News Center- The Turkish state continues to carry out its attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, evacuating villages and displacing people. On Tuesday, the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) released a report on total civilian impact by the latest Turkish military operation in Iraqi Kurdistan between June 15 and July 15, 2024.

Nine villages have been completely displaced and at least 184 families have been displaced in Iraqi Kurdistan since June 15, the report said.

According to the report, approximately 68,000 dunams of land have been burned. A church, a tahini factory, a car, two water projects, and 19 civilian houses have been damaged or destroyed and a civilian was injured since June 15. “The electricity grids and towers of Bari Gare villages and Miska village have been targeted. Turkish telecommunication equipment and towers have interrupted the networks in the areas of over 110 villages,” the report added.

On June 15, the Turkish Armed Forces began a new military operation and offensive in the Berwary Bala area to seize control of Matina Mountain and its surrounding areas with an eye towards gaining control of Gara Mountain. The military operations have been conducted by both ground and aerial forces with the deployment of an estimated 1250 Turkish soldiers, 300 tanks, and intensifying aerial bombardments.

‘Many villages have been suffering from ecological damage’

“Many villages in the Amedi and Batifa regions have been suffering from agricultural loss, ecological damage, and intense bombardment. At least 68,000 dunams of forests and agricultural land have been burned. Local farmers used much of the land for harvesting vegetables, fruits, and nuts, which served as a primary source of income for many families in the impacted area,” the report said.

“For example, on July 6th, Turkish soldiers were shooting at Dere village in the Zakho region from their base on Shakhol Mountain, which caused a fire that spread for four kilometers. Additionally, Turkey has bombed the village of Guharze, home to 174 families and located 10 km southeast of the city of Amedi, at least 45 times, causing damage to six houses, one vehicle, and an agricultural water project.

“As a result of the latest operation, there has been one civilian casualty. On July 12, 2024, Nechirwan Hakim was injured by artillery shelling in the Sidakan area while shepherding and tending to his animals. The bombardment originated from the newly established Turkish military base on Shakif Mountain in the Sidakan area. Additionally, the new military bases have imported and constructed telecommunication towers that have disrupted Kurdish telecommunication networks in the areas of over 110 villages, resulting in local residents receiving messages such as ‘Goodbye from Iraq’ and ‘Have a nice trip in Turkey’.”

 According to the report, Turkiye has built 10 additional military bases and outposts in Iraqi Kurdistan, totaling 74. “The new bases include two in the Nhely area of Amedia, seven in the Batifa area of Zakho, and one in the Sidakan area of Soran. Additionally, the Turkish military has established one checkpoint and at least two temporary checkpoints in the evenings and have been checking the IDs and vehicles of all civilians passing through.”