Turkey’s military offensive in Iraqi Kurdistan, launched on 15 June, represents a significant escalation in its regional operations, according to a new dossier released on Friday by the Kurdistan National Congress (KNK).
The report states that since the offensive began, Turkey has conducted 381 bombardments, burned over 68,000 hectares of farmland and displaced nine villages, including seven with Christian populations.
“Turkey has established ten new military bases in the regions of Amediye, Zaxo and Soran. They also include checkpoints for checking civilians, identity papers and vehicles,” the KNK dossier reveals.
The KNK argues that the deployment of tanks and construction of new military bases point to a long-term annexation policy by Turkey, with over 110 military bases now extending up to 35 kilometres inside Iraqi territory.
“The invasion by NATO member Turkey, which violates international law, is largely ignored by European politicians and the Western media, while the USA has given Turkey a de facto ‘green light’,” the report states.
The dossier criticises the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) for supporting Turkey’s offensive, describing the party as “politically and economically dependent on Ankara”.
The KNK calls for international pressure on Turkey to promote negotiations with Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan, who has been held in isolation for 25 years in a Turkish prison, to ensure regional stability.
“The international community must act immediately to prevent further bloodshed,” the report concludes, urging the Iraqi government, Arab League, United States, European Union, United Nations and Council of Europe to take action against Turkey’s operations in Iraqi Kurdistan.
