Turkish warplanes have unleashed a series of intense airstrikes on suspected positions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the Amedi district of northern Duhok over the past week. The ongoing bombardments have not only raised anxiety among residents but have also inflicted substantial psychological and material damages to the area.

The aerial attacks have ignited fires in the forests of Mount Gara, engulfing hundreds of dunams of land in flames. Local farmer Ibrahim Hassan, hailing from a nearby village, laments the significant losses he has suffered due to the persisting clashes between Turkey and the PKK. "We no longer dare to venture into our old village. Once a serene and picturesque place resembling a resort, now remains off-limits for us," Hassan voiced to Rudaw’s Naif Ramadhan, adding, "Our ability to visit is all but gone."

Security sources based in the Amedi district reveal that at least two TNT explosions have rocked the region in the last week. Furthermore, reports indicate that two artillery shells landed in Guharz village, with one of them tragically piercing a civilian's home.

One resident, Abdulwahab Ibrahim, recounted the frightening experience, stating, "Initially, I thought it was a bomb. While it didn't directly hit our house, it caused a dense fog. Once the fog dissipated, it became evident that it was a shell. The peril is substantial; you never know when danger might literally strike from above."

The Turkish government's efforts to eradicate PKK fighters from areas bordering its territory have intensified in recent years. In April of the previous year, Turkey initiated "Operation Claw-Lock," a mission aimed at targeting PKK positions in the Metina, Zap, Avashin, and Basyan regions within northern Duhok province. Ankara asserts that the objective of this operation is to dislodge the PKK from bordering regions and sever its connection to mainland Turkey.

Duhok Governor Ali Tatar articulated his frustration, asserting, "We've endured numerous sacrifices so that we can one day live in tranquility. Our intention was not to facilitate your arrival, claiming to liberate the region. Our region was already thriving. Why impede the prosperity of our villages? Why hinder the access of essential services to our communities?"

Turkey's counter-PKK campaign has extended into the Kurdistan Region and northeastern Syria (Rojava), where the country has reportedly launched drone attacks. These attacks have, regrettably, resulted in civilian casualties and the loss of Kurdish fighters' lives.

As Turkish airstrikes continue to target alleged PKK positions in the Amedi district of northern Duhok, the region's residents grapple with mounting concerns over their safety and the devastating toll these clashes are taking on their lives and livelihoods.