Duhok Christian village abandoned under intense Turkish military operation

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — A Christian village in Duhok province has been abandoned after Turkey intensified its bombardment of alleged Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) positions in the area. This is the second village to be emptied during Turkey’s ongoing military campaign.
  
Turkey launched two military operations in Duhok province’s Avashin, Basyan, and Metina areas on April 23, setting up new military bases there. Kesta village in Amedi town was completely evacuated on May 3 due to the intensity of the bombardments, with some families fleeing to neighboring Chalke village.
  
Now people are fleeing Chalke. 

“When the bombardment got close to us, I asked my wife to leave,” villager Daniel Yuhanna told Rudaw’s Naif Ramadan. After intense military action, the men of the village met and decided to evacuate, he explained.

Everyone left by Saturday, expect for one man. “I have not abandoned my house and will not until I die. I sleep in my house, disregarding the constant bombardment,” said Yousef Zayya.

The village is home to nearly 20 families. 

Yuhanna Khoshaba, mukhtar (chief) of Chalke, told Rudaw that he and other villagers have been unable to graze their sheep for more than two weeks due to the military campaign.

Last week, an unexploded bomb was found near the village. It is still in the village, untouched. 

Kesta and Chalke villages are located in the Kani Masi sub-district of Amedi town. According to data provided by Kani Masi mayor’s office, 14 villages in the sub-district have been abandoned due to Turkey-PKK clashes since the 1990s. 

The PKK is an armed Kurdish group, fighting for the increased rights of Kurds in Turkey. Ankara considers it a terrorist organization and a threat to its national security. Turkish forces regularly pursue the PKK within the Kurdistan Region’s borders. Operation Claw-Thunderbolt in Metina and Operation Claw-Lightning in Avashin and Basyan areas are the latest campaigns.