STOP making Kurdistan a target for Turkish bombs

[Anthea]

Turkey Claims 15 PKK Neutralized in

Kurdistan and Western Kurdistan

Turkish security forces have neutralized 15 Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters in the Kurdistan Region and northern Syria in recent operations, Turkey’s Defense Ministry reported on Sunday

Seven PKK members were targeted in airstrikes in the Gara region, while four others were hit in Hakurk between Jan. 29 and Feb. 7, the ministry said in a statement on X.

Separately, four PKK fighters were neutralized in northern Syria, the ministry said. “We will continue to respond to terrorist harassment and attack attempts with retaliation,” the statement read.

Turkey uses the term neutralize to indicate that the PKK fighters were killed or arrested. Ankara views the PKK and its Syrian affiliate, the YPG, as terrorist groups and has conducted cross-border military operations against them in both the Kurdistan Region and Syria for years.

The PKK and the Turkish state are in a decades-long military conflict for over four decades over the Kurdish question in Turkey. The armed group has long used the Kurdistan Region as a base for operations.

In northern Syria, Turkey has launched several military offensives since 2016—Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch, and Peace Spring—to counter YPG control near its border and prevent what Ankara calls a terror corridor.

https://www.basnews.com/en/babat/874782

[Anthea]

Duhok’s Rural Communities Call for Peace

Amid Prolonged Turkey-PKK Conflict

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – The council of the village of Goharze, located in the Amedi district of Duhok province, has called on both the Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) to cease their fighting in the area and spare civilians from the ongoing conflict

The prolonged clashes have severely impacted the livelihoods of villagers, leaving them unable to farm or raise livestock.

In a statement issued following the latest round of hostilities on Friday, the mukhtar and village council highlighted the toll that years of conflict have taken on their community.

"The Amedi area in general, and especially the village of Goharze, has become a battleground for the PKK and the Turkish army. This has rendered the villagers incapable of farming and raising livestock, causing anxiety and panic among the citizens," the statement read

Last Friday's clashes came at a particularly distressing time for the villagers.

According to the statement, "The fighting occurred on the second day of the funeral of one of the village residents, during the reception of mourners, which spread sorrow, anxiety, and fear among the villagers—including the elderly, the young, and especially children."

The village council issued a plea to both parties, urging them to take their battles away from civilian areas. "We inform the involved parties that we will not intervene in this war in any form, and we will not exchange the peace and stability of our village for any price."

The statement further emphasized that villagers "reserve the right to file a complaint against anyone who makes baseless accusations against our residents on social media."

Wider Impact of Conflict in the Border Regions

The border areas between the Kurdistan Region and Turkey have been the site of frequent clashes due to Turkish military operations targeting PKK strongholds in the mountains. These operations have led to significant civilian displacement and casualties, with hundreds of families forced to leave their homes.

Since last year, Turkish shelling in the Zebar area alone has resulted in six civilian deaths, prompting further evacuations. Amid these difficult circumstances, the Barzani Charity Foundation has stepped in to assist displaced families, providing essential supplies such as food, blankets, and tents.

"We at the Barzani Charity Foundation felt it was our humanitarian duty to stand by these families and help them," said Biwar Karim, the foundation's representative in Akre.

The ongoing conflict has forced the evacuation of 27 villages within the Dinarata area of Akre, with residents of five additional villages facing imminent displacement if hostilities persist

Official statistics from Duhok province indicate that 274 villages have been evacuated due to the conflict—250 in the Amedi district and 24 in Akre.

Duhok Governor Ali Tatir previously reported that over 250 border villages in his jurisdiction have been emptied due to clashes between Turkish forces and PKK militants.

Additionally, since the beginning of Turkish military operations, around 300 families from villages in the Amedi district have been displaced, with many facing uncertainty over their future.

Four Decades of Conflict and Its Lasting Consequences

The conflict between Turkey and the PKK has persisted for four decades, causing the displacement of residents from approximately 800 villages in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Civilian casualties have numbered in the hundreds, with ongoing airstrikes and ground operations exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation.

Beyond the immediate humanitarian crisis, the conflict has taken a heavy toll on local infrastructure, economic development, and cultural heritage.

The disruption to agriculture and livestock farming—essential to the region's economy—has left many communities struggling to survive

Despite repeated calls by the Kurdistan Regional Government for an end to military operations on its soil to protect civilians, a political resolution to the long-standing conflict remains elusive.

With the fighting showing no signs of abating, fears of further displacement and instability continue to grow in the Kurdistan Region.

https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/82 ... k-conflict

[Anthea]

Turkish army attacked guerrilla areas

with phosphorus bombs

According to the Press Center statement on Sunday, guerrilla tunnels in the Zap region were bombed a total of four times on Thursday and Friday by phosphorus-enriched shells. The target was the underground positions in the resistance massif of Girê Amêdîyê on the strategic western front of Zap

Attacks carried out by the occupying Turkish army with banned explosives

On 6 and 7 March, our tunnels in Girê Amediyê Resistance Area in Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region were bombed 4 times with phosphorus bombs, the use of which is prohibited by international law.

Attacks carried out by the occupying Turkish army

On 6, 7 and 8 March, Turkish warplanes carried out a total of 23 strikes against guerrilla areas, targeting the areas of Lolan and Goşînê Xakurkê region 5 times; the areas of Xêrê, Girê Reşîd, Deşta Kafya, Mêranê, Dêreşê, Bêbadê, Xaleta, Girê Babîl, Deşta Kafya 14 times; the areas of Serê Metîna and Bêşîlî in Metîna region twice; Girê Cûdî Resistance Area in Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region twice.

On 7 and 8 March, the Girê Bahar Resistance Area in the Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region was bombed 11 times by attack helicopters.

On 6, 7 and 8 March, the Turkish army carried out 919 heavy weaponry, artillery and howitzer attacks against guerrilla areas, targeting the areas of Berê Zînê, Şehîd Şerîf, Lolan and Kendekola in Xakurkê region 53 times; the areas of Girê Reşîd, Dêreşê, Girgaşê, Spîndarê, Mijê, Mêranê, Girê Zengil, Deriyê Hirçê and Zêvkê in Garê region 196 times; the areas of Serê Metîna, Bêşîlî and Şêlazê in Metîna region 151 times; the areas of Girê Amediyê and Girê Bahar in Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region 519 times.

Şehîd Delîl Western Zap region;

On 6 March, guerrillas hit and damaged a DShK heavy machine gun that bombarded our tunnels in Girê Amediyê Resistance Area.

In the Maku region of Rojhilatê (Eastern) Kurdistan, some counter-guerrilla forces in guerrilla uniforms are collecting money from the people by introducing themselves as guerrillas. Our people should be cautious and pay no attention to such counter-guerrilla activities.”