Qandil mountains

Qandil Mountains
قەندیل Çiyakanî Qendîl
Qandil Mountains Arbil, Iraq (near Iraq–Iran border)
Highest point
Elevation	3,587 m (11,768 ft)
Coordinates	36°32′28″N 44°59′46″E / 36.54111°N 44.99611°E / 36.54111; 44.99611Coordinates: 36°32′28″N 44°59′46″E / 36.54111°N 44.99611°E / 36.54111; 44.99611
Geography
Location	Arbil, Iraq (near Iraq–Iran border)
Parent range	Zagros

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.

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.