Kurdistan
Smoke rises from a Turkish airstrike outside of Bedihe village last week. Photo: submitted to Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkish artillery pounded Bedihe village in Duhok province on Saturday, causing damage to civilian homes and lands, a local official told Rudaw.
"The bombing started around 6pm. They have so far targeted the village with six mortars, causing damage to 10 households," Sarbast Sabri, head of nearby Kani Masi town in the Amedi region of Duhok province, told Rudaw. "The artillery has also damaged groves and orchards of locals in the area."
Turkey began air and ground military operations in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq's disputed territories in mid-June, with the stated aim of removing suspected Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets from the area. Five civilians have been killed during the offensive.
According to Sabri, "this is the first time that Turkey has targeted inside the village."
"Since morning, we have been hearing the roar of surveillance planes," he added.
Last week, Turkish warplanes bombed areas surroundings Bedihe village, causing no material damage. Of the five civilians casualties since Turkey began its operation, four of them were killed in the Amedi area. Many villages in Duhok province have been partially or fully vacated as the local population has fled.
In an attempt at de-escalation, Iraqi border forces have set up several bases along border and the Kurdistan Region’s Interior Ministry deployed Zeravani Peshmerga to Duhok's Mount Matin last week.
"The bombing started around 6pm. They have so far targeted the village with six mortars, causing damage to 10 households," Sarbast Sabri, head of nearby Kani Masi town in the Amedi region of Duhok province, told Rudaw. "The artillery has also damaged groves and orchards of locals in the area."
Turkey began air and ground military operations in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq's disputed territories in mid-June, with the stated aim of removing suspected Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) targets from the area. Five civilians have been killed during the offensive.
According to Sabri, "this is the first time that Turkey has targeted inside the village."
"Since morning, we have been hearing the roar of surveillance planes," he added.
Last week, Turkish warplanes bombed areas surroundings Bedihe village, causing no material damage. Of the five civilians casualties since Turkey began its operation, four of them were killed in the Amedi area. Many villages in Duhok province have been partially or fully vacated as the local population has fled.
In an attempt at de-escalation, Iraqi border forces have set up several bases along border and the Kurdistan Region’s Interior Ministry deployed Zeravani Peshmerga to Duhok's Mount Matin last week.
Reporting by Nasr Ali
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