Speaking to Rudaw's Dildar Harki, Iraqi Border Guards Force One commander Dler Farzanda said that the establishment of three new bases in Zakho's Darkar and Batifa sub-district has made locals "very happy", by preventing PKK-Turkey clashes from spilling into populated areas from the more isolated mountains.
Turkey's military began air and ground operations in the Kurdistan Region in mid-June, with the stated aim of targeting PKK positions in the area. Five civilians have been killed by Turkish airstrikes since the aerial operation began. Residents of Duhok province villages have left for the safety of nearby towns and cities in fear of airstrikes and clashes.
Iraq's border forces mobilized to set up bases in five “strategic” positions in Zakho, a commander told press last Thursday, in an effort to de-escalate PKK-Turkey clashes in the region. Farzanda told Rudaw English on Wednesday that all personnel at these positions are Kurds.
The KRG's interior ministry deployed Zeravani Peshmerga to Duhok's Mount Matin on Tuesday amid intensified Turkish bombing against suspected PKK positions in the region, Peshmerga chief of staff Jamal Iminiki told Rudaw.
Farzanda says they have informed Turkey of their new positions so that their troops are not mistaken for the PKK in the region by Ankara.
He said that neither the PKK nor Turkey have yet approached their positions, but warned retaliation if they were to do so.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Rudaw: Where are your border guards stationed?
Dler Farzanda: As the Iraqi Border Guards Force One, our troops were already stationed at 60 different positions across the Duhok province border lines, stretching from the [Iraq-Syria-Kurdistan Region] triangle border area of Fishkhabur to Gali Balinda [near Shiladze, at the border with Turkey]. Following [Turkey's] operation, we have deployed and stationed troops in three new locations, in Darkar and Batifa sub-districts [in Zakho district] due to developments in the region since July 1.
Have the troop deployments reduced Turkey's bombardment, or stopped their activity in the region?
Border Force One's troop deployments have been influential, and have made locals in the area very happy. They have helped prevent conflict between Turkey's army and PKK fighters from spilling deeper into populated areas.
To how many kilometers in depth has Turkey entered Kurdistan Region land so far?
I would say in Zakho, they have entered 10 to 15 kilometers deep into the sub-districts of Darkar and Batife. They are also 15 kilometers deep into Kurdistan, via the ranges of Mount Khanter.
Why are you not deploying more troops to the border areas?
We as Border Force One started the first phase of troop stationing based on what our capabilities were. We found it important to station our troops in the aforementioned areas, to bring them under our control.
At this stage, we are monitoring developments in the area. If needed, and if ordered to do so by our superiors, we will relocate some of the forces to control more areas.
Have your superiors informed Turkey of your troop deployments, so that you are not mistakenly targeted by their warplanes?
Yes we informed the Turkish interior ministry of our movements at the very beginning. We informed them of our destinations. No problem has yet been created for us by the Turkish side.
A Peshmerga Zeravani force has been stationed on Mount Matin, in Amedi. Are you communicating amongst yourselves?
The first line of Iraq's borders fall under the jurisdiction of Iraq's border forces. The second line, designed to support the first, is associated with the federal defense ministry, to support them with anything they need.
The Kurdistan Region has its Peshmerga ministry - part of the Iraqi security forces, according to the constitution. Therefore, it is to be expected that the Peshmerga forces will be on the second line. Whenever we need each other, good coordination will be made. Whenever we need support, we will definitely ask for it from the Peshmerga forces.
There are reports that an Iraqi border force guard has been wounded in a landmine explosion. Are those reports correct?
Unfortunately, a border guard on duty was wounded after triggering a landmine dating to Saddam Hussein's regime, at the Siyarabana observation post near Batifa sub-district. He was rushed to hospital. His health is stable. We wish him a speedy recovery.
What order are you given to respond, in case Turkish forces approach you?
It has not yet happened. If it does, we will react and execute any orders given to respond by our superiors.
What about PKK fighters? What orders do you have to respond to them if they approach?
The PKK has not approached our points yet either. They have not attacked our bases. If they do, we will repel them. And our response will be strong. We do not wish for that to happen. As border guards, we are entitled to go wherever need be, if we are told to.
Translation by Zhelwan Z. Wali
