SULAIMANI, Kurdistan Region — Over the past 33 years, military operations by Turkey and Iran in the Kurdistan Region have resulted in 425 civilian deaths, according to a recent report by the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT). The report highlights that 344 civilians were killed by Turkey and 81 by Iran. Additionally, these operations have left 420 civilians injured.
At a Wednesday press conference, CPT staff disclosed that from 1991 to June 30, 2024, a total of 845 civilian fatalities occurred due to military actions by the two countries. Kamaran Osman of CPT stated that 702 of these casualties were caused by Turkey and 143 by Iran.
Turkey’s operations primarily involves airstrikes, drones, and chemical gases that have suffocated civilians. Osman also mentioned that 30 people were executed, either summarily or by being dropped from helicopters. Iran’s actions included 111 artillery shellings, 19 incidents with light firearms, 10 drone deployments, and three cases involving mines and unexploded ordnance.
CPT reported that most civilian casualties occurred while people were at home or working on agricultural lands. “Of the 702 casualties attributed to Turkey, 306 occurred in Duhok province’s Amedi, Zakho, Batifa, and Akre districts, while 114 were reported in Sulaimani province, primarily in Pishdar district,” Osman noted.
The report also revealed that 46% of the 845 casualties have not received compensation from Iraqi or Kurdistan Region authorities, and 35% of the injured still need ongoing medical treatment. Osman urged the Iraqi Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) to compensate those affected by the attacks, as required by law.
Recent Turkish operations in the Kurdistan Region, beginning on June 15, led to the evacuation of nine villages and the deaths of nine civilians. Over the past two months, Turkey has conducted 500 airstrikes, destroying 26 civilian homes, two schools, and a church. Osman warned that 602 villages are now under threat of evacuation due to ongoing military actions.
“Turkey currently maintains 74 military bases and outposts in the Kurdistan Region, all interconnected by a network of roads,” Osman added.
CPT, an international violence-reduction and human rights organization, is involved in documenting violence, supporting victims, and raising awareness to influence policy and foster accountability.
