The Turkish military launched a large ground and air offensive reportedly aimed at Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets in the Metina, Zap, and Avashin regions in Iraqi Kurdistan on 23 April. Politicians from Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan spoke about the operations and condemned Turkey for the attacks.
Dr Mehmûd Osman, a politician from Iraqi Kurdistan, said that Turkey is aiming to Turkify the region. “This is racism,” he added. Osman noted that “Turkey’s aim is not only to target the PKK, but also to occupy Kurdistan” and criticised the Iraqi government for remaining silent.
“There might be a secret deal between Iraq and Turkey,” he said. “Iraqi Kurdistan is also remaining silent about the attacks. Both the Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan governments should take action against Turkey’s offensive,” he added,
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) executive member Aram Qadir stated that they want to work for a solution to the problems between Turkey and the Kurds.
“The PKK is open to any attempt towards a solution, but Turkey is the one that wants war,” he said. He emphasised the importance of national unity among Kurds.
Iraqi parliamentarian Muhammed Beldawi criticised the Iraqi media for not reflecting the news of clashes in Iraqi Kurdistan accurately.
