| Qandil Mountains | |
|---|---|
| قەندیل Çiyakanî Qendîl | |
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,587 m (11,768 ft) |
| Coordinates | 36°32′28″N 44°59′46″E / 36.54111°N 44.99611°E / 36.54111; 44.99611 |
| Geography | |
  Qandil MountainsArbil, Iraq (near Iraq–Iran border)
| |
| Parent range | Zagros |
The Qandil Mountains (Kurdish: چیایێن قەندیلێ Çiyayên Qendîlê, Arabic: جبل قنديل), are a mountainous area of Kurdistan near the Iran-Iraq border. The region belongs to the Zagros mountain range and is difficult to access, with extremely rugged terrain. The highest peaks reach over 3,000m.
The area is notable as a sanctuary and headquarters for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Approximately 5,000 PKK and other armed factions control an area of roughly 50 km², which has been sporadically bombarded by the Turkish Air Force and shelled by Iranian military artillery for several years. The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) is also based in Qandil, which allows them to infiltrate into Iran.
See also
- Kuhe Haji Ebrahim (highest peak)
References
- Gunter, Michael M. (2010-11-04). Historical Dictionary of the Kurds. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810875074.
External links
- With the P.K.K. in Iraq’s Qandil Mountains by The New York Times
- Interviews with female PKK fighters in Qandil by BBC News
- Mount Qandil: A Safe Haven for Kurdish Militants – Part 1, Part 2
- "We want peace. But we will not surrender". Lower Class Magazin. 2016-05-17. Retrieved 2016-05-18.