Duhok farmers decry lengthy Turkish operations

CHALKA, Kurdistan Region — Turkey’s most recent military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Duhok’s border areas have continued well into the summer. As in previous years, local villagers and farmers have suffered the most under the unrest.

Although Chalka village in Kani Masi has not been evacuated, its residents say much of their farmland has been destroyed by the bombing.

Taha Salam and Abdulrahman Qasim have been proudly tending to their orchards for 30 years. They say the recent bombardment has damaged their land and trees.

“There is a risk going to our farmland. Since the beginning [of the operation], we haven’t dared enter the orchards,” said Salam.

“Hundreds of dunams of our farmland has been burnt. Pomegranates, apples, apricots, and vineyards are among the fruits we grow. We can't even approach them. We couldn't go to extinguish a fire that broke out in our orchard,” added Qasim. 

Operations Claw-Lightning and Claw-Thunderbolt began at the end of April this year.

With the bombings close to residential areas, fear has spread among civilians.

Local officials report 210 families from Kani Masi have been relocated to Duhok and safer villages.

Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed