Qandil Mountains

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The Qandil Mountains are a region on Iraqi territory in the province of Arbil, near the Iraqi- Iranian border, about 100 km south of Turkey. The region is part of the Zagros Mountains and difficult to access. The highest peaks reach over 3,000 meters.

Its significance from the area by its function as a retreat for the underground organization Kurdistan Workers' Party ( proper name " Partiya Karkerên Kurdistan ," Abbr PKK) and its Iranian sub-organization, the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan ( " Partiya Jiyana Azad a Kurdistanê " Abbr PJAK ). These organizations control a 50 km ² area. In recent years, the area was repeatedly attacked by the Turkish Air Force and Iranian artillery.