​​​​​​​Iraq and KRG's positions regarding Turkish violations not at required level

The Turkish state attacks daily the border areas between southern and northern Kurdistan, and it has deployed its forces deep into Iraqi territory, leaving casualties and injuries among the civilians, not to mention material damage.

Turkish bases increased deep into Iraqi territory

The Turkish attacks on southern Kurdistan, Başur and Iraq began since May 25, 1983, when they established military bases there, especially in areas belonging to Dohuk, Zakho and Hewler, without the local authorities moving to stop them.

Although the Parliament of southern Kurdistan approved in 2003 the exit of foreign forces, including the Turkish occupation, from the region, the decision has not been implemented.

According to a statistic conducted by Roj News Agency, the number of Turkish bases increased during the current year to 38 military bases distributed in Dohuk and Hewler regions.

The Ministry of Peshmerga of the Kurdistan region also published a statement, in which it stated that the Turkish forces penetrated into the territory of the country at a depth of 30 to 40 kilometers.

 However, the People Defense Forces, HPG responded to all the Turkish attempts and inflicted heavy losses on lives and equipment by carrying out specific operations in the Haftanin area so far.

The Kurdish politician from southern Kurdistan, Mahmoud Othman, in a special statement to Hawar News Agency, said that "Erdogan's government is an aggressor government in the region. It always wages wars against the Kurds in the four parts of Kurdistan. At the same time, it extends its hand in the Mediterranean, Libya and other countries." .

Osman expressed his hope that the international community will be able to put an end to the Turkish attacks because it threatens the peace in the region.

Targeting civilians and committing massacres, and the KRG justifies that

In its attacks on southern Kurdistan regions, especially in the last three years, Turkey has been targeting civilians directly, and according to a statistic published by Roj News, more than 165 civilians were killed and injured between 2017 and 2019, not to mention committing massacres in separate places.

During the current year, on June 19, the Turkish occupation committed a massacre in which 6 civilians were killed, from the Shiladizi region in southern Kurdistan.

In a raid by the Turkish occupation planes on July 25 on the Kuni Masi area in Sulaymaniyah, 8 civilians of two families were wounded, followed the next day by an air strike that resulted in the death of civilians in Bamerni sub-district of Dohuk region.

On August 14, the Turkish occupation planes resumed targeting civilians, it targeted a civilian car in which 3 civilians were killed, and another was wounded.

In turn, a KRG's report revealed the extent of the material and human losses caused by the Turkish occupation attacks on the region, the displacement of the people from the villages that are under attack, and the incursion into vast areas.

'The issue affects Iraqi sovereignty; they must take a firm stand.

Othman noted that the position of the KRG and Iraq is not at the required level, despite the protests, the issuance of statements, and the summoning of the Turkish ambassador to present a protest note, but it is not sufficient.

Othman called on the Iraqi government in particular, considering that "it is a matter of Iraqi sovereignty, to submit a formal complaint to the United Nations Security Council and other organizations against Turkey to demand an end to the Turkish aggressions and the withdrawal of its forces from southern Kurdistan. This is the correct way; to be satisfied with statements and protests are not at the level to stop the Turkish attacks." "

Arab countries' positions on the Turkish attacks

Against the background of the targeting of Iraqi officers, some Arab countries condemned the Turkish attacks on the region, and demanding an end to it.

The Arab League condemned the repeated Turkish violations of Iraqi sovereignty, and indicated their support for any move that Baghdad takes in the international arena in order to stop the military attacks and preserve the country's sovereignty, security and stability.

The Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a statement in which it stated that the Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif Al-Zayani and the Emirati Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan expressed their support for the sovereignty of Iraq, their condemnation of the Turkish attacks, and the need to immediately stop any Turkish military operations in the country.

In addition to the Arab Parliament Speaker, Mishaal bin Fahm Al-Salami said in a statement that "the blatant hostilities and repeated military breaches by the Turkish forces constitute a serious violation of the sovereignty of Iraq, and a flagrant violation of the UN Charter, international law and norms."  It is a clear violation of UN Security Council resolutions, and a lack of respect for good-neighborly relations.

While the Turkish Defense Minister Hulus Akar was scheduled to visit Baghdad, last Thursday, 14 August, the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs canceled all visits of Turkish officials, after it delivered a protest note against the Turkish aggression of the Turkish ambassador to Baghdad.

Regarding the Arab positions towards the Turkish expansion in the region, politician, Othman says that "the media reactions of statements and protests are not enough. Now there are other reactions by Europe, Greece, Egypt and other parties towards the Turkish expansion, but the Arab reactions are not at the required level." To put an end to it by submitting formal complaints to the UNSC and the EU to put an end to Turkey's expansionist policies.

Popular protests denounce the Turkish attacks and the silence of the concerned authorities

Amidst the intensity of the attacks, targeting civilians, causing displacement, damaging civilian property and agricultural lands, popular protests against the attacks did not stop.

The people continue to organize demonstrations and protests in front of the Turkish embassy in all regions of Başur in which they demand the exit of the Turkish occupation in addition to the Iraqi government and Kurdistan region's demand to protect its sovereignty, and to show strict positions.

The Kurdish politician Mahmoud Othman called on the Kurdish parties in Kurdistan in general to have a unified position in condemning the Turkish aggressions and demanding to stop them and submitting complaints to international bodies and cooperating among them to deter these attacks. "

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ANHA