DUHOK, Kurdistan Region — The expected Turkish military operation against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) guerrillas on Gara Mountain in Duhok province has sparked fear and concern among local villagers. Residents in the area worry about the potential loss of resources, displacement, and further restrictions on their movements due to increased military activity in the region.
The mountainous region of Gara, stretching 27.9 kilometers from Syaratika to Zebari in Duhok’s Amedi district, is expected to become the next target of a Turkish military operation against the PKK guerrillas. This operation could bring widespread consequences to the surrounding areas, both militarily and for local communities.
Villagers like Adil Mustafa have voiced concerns about the impact of Turkish military activities. “If the Turkish army captures Matina Mountain, it will likely lead to the capture of Gara Mountain as well. Once Gara is controlled, there will be no resources left in the area for us,” Mustafa said. Matina Mountain has already been turned into a fortified Turkish military position, severely restricting the movements and livelihoods of nearby residents.
Turkey's anticipated military offensive against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Mount Gara in the Kurdistan Region's Duhok province has sparked fear and anxiety among local villagers, who warn that the strikes could ravage the area's natural resources and fragile… pic.twitter.com/Uv86kAwgpH
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Mohammed Karim, another local, highlighted the broader impact of the conflict on the region, saying, “Nearly 70 to 80 villages have been affected by the fighting, and no part of the area remains untouched.”
Strategically, Gara Mountain is crucial not only for its military significance but also for its abundant natural resources. The area is home to rich vegetation, oil fields, and serves as a hub for tourism and archaeological sites. Aziz Harik, a political analyst, warned that the capture of Gara Mountain would have far-reaching consequences. “Control of Gara would give access to Duhok, Simel, Sheikhan, Akre, and potentially even Erbil. It would also affect the Nineveh plains and southeastern Turkey,” Harik explained.
Rising to 2,151 meters above sea level, Gara Mountain dominates the Badinan area, influencing key districts like Akre, Amedi, and Bardarash. The anticipated operation puts these districts, as well as the surrounding villages, at significant risk, potentially altering the region’s geopolitical landscape.
Reporting by Zoom News’ Dilovan Ramazan from Duhok.
