Since 1992, Turkey has repeatedly attacked the region militarily. According to Turkey, the official targets are the PKK's bases. However, the attacks also repeatedly result in civilian casualties. The two parties, the Democratic Party of Kurdistan (PDK) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), are loyal to Turkey and have a lot of influence on politics and the economy, according to local activists. For this reason, local Kurdish youth repeatedly organize protests.
The Kandil Mountains, one of the most important retreats of the PKK, which is classified as a terrorist organization in numerous countries. The "Kandils," an area of around 50 square kilometers, are organized according to the principles of Democratic Confederalism - a concept of Abdullah Öcalan that is also considered a guiding political concept in the northern Syrian regions of Rojava.