Elevation 3,587 m (11,768 ft) Range Zagros Mountains | Parent range Zagros | |
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Location Arbil, Iraq (near Iraq–Iran border) | ||
The Qandil Mountains (Arabic: قندیل Qendeel), are a mountainous area of Iraqi Kurdistan near the Iraq-Iran border. The region belongs to the Zagros mountain range and is difficult to access, with extremely rugged terrain. The highest peaks reach over 3,000m.
Map of Qandil Mountains, Iraq
The area is notable as a sanctuary and headquarters for the Kurdish leftist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Approximately 5,000 PKK and other armed guerrilla factions control an area of roughly 50 km², which has been sporadically bombarded by the Turkish Air Force and shelled by Iranian artillery for several years. The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) is also stationed in Qandil alongside the PKK, which allows them to infiltrate into Iran. The main Kurdish leader in the area is Murat Karayılan.