In a decisive blow to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Turkish National Intelligence Organization (MIT) has reported the successful elimination of Husnu Kumek, also known as Şevger Azad, a prominent PKK figure, in a targeted operation in the Kalar district of Sulaimani province.

Husnu Kumek, who served as the leader of PKK's operations in Kalar, met his fate in a meticulously planned operation conducted by MIT operatives. Sources reveal that Kumek, previously serving as a bodyguard to senior PKK officials Cemil Bayik and Duran Kalkan, played a crucial role in organizing training activities for PKK support circles in Sulaimani and Kalar, within the PKK intelligence network (NLP). His activities had been under close surveillance by MIT agents operating in Sulaimani province.

Kumek's affiliation with the PKK dated back to 1999, where he rose through the ranks, eventually overseeing media activities under Duran Kalkan's command from 2002 to 2003. His demise marks the second major blow to the PKK leadership in Sulaimani, following the recent killing of Gulsun Silgir, also known as Sara Hogir Riha, in the Penjwen district on March 4th.

According to MIT reports, Silgir, responsible for overseeing PKK and Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) youth organizations, was eliminated in a separate operation. Silgir's involvement with the PKK youth organizations began in 2011, evolving into a significant activist role in Sulaimani by 2021.

These targeted operations come amidst Turkey's intensified efforts to root out PKK presence in the Kurdistan Region's mountainous terrains since 2021. The decades-long armed conflict between Turkish forces and the PKK has resulted in a staggering toll on both sides, with tens of thousands losing their lives, including civilians.

The PKK's designation as a terrorist organization by the United States, Turkey, and the European Union, among others, underscores the gravity of the conflict. Despite persistent efforts by sympathizers to delist the group, such endeavors have thus far met with little success.

Turkey's recent operations against PKK leadership underscore its commitment to combating terrorism and maintaining regional stability, while the repercussions of these actions continue to reverberate across the region.