The Qandil mountains of northern Iraq, one of the areas from which the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) has pursued guerrilla action in a 25-year campaign for a Kurdish independent state. The PKK has now offered to drop its demand in return for a negotiated settlement to end its war with Turkey
Dilsha, front, a PKK guerrilla, with the women of her unit in a valley below the Qandil mountains. Dilsha has been in the PKK since 1995 and has spoken to her family only once in that time
PKK guerrillas during a drill in a valley below the Qandil mountains in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
Dilsha a PKK guerrilla since 1995, leads her unit in a drill in a valley below the Qandil mountains. an area known for its magnificent scenery and wild flowers
PKK guerrillas during a drill in a valley below the Qandil mountains in the Kurdistan region of Iraq
A PKK guerrilla makes tea in a valley below the Qandil mountains
About 40 per cent of PKK fighters are women
The PKK is popular among Kurdish women because of its views on equality
Murad Karayilan, leader of the PKK, at a secret location in the Qandil mountains. His organisation has announced that it is willing to enter peace negotiations with Turkey
The jailed former PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan is still revered among the organisation, as illustrated by a shrine at asecret base in the Qandil mountains
