Qandil Mountains

Qandil Mountains
قەندیل
Çiyakanî Qendîl
Qandil Mountains
Arbil, Iraq (near Iraq–Iran border)
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; 44.99611Coordinates: 36°32′28″N 44°59′46″E / 36.54111°N 44.99611°E / 36.54111; 44.99611 
Geography
Location Arbil, Iraq (near Iraq–Iran border)
Parent range Zagros

The Qandil Mountains (Kurdish: چیای قەندیل‎ Çiyayên Qendîl), are a mountainous area of Iraqi Kurdistan near the Iraq-Iran 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 Kurdish group 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 artillery for several years. The group Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) is also stationed in Qandil alongside the PKK, which allows them to infiltrate into Iran. The main leader in the area is Murat Karayılan.[1]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Gunter, Michael M. (2010-11-04). Historical Dictionary of the Kurds. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 9780810875074.
  • 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.
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