Turkey has carried out airstrikes against a convoy of Sinjar Resistance Units that included some operatives from the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Kurdistan 24 reported Aug. 16.

Why It Matters: Recent tensions with the United States could increase Turkey's willingness to lash out against various Kurdish militant groups in Sinjar and Syria. The attacks on U.S.-backed Kurdish forces also serve as a reminder, among other things, to Washington of the importance of cooperating with Ankara.

Background: Turkey is concerned by the PKK presence in Sinjar but has refrained from aggressive action because of Iraqi and U.S. opposition to Turkish operations there.