On 1 August 2015, Turkish warplanes bombed the village of Zergelê in the Qandil mountains in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The attack, which Turkey claimed targeted a PKK camp, killed eight civilians, including women and children, and injured ten others. This incident is typical of the wider humanitarian impact of the conflict on civilian lives in the region. Zergelê, a small village in a deep valley of the Qandil mountain range, is mainly dependent on livestock. The bombing not only caused immediate loss of life, but also destroyed homes, a mosque and essential infrastructure, including water sources and crops. The attack left the villagers in a state of devastation, highlighting the dire consequences of military action on civilian communities. Since the beginning of 2024, Turkish military operations have escalated significantly.
The Turkish army has advanced up to 15 kilometres into Iraqi territory, with a particular focus on Duhok province. These operations have resulted in the evacuation of over 600 villages, the displacement of thousands of people and the destruction of vast areas of farmland.
In the last three months alone, Turkish air strikes and shelling have killed at least 39 civilians and injured 72. These attacks have not only claimed lives, but have also destroyed homes, schools, health clinics and other critical infrastructure. The destruction of civilian property and displacement of communities has further deepened the humanitarian crisis in the region. Despite the severe impact on civilians, both the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and the Iraqi Government have been criticised for their lack of effective response. There have been calls for compensation for victims and measures to protect civilians, but little concrete action has been taken.
The Turkish government maintains that its military operations are necessary to combat the PKK, but the toll on civilians has raised serious concerns about the conduct of these operations and their compliance with international humanitarian law.
The bombing of Zergelê in 2015, and the ongoing Turkish military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan highlight the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians. As military activities continue, the need for a comprehensive and peaceful solution to the conflict becomes more urgent to prevent further loss of life and displacement.
