More than $1 million in damages from clashes for Zakho villages, resorts
ZAKHO, Kurdistan Region - Villages and resorts in northern Duhok province have lost more than a million dollars this summer because of Turkey's offensive against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Villages have been evacuated and damaged, and resorts are empty of tourists.
“We invested $7,000 in this [house] but Turkey damaged it and now it is gone,” said Ali Muhsin, a former resident of Bihere village located within the Zakho district.
Bihere, along with 21 other villages, has been affected by Turkish military operations that were launched in April, according to the mayor of Zakho’s office.
“We fled to Darkar, selling our 600 goats,” Muhsin added.
When Turkey bombarded the yard of his house in May and injured his brother, they and five other families fled the village. Since then, no one has returned, except for brief visits to their property.
Additionally, 28 resorts have been affected by the bombardment, the Sharansh waterfall being one of them. It used to see 20,000 tourists annually, however, that was not the case this year.
“I invested nearly $20-30,000 in it this year,” said Ali Mahmoud, the owner of the tourist destination. “Ten families live off the resort, including workers, villagers and us. This is no longer the case.”
According to the mayor's office, losses in 50 villages and resorts have totaled 1.6 billion dinars ($1.1 million) due to the clashes between the PKK and Turkey.
A total of 30 villages in Zakho have been evacuated since April 24.
“We invested $7,000 in this [house] but Turkey damaged it and now it is gone,” said Ali Muhsin, a former resident of Bihere village located within the Zakho district.
Bihere, along with 21 other villages, has been affected by Turkish military operations that were launched in April, according to the mayor of Zakho’s office.
“We fled to Darkar, selling our 600 goats,” Muhsin added.
When Turkey bombarded the yard of his house in May and injured his brother, they and five other families fled the village. Since then, no one has returned, except for brief visits to their property.
Additionally, 28 resorts have been affected by the bombardment, the Sharansh waterfall being one of them. It used to see 20,000 tourists annually, however, that was not the case this year.
“I invested nearly $20-30,000 in it this year,” said Ali Mahmoud, the owner of the tourist destination. “Ten families live off the resort, including workers, villagers and us. This is no longer the case.”
According to the mayor's office, losses in 50 villages and resorts have totaled 1.6 billion dinars ($1.1 million) due to the clashes between the PKK and Turkey.
A total of 30 villages in Zakho have been evacuated since April 24.
Editing by Alan Barzinji