Turkey's air campaign (Operation Claw-Eagle), stated to be against Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) targets, has been ongoing since June 15. The campaign has sparked fear among populations across the Zakho, Akre and Amedi districts of Duhok province.
"Bombs and airstrikes aren't stopping," Batifa villager Arif Marouf said. "We are calling on relevant authorities in the KRG to find a solution for this conflict. We urge the PKK in the mountains not to transfer their conflict to our [populated] areas."
According to intelligence information obtained by Rudaw, from 1983 to mid-June 2020, Turkey established military bases in 24 strategic locations in the areas of Kani Masi, Deralok and Shiladze. In that period, Turkey has taken control of nearly 60 villages in Duhok province, according to the intelligence source.
In this latest major air and ground offensive, Turkey has crossed into an area 40-50 kilometers long and 15 kilometers deep, and into Batifa sub-district.
Up until June 15, there were 24 Turkish military bases on Kurdistan Region land, the intelligence source told Rudaw. In the just over two weeks since Claw-Eagle was launched, another 12 military bases have been established.
Reporting by Nasir Ali
