Turkey’s military offensive in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), including the deliberate targeting of civilian areas and occupation deep inside Iraqi territory, has continued unabated since mid-June, amid silence from the Iraqi government and with the collaboration of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).
The villages of Sergel, Kevne Mêzê, Mêzê, Guherzê and Belave, situated on the border of Amedi (Amediyê), Duhok governorate, were bombarded by Turkish warplanes and drones on 14 July, resulting in properties being set ablaze and the complete destruction of the home of one citizen. No casualties have been reported.
In Kevne Mêzê and Mêzê, located in the Garê region, the village centres were specifically targeted. Notably, the Turkish army, supported by thousands of soldiers and hundreds of tanks and armoured vehicles, has established new bases and checkpoints along the border near Duhok and Erbil (Hewlêr).
The Turkish army conducted 285 bombings within the Iraqi Kurdistan Region between 15 June and 11 July, penetrating over 30 kilometres into Iraqi territory, according to Channel 8.
Neither the federal Iraqi government nor the provisional government of the Kurdistan Region (KRG) have issued an effective response or taken a definitive stance since the incursion began.
However, Qasim al-A’raji, advisor to the Iraqi National Security Council, has arrived in Sulaymaniyah (Silêmanî) in conjunction with the persistent assaults by the Turkish army on extensive areas of Duhok province. Al-A’rajai’s visit coincides with conflicting statements made by Iraqi and PDK authorities regarding the Turkish occupation of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region.
Fouad Hussein, the Iraqi Foreign Minister, denied that the Iraqi government authorised the Turkish military’s operations, while in other statements, he supports Turkey’s attacks on Iraqi Kurdistan, citing PKK activities. Conversely, after initially advocating direct cooperation with Turkey, he has now favoured broader regional dialogue, marking a significant shift in strategy.
