As the military operation launched by Turkey against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Metina, Avaşin, and Zap (also known as the Medya Defence Zones) in Iraqi Kurdistan continues, people of the region continue to protest the attacks.
Villagers from the Westan village of Iraqi Kurdistan gathered for Iftar to end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset. During the Iftar they discussed the ongoing attacks in their region and condemned Turkey for the operations there.
Another criticism came from the Kurdistan Communist Party member Cehwer Şikûr. He described Turkey’s attacks as an occupation of their territory and called on the Iraqi government to ask Turkey to leave its territory.
Kurdish refugees settling in the Mexmur Refugee camp also organised a press release regarding the attacks.
“Turkey states they have no problem with the Kurds but with the PKK,” they said. “But was there a PKK when Turkey murdered Kurdish leaders such as Sheikh Said, Seyit Riza, Ihsan Nuri, and Simko? This is simply deceiving the Kurds.”
The press release continued: “Now, thousands of tanks are attacking Southern Kurdistan and Rojava with their cannons and weapons and displacing the people.” The Kurdish refugees urged village guards in the region to stop working for Turkey and giving information for money.