The Turkish Military Operation in Iraqi Kurdistan on 15 August 1986: A Historical Study

The partition of Kurdistan and the Kurdish national movement have had a significant impact on the political strategies of neighboring countries, particularly Turkey. Consequently, Turkish policy toward the Kurdish issue has been shaped by political, security, and strategic considerations. This study examines the Turkish military operation conducted in the border regions of Iraqi Kurdistan on 15 August 1986, investigating the political, economic, and security factors that motivated the operation. The study argues that the Kurdish national movement, especially in Iraqi Kurdistan, represented a major concern for Turkey due to its potential influence on the Kurdish population within Turkey. At the same time, the political rapprochement between Iraq and Turkey during that period provided favorable conditions for enhanced military and security cooperation, which facilitated Turkish cross-border military operations into Iraqi territory. The research addresses several key questions: To what extent did the Kurdish national movement influence Turkish policy? How did Turkey perceive the growth of Kurdish political and military activities as a threat to its national security? What were the domestic and regional circumstances surrounding the operation? Finally, what were the political and historical consequences of the Turkish military intervention in Iraqi Kurdistan? Using a historical research methodology, the study concludes that Turkey's military operation was closely linked to its broader security strategy aimed at limiting the expansion of Kurdish movements along its southern border. The operation reflected the convergence of Turkish security interests with the regional political environment and formed part of Turkey's long-term policy toward the Kurdish issue.