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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Warplanes conducted airstrikes in Sulaimani province's Qamish village near the town of Mawat early Friday afternoon, according to a local official.
Kamaran Hassan, the head of Mawat town, confirmed the bombardment to Rudaw, saying no casualties have been reported, but agricultural lands were set ablaze during the airstrikes.
The official claims the airstikes were Turkish.
“The fire is still not under control, and civil defense teams are at the site attempting to contain the fire,” Hassan added.
Turkey launched its current offensive in the Kurdistan Region on June 15, with the stated aim of removing PKK fighters from the border areas. Operations have focused on areas in Duhok province’s Zakho region where villagers living in the mountains have borne the brunt of Turkey's bombing.
Seven civilians have been killed and many villages have been abandoned. Two people killed late last month were initially identified as members of the PKK, but their families later denied the connection. Mohammed Abdulla, whose father was killed in the airstrike, told Rudaw his father had no ties with the PKK.
The PKK, seeking greater cultural and political rights for Kurds in Turkey, has been in conflict with the Ankara government for decades. At least 5,000 people have been killed in clashes and attacks since peace efforts failed in July 2015, according to the International Crisis Group. The PKK has its headquarters in the Kurdistan Region’s Qandil mountains.
Kamaran Hassan, the head of Mawat town, confirmed the bombardment to Rudaw, saying no casualties have been reported, but agricultural lands were set ablaze during the airstrikes.
The official claims the airstikes were Turkish.
“The fire is still not under control, and civil defense teams are at the site attempting to contain the fire,” Hassan added.
Turkey launched its current offensive in the Kurdistan Region on June 15, with the stated aim of removing PKK fighters from the border areas. Operations have focused on areas in Duhok province’s Zakho region where villagers living in the mountains have borne the brunt of Turkey's bombing.
Seven civilians have been killed and many villages have been abandoned. Two people killed late last month were initially identified as members of the PKK, but their families later denied the connection. Mohammed Abdulla, whose father was killed in the airstrike, told Rudaw his father had no ties with the PKK.
The PKK, seeking greater cultural and political rights for Kurds in Turkey, has been in conflict with the Ankara government for decades. At least 5,000 people have been killed in clashes and attacks since peace efforts failed in July 2015, according to the International Crisis Group. The PKK has its headquarters in the Kurdistan Region’s Qandil mountains.
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