ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Turkish air forces bombed at least three areas in Kurdistan Region’s Duhok province on Saturday, according to local officials.
Areas in Deralok, Batifa and Shildaze were hit by airstrikes on Saturday morning, local mayors told Rudaw.
“Turkey has been bombarding the vicinity of the villages of Avla, Banka Sare, Manin and Pirbile [in the area] since 9am,” Batifa Mayor Dlsher Abdulsattar told Rudaw.
A civilian vehicle was also targeted in the strikes, according to Abdulsattar. No casualties have been reported.
Turkey launched a new air offensive in the Kurdistan Region on June 15, with the stated aim of removing Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters from its borders with the Region. Residents and wildlife of the mountains have borne the brunt of the campaign, however.
The PKK is a Kurdish armed group fighting for greater rights for the Kurdish minority in Turkey.
Deralok Mayor Sami Barwari confirmed to Rudaw that Turkey had bombed the mountains and a number of nearby villages.
Video footage submitted to Rudaw by Deralok resident Abdullah Ali showed smoke rising from the Link mountains, with Ali saying Turkey had “intensely” bombed the area, forcing farmers to leave their land.
“The farmers had visited their villages to irrigate their farms but they were forced to leave their villages,” he added.
Turkey’s new offensive has been focused on areas in Duhok province’s Zakho region. At least seven civilians have been killed and many villages abandoned under the bombardment.
Reporting by Nasir Ali
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