Qandil Mountains
قەندیل
Çiyakanî Qendîl
Highest point
Elevation3,587 m (11,768 ft)
Coordinates36°32′28″N 44°59′46″E / 36.54111°N 44.99611°E / 36.54111; 44.99611
Geography
Qandil Mountains is located in Iraq
Qandil Mountains
Qandil Mountains
Arbil, Iraq (near IraqIran border)
Parent rangeZagros

The Qandil Mountains (Kurdish: چیای قەندیل Çiyayên Qendîl, Arabic: جبل قنديل), are a mountainous area of Iraq near the Iran-Iraq 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 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 military artillery for several years. The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) is also based in Qandil, which allows them to infiltrate into Iran.[1]

See also

References

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