Turkey’s geographical location at the crossroads of Europe and Asia has put it at the center of many conflicts throughout history. Even today, Turkey finds itself involved in several military confrontations both within its borders and beyond. So is Turkey currently engaged in any wars? Let’s take a closer look at Turkey’s major ongoing conflicts.
The PKK Insurgency
One of Turkey’s longest internal conflicts has been against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), a militant Kurdish nationalist group that has been fighting for Kurdish independence since 1984 The PKK is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union Over 40,000 lives have been lost in this conflict so far.
Although the intensity of the conflict has fluctuated over the decades it continues to this day. In recent years Turkey has conducted numerous military operations against PKK bases in northern Iraq while the PKK has carried out deadly terror attacks within Turkey. Just this year, Turkey launched a new ground offensive called Operation Claw-Lock in northern Iraq in April. It has maintained small-scale airstrikes and ground operations against PKK targets in 2022.
Turkish Intervention in Syria
Turkey has actively intervened militarily in the ongoing Syrian civil war since 2016. Turkey’s operations have mainly focused on northern Syria where it is targeting Kurdish militant groups like the YPG, which it considers an extension of the PKK. Turkey has conducted four major operations in Syria:
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Euphrates Shield (2016-2017): Turkey captured areas along its border from ISIS and Kurdish forces.
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Olive Branch (2018): Captured the Kurdish-held enclave of Afrin.
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Peace Spring (2019): Seized the border towns of Ras al-Ayn and Tel Abyad from Kurdish militias.
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Spring Shield (2020): A brief operation against Syrian forces in Idlib.
Although Turkey has not carried out any new ground offensives in Syria in 2022, it maintains a military presence in northern Syria and has conducted some airstrikes against Kurdish militants. So Turkey remains militarily involved in the Syrian conflict.
Interventions in Iraq
Aside from its conflict with the PKK, Turkey has also intervened militarily in neighboring Iraq. In 2020, Turkey targeted PKK positions in northern Iraq in Operations Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle. And as mentioned earlier, it launched Operation Claw-Lock this year.
Turkey also frequently conducts airstrikes against PKK targets deep inside Iraq. Just this month, Turkey announced a major aerial offensive called Operation Claw-Sword targeting PKK bases in Iraq and Syria.
So Iraq continues to be an active battleground for Turkish military operations against the PKK.
Proxy Wars in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh
While not directly involved militarily, Turkey has engaged in proxy conflicts by supporting allies in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh.
In the Libyan civil war, Turkey provided extensive military aid and mercenary fighters to the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) starting 2019. This helped turn the tide of the war in the GNA’s favor, leading to a ceasefire in 2020.
Similarly, in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Turkey equipped and supported Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan’s victory in this war was partly attributed to Turkey’s military backing.
So while Turkey did not deploy its own troops in these conflicts, it was deeply involved through proxies.
War on ISIS
Turkey was part of the international coalition against ISIS and conducted operations against ISIS targets within Syria and Iraq starting in 2014. This included allowing coalition forces to use Turkish air bases for strikes on ISIS.
Although ISIS has now largely been defeated territorially, Turkey maintains operations against remaining ISIS fighters and cells. In May 2022, the Turkish military announced anti-terror operations targeting ISIS sleeper cells in Syria.
So Turkey continues to contribute militarily to the fight against any ISIS resurgence.
Support for Ukraine Against Russia
In the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Turkey has walked a fine line between Russia and Ukraine. It has not joined Western sanctions on Russia but provided Ukraine with arms like drones. It also invoked a treaty to block Russian warships from entering the Black Sea.
While Turkey is not directly involved in the fighting, its military aid to Ukraine and naval blockade against Russia makes it an active participant in this conflict. However, Turkey is also negotiating with both sides and has offered to host peace talks, indicating its complex and delicate balancing role.
Asia: 21 Armed Conflicts
Asia is the theatre of 19 non-international armed conflicts (NIACs) involving 19 armed groups. These are happening in Afghanistan, India, Myanmar, Pakistan and The Philippines.
Two international armed conflicts – between respectively India and Pakistan, and between India and China – are also taking place in the region.
‘Pakistan and the Philippines are on the top of the list with six NIACs for each country. In Pakistan, governmental forces are fighting various armed groups acting throughout the territory, particularly Taliban-affiliated groups in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and independence fighters in Balochistan. In the Philippines, most NIACs are taking place in the Mindanao region where government forces are fighting against several armed groups, including the Moro National Liberation Front, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters, the Maute Group and the Abu Sayyaf Group’ explains Dr Chiara Redealli.
© ICRC
Africa: More than 35 Armed Conflicts
Western powers and/or neighbouring countries are intervening in the NIACs that take place in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Somalia.
‘CAR is on the top of the list with several NIACs involving multiple armed groups. The Government is involved in NIACs against a wide array of rebel groups, including the anti-Balaka and the ex-Séléka. There are also parallel non-international armed conflicts due to the infighting between various armed groups’ underlines Dr Redealli.
© UN Photo/Stuart Price Burkina Faso,
Western powers and/or neighbouring countries are intervening in the NIACs that take place in Burkina Faso, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Somalia.
‘CAR is on the top of the list with several NIACs involving multiple armed groups. The Government is involved in NIACs against a wide array of rebel groups, including the anti-Balaka and the ex-Séléka. There are also parallel non-international armed conflicts due to the infighting between various armed groups’ underlines Dr Redealli.”>
Turkey might enter Israel to help Palestinians: Erdogan
FAQ
Is Turkey in danger right now?
What country is Turkey at war with?
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Conflict
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Turkey and allies
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Opponents
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Turkish involvement in the Syrian civil war (2011–present)
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Turkey Syrian opposition
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Syrian Democratic Forces IFB Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Syrian Arab Republic Russia Iran Libyan National Army Hezbollah
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Did Russia and Turkey go to war?
Is Turkey no longer a US ally?
Will Turkey exacerbate the war in Ukraine?
ANKARA, March 12 (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday any steps that would exacerbate the war in Ukraine and possibly spread the conflict to NATO must be avoided, adding he would host Russian President Vladimir Putin after elections later this month. NATO member Turkey supports Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Is turkey ready to avoid a war?
Turkey was “ready to do whatever is necessary” to avoid a war, Erdogan said on Wednesday night during a televised interview. “I hope that Russia will not make an armed attack or occupy Ukraine. Such a step will not be a wise act for Russia or the region,” he said.
Is Turkey at war with Kurdish militants?
The Turkish state has been at war with Kurdish militants based in the country’s southeast for decades, although the level of violence has ebbed and flowed.
Should Turkey be able to mediate a war?
If Turkey can use its unique position to mediate an end to fighting or facilitate aid and evacuations, it is an opportunity for the president to demonstrate the country’s strategic importance and diplomatic clout. But the growing instability in the region and the risk of a wider war show the dangers of getting the balance wrong.