Türkiye closes its airspace for flights to and from Suleymaniye Airport in northern Iraq, following a series of incidences that are viewed as reflections of intensified PKK activities in the region. The decision came after two mysterious helicopters carrying PKK-linked terrorists from the YPG-controlled city of al-Hasakah in Northern Syria using an irregular flight route to reach Sulaimaniyah and crashed in Dohuk, killing all those on board. The incident fueled Ankara's claims that the PKK had infiltrated Sulaymaniyah airport. The closure follows a similar ban placed back in 2017 after Turkey criticized continued PKK activities in the area. Ankara has launched several operations against the PKK and its affiliates in recent years, including Operation Claw-Sword in Northern Syria and Iraq.