PKK militants engaged in violent struggle against Turkish state since the same year . Group calls for establishment of an autonomous Turkish homeland . Estimated to have killed 12 in attacks on Turkish forces , civilians . The establishment of a `` no-fly zone '' over northern Iraq following the first Gulf War in 1991 also allowed Turkish troops to conduct frequent raids on PKK strongholds across the border . Iraq accuses PKK of attacking Turkish targets from bases in northern Turkey .
PKK militants engaged in violent struggle against Turkish state since the same year . Group calls for establishment of an autonomous Turkish homeland . Estimated to have killed 12 in attacks on Turkish forces , civilians . Iraq accuses PKK of attacking Turkish targets from bases in northern Turkey .