Iraq/Türkiye (MNN) — Türkiye’s latest incursion in northern Iraq “neutralized” at least 11 members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party or PKK. The incursion is part of a more comprehensive operation aimed at removing PKK forces from strategic locations by November 2024.

In describing the PKK’s blended identity, Samuel* with Redemptive Stories says, “First and foremost, they are a political party, but then they do acts of terrorism.”

Listed as a terror group by Türkiye, the U.S., and the E.U., the PKK has killed more than 40,000 people – including civilians – in nearly 40 years of fighting with the Turkish government.

“They are behind various bombings that have occurred in Türkiye, as well as continual incursions from Iraq into Türkiye. Because of that, Türkiye has decided to press in[to northern Iraq], and they’re almost up to Duhok,” Samuel says.

Because PKK camps are Türkiye’s primary focus, Christians aren’t directly in the line of fire. However, “Any rising tension in our region means there’s the potential for expats living in those spaces, serving God [and] the community of Christ, to have to leave,” Samuel explains.

“All of that can have a detrimental effect [on] ongoing ministry.”

Pray believers will have Spirit-led boldness to proclaim the Gospel amid strife. Pray “that people would see again more of the failures of Islam and be challenged to look at what Christ offers, even through His beautiful Sermon on the Mount,” Samuel requests.

“[Pray] that people would see and experience Jesus in dreams and visions, and then they will be called to Him.”

Plus, “there is ongoing work in and around Duhok that is doing amazing things in the Yazidi population,” Samuel adds.

“God is working nicely, so we need to pray for stability so that work may continue.”

*Pseudonym

Header image depicts a Kurdish PKK guerilla in Iraq. (Wikimedia Commons)