, Iraj Masjedi, Iranian ambassador to Iraq, claimed that "Turkish forces should not pose a threat or violate Iraqi soil", and criticized Turkish presence in Iraq. On 27 February, Fatih Yıldız, Turkish ambassador to Iraq, stated that Masjedi should be "the last person to lecture Turkey about respecting borders of Iraq". As the Shia militias were coordinating various attacks on American presence in Iraq, they had limited resources. However, after the end of the US coalition mission in Iraq in December 2021, the militias began to attack Turkey on a larger scale.

In 2022, the Shia militia attacks on Turkish positions had quadrupled. The attacks were launched by many different Shia militias from different places. In April 2022, Turkey launched Operation Claw-Lock, causing more retaliatory militia airstrikes on Turkish bases, which increased between May and July 2022. The PKK announced a unilateral ceasefire after earthquakes in Syria, while the militias gradually targeted KRG oil pipes which led to Turkey. After an attack in Bashiqa which killed a Turkish soldier, as well as the show of force by the Shia militias, the Turkish government was seen as reluctant to engage the Shia militias. Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu referred to the Shia militias as "militias that support the PKK". The attacks were seen as a success of the Shia militias in deterring a Turkish intervention in Sinjar.

References

  1. Aslan, Dilara (2021-03-07). "Turkey-Iran tensions on rise ahead of possible Sinjar operation". Daily Sabah. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  2. "Profile: Raba Allah | The Washington Institute". www.washingtoninstitute.org. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
  3. "Erdogan threatens to launch military operation against PKK in Iraq's Sinjar". Middle East Monitor. 2021-01-23. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  4. "Iraq: Stabilising the Contested District of Sinjar | Crisis Group". www.crisisgroup.org. 2022-05-31. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  5. "ألوية من الحشد الشعبي وفصيلان شيعيان "على حين غرة" صوب جبهة سنجار". شفق نيوز (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  6. "Iraqi group launches missile attack on Turkish military base". 15 February 2021.
  7. "Will Iranian-backed militias attack Turkey in Iraq? - analysis". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2022-02-07. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  8. "Why Iran is shielding the PKK in Iraq". Why Iran is shielding the PKK in Iraq.
  9. Alaaldin, Ranj (2024-12-12). "Iran Is Exploiting Divisions and U.S. Inaction in Iraqi Kurdistan". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  10. "ألوية من الحشد الشعبي وفصيلان شيعيان "على حين غرة" صوب جبهة سنجار". شفق نيوز (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  11. "Turkey must leave Iraq, respect borders: Iranian ambassador". Rudaw. 23 February 2021.
  12. "Turkey summons Iran envoy over remarks on Iraq operations". www.aljazeera.com.
  13. "Combat mission of international coalition in Iraq has ended - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  14. "Combat mission of international coalition in Iraq has ended - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012". www.al-monitor.com. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  15. العزاوي, أنس (2022-07-26). "قصف حقل "كورمور" الغازي بكردستان العراق مجددا.. من المستفيد؟". الحل نت (in Arabic). Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  16. "Iranian-Backed Iraqi Militias Deter Turkish Intervention in Sinjar". jamestown.org. Retrieved 2024-12-11.
  17. "Dışişleri Bakanı Çavuşoğlu: Afganistan konferansı ramazan ayı sonrasına ertelendi". www.aa.com.tr. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
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