In a move stirring regional tensions, Turkey has prolonged its travel ban to Sulaimani International Airport (SIA) in the Kurdistan Region, with the restriction now set to endure until June 22, as confirmed by Handren Hiwa, the SIA director.

Originally instituted in April for a three-month period, the ban was initially imposed, with Ankara alleging the airport's role as a "hub" for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group long considered a staunch adversary by the Turkish government. A subsequent extension in July, for an additional six months, was set to conclude on January 3.

Sulaimani officials vigorously deny the accusations, asserting that the airport serves exclusively civilian purposes. The ban encompasses the closure of Turkish airspace to all flights to and from SIA.

This marks a recurrence of tensions between Turkey and the Kurdistan Region, reminiscent of a previous instance when Ankara halted flights to Sulaimani for over a year following the Kurdistan Region’s independence referendum in September 2017.

Initially encompassing both Erbil and Sulaimani airports, the international travel ban imposed by Baghdad played a role in this suspension. However, when Baghdad lifted its ban in March 2018, Turkey opted to resume flights exclusively to Erbil, excluding Sulaimani.

During that time, Turkey claimed that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Gorran (Change) Movement, the two primary political entities in the Sulaimani province, were allegedly supporting the PKK. The ban was eventually lifted in January 2019.

The ongoing conflict between Turkey and the PKK has spanned several decades, with Turkey conducting numerous ground and aerial military operations against the Kurdish militants within the Kurdistan Region. These operations have resulted in tens of thousands of casualties.

Turkey, leveraging its advanced drone industry, has escalated its efforts in recent years by conducting targeted assassinations of suspected PKK members, even within urban centers, including Sulaimani and the Garmiyan areas. The situation continues to be a source of contention and instability in the region.