Qandil Mountains

The Qandil Mountains (چیایێن قەندیلێ Çiyayên Qendîlê, جبل قنديل), are a mountainous area of Iraq near the Iran-Iraq 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.

The area is notable as a sanctuary and headquarters for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Approximately 5,000 PKK and other armed factions control an area of roughly 50 km², which has been sporadically bombarded by the Turkish Air Force and shelled by Iranian military artillery for several years. The Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK) is also based in Qandil, which allows them to infiltrate into Iran.