[11] In retaliation, the Turkish Air Force began striking PKK camps in northern Iraq,[12] beginning a new phase of the Turkey–PKK conflict.

The first armed incident in Şırnak Province took place on 28 July when the Turkish Air Force bombed PKK fighters in the countryside.

On 4 August, PKK forces attacked a guard post in Şırnak Province with an RPG, killing one soldier and injuring another.

[15] On 7 August, Turkish Police clashed with PKK and YDG-H forces in Silopi, Cizre and Uludere and PKK-affiliated militants hijacked a minibus in Beytüşşebap.

[25] which were followed by large scale military operations by the Turkish forces launched on the 15 December against the YDG-H militias who set up barricades in the towns.