DUHOK, Kurdistan Region — Heads of 103 households from four villages in the Amedi district have received compensation for losses sustained due to the ongoing conflict between the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Turkish army.
Despite this, the true extent of the risks faced by local residents remains unaddressed.
Abdulaziz Sargale, a villager, expressed a deep desire for peace, saying, “We sincerely hope for the end of this war so that not just our village, but all villages, can be restored, allowing everyone to return home.”
“Right now, we are all living in Duhok. I have a lot of farmlands there, but I can’t go there. If the conflict ends, I believe many will return to their villages and water springs, which could even become tourist attractions,” he added.
Another villager, Subhi Fathuallah, highlighted the severe impact on local infrastructure: “Significant damage has been done to the vineyards, streams, and even our honeybees. We’ve lost everything; there is no life left in the villages. All the villages have been destroyed, and airstrikes have affected every area, including mosques and schools.”
Duhok Governor Ali Tatar has compensated villagers affected by Turkish military operations against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), as they demand an end to the conflict and the return to their homes.
Reporting by Ali Dewali pic.twitter.com/x2K80hZLHx
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For years, Amedi’s villages have endured relentless conflict. Despite the ongoing casualties, there’s growing concern about the potential abandonment of these areas.
Authorities stress the need for an end to the conflict. Ali Tatar, Duhok Governor, said in a press conference on Tuesday, “The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters must vacate our region to prevent the conflict from escalating here. This would help avoid giving Turkey justification for waging war in our area.”
“The Kurdistan Region should not pose a threat to neighboring countries, as international norms state that no country should threaten another,” stressed Tatar.
The Amedi district, a key area in Duhok province, has seen significant displacement, with 201 of its 356 villages evacuated so far.
Exclusive footage reveals locals risking their lives to battle a massive fire sparked by persistent Turkish airstrikes on Barchi village in Duhok’s Amedi district. As the blaze consumes vineyards and pastures, residents struggle to contain it with tree branches, while… pic.twitter.com/tmKtq6GJO2
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Reporting by Ali Dewali
