Turkey strikes Syria, Iraq after Ankara attack
Turkey on Oct. 23 said it launched air-strikes on supposed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets in Syria's Rojava autonomous enclave and Iraq's Kurdistan region in retaliation for an attack on the headquarters of a defense contractor in Ankara. Five were killed and two attackers reported "neutralized" in the explosion and armed assault at the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAS) facility in Ankara's Kahramankazan district. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Turkish authorities quickly blamed the PKK. Strikes were reported on the Rojava towns of Qamishli, Derik, Kobane, Tal Rifaat, and Manbij. Rojava's autonomous authorities said that at least four civilians were killed, including a five-year-old child, and 15 people injured. (Rudaw)
Phased withdrawal from Turkish base in Iraq planned
Iraq and Türkiye have agreed to the gradual withdrawal of Turkish fighters from a military base in northern Iraq, according to a joint statement. Bashiqa has long been a point of contention between the neighbours, with Türkiye first establishing the base in 2015 to fight the so-called Islamic State through an agreement with the semi-autonomous Kurdish government. No timeline for the withdrawal has been announced. (TNH)