Turkish Warplanes Bombard Gara and Metina Mountains in Duhok
In a distressing turn of events, Turkish warplanes launched heavy bombardments on the Gara and Metina mountains in Duhok province early Tuesday, causing panic and fear among residents in nearby villages. The bombings, targeting four positions on the mountains, commenced at approximately 10:20 am, according to Fayaq Birkahini, a resident from Balava village, who witnessed the attack.
Reports indicate that the bombings have instilled a great deal of panic among the inhabitants of nearby villages. However, no civilian casualties have been reported thus far, as the targeted area is off-limits to civilians due to frequent clashes between the Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is designated as a terrorist group by Ankara.
Over the past month, Turkey has intensified its attacks on villages in the vicinity of Amedi and Akre towns in Duhok province. The Turkish military has been conducting near-daily airstrikes, purportedly aimed at targeting PKK fighters, in the region.
The repeated violations of Iraqi borders by Turkey have drawn condemnation from the Baghdad government. However, Iraq has also urged the exiled armed groups not to use Iraqi territory as a launching pad for attacks against neighboring nations.
As the conflict between Turkish forces and the PKK persists, innocent civilians often find themselves caught in the crossfire. Hundreds of villages have been evacuated as families are forced to seek safety away from the escalating violence.
The PKK had declared a unilateral ceasefire in February, prompted by devastating earthquakes in Turkey, and later extended it to cover the period of Turkish elections. However, the group ended the ceasefire in June, leading to a resurgence of hostilities.
The situation remains fluid, with concerns growing over the safety and well-being of civilians in the affected areas. The international community continues to monitor the developments closely, urging all parties involved to prioritize the protection of innocent lives and seek peaceful resolutions to the ongoing conflict.
