Conflict monitor reports intense Turkey-PKK clashes in Duhok
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Intense clashes broke out between Turkish forces and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Duhok province, a human rights organization monitoring the conflict said on Friday.
“The PKK opened fire on the Turkish army’s tanks in some Amedi villages and the Turkish army bombarded some villages,” Kamaran Osman, a member of Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), told Rudaw on Friday.
Turkish forces bombarded Girgashe and Mije villages at the foot of Mount Gara where it is anticipated Ankara will launch a military campaign to drive out PKK fighters, according to Osman.
The bombings and clashes in Mije caused a “huge blaze,” he added.
Turkey recently established checkpoints in several villages in Duhok province, creating problems for locals who said the soldiers asked for their identification cards.
Clashes between Turkish forces and PKK fighters have caused numerous wildfires. Each side blames the other for the blazes.
The recent escalation in attacks is part of Turkey’s plans to eradicate the PKK along its southern border with the Kurdistan Region. Erdogan said in March that Ankara is close to completing a zone that will “permanently resolve” security issues along the border by the summer.
The Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have yet to comment on the escalations in Duhok province.
Turkey has carried out 833 attacks on the Kurdistan Region between January and May, according to data from the CPT.
The Turkish defence ministry announced on Thursday that one of its soldiers was killed by the PKK in Duhok province.
“The PKK opened fire on the Turkish army’s tanks in some Amedi villages and the Turkish army bombarded some villages,” Kamaran Osman, a member of Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), told Rudaw on Friday.
Turkish forces bombarded Girgashe and Mije villages at the foot of Mount Gara where it is anticipated Ankara will launch a military campaign to drive out PKK fighters, according to Osman.
The bombings and clashes in Mije caused a “huge blaze,” he added.
Turkey recently established checkpoints in several villages in Duhok province, creating problems for locals who said the soldiers asked for their identification cards.
Clashes between Turkish forces and PKK fighters have caused numerous wildfires. Each side blames the other for the blazes.
The recent escalation in attacks is part of Turkey’s plans to eradicate the PKK along its southern border with the Kurdistan Region. Erdogan said in March that Ankara is close to completing a zone that will “permanently resolve” security issues along the border by the summer.
The Iraqi government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) have yet to comment on the escalations in Duhok province.
Turkey has carried out 833 attacks on the Kurdistan Region between January and May, according to data from the CPT.
The Turkish defence ministry announced on Thursday that one of its soldiers was killed by the PKK in Duhok province.
Soran Hussein contributed to this article.