The Turkish defence minister Hulusi Akar announced on Sunday that a new cross-border military operation was being launched in northern Iraq, using warplanes and artillery to bombard large areas, and troops being deployed on Iraqi soil, but the Turkish invasion remained unreported in the Western online media, most of which only published stories on the Russian invasion of Ukraine at the top of their front pages.
Iraqi Kurdish media mentioned at least two villages in the Kani Masi area, the villages of Hirore and Sararo, being hit in Turkish strikes, and said that the military operation was being carried out ‘on the pretext of targeting Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters.’
A previous Turkish military operation to invade parts of Iraqi Kurdistan was launched in April 2021, and went on for almost a whole year, with no official information provided by Turkish authorities about the outcomes.
Front pages: Some invasions are more deserving of reporting than others
BBC: Top of front page dedicated to stories on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, no sign of the Turkish invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan on the entire front page.
The Guardian: All stories at top of front page were on the Russian invasion, no sign of Turkish invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan on the entire front page.
The Independent: Top of front page dedicated to stories on Russian invasion of Ukraine, no sign of Turkish invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan on the entire front page.
New York Times: All four stories at top of front page were on Russian invasion of Ukraine, no sign of Turkish invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan on the entire front page.
The Washington Post: All six stories at top of front page were on Russian invasion of Ukraine, no sign of Turkish invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan on front page.
Deutsche Welle: Top of the front page dedicated to stories on Russian invasion of Ukraine, no sign of Turkish invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan on the entire front page.
France24: Story on French presidential election at top of front page, no sign of Turkish invasion in Iraqi Kurdistan on the entire front page.
El Pais: No sign of Turkish invasion on the front page.