Turkish forces are allegedly employing chemical weapons and systematic destruction in their invasion of Iraqi Kurdistan, according to a report by journalist Amara Harun published by Fırat News Agency on Tuesday.
“Massive craters created by Turkish warplanes obstruct the roads systematically,” Harun stated, describing the deliberate targeting of infrastructure, a strategy which aims to hinder public access to affected areas.
The alleged use of phosphorus-based chemicals in bombings, identifiable by distinctive white smoke, is particularly concerning. “These chemicals, prohibited by international law, cause severe environmental and health damage,” Harun reported. The aftermath of these attacks is evident in the changed landscape, with dead insects and discoloured vegetation marking the chemical impact.
Kurdish intellectual Perwiz Huma criticised the alliance between the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and Turkish forces. “Turkey aims to revive the Ottoman Caliphate, and this objective is a cause of great concern for the Kurdish people, intellectuals and writers,” he said. Huma urged Kurdish intellectuals and writers to pressure the political establishment to disclose the impacts of Turkish occupation on Kurdistan.
Hawkar Nesredîn condemned Turkey’s historical and ongoing suppression of Kurdish culture and language. “Some political parties not only remain silent but also collaborate with the Turkish state,” he stated, emphasising the use of prohibited weapons against Kurds in Qandil in Iraq. Nesredîn called on all Kurds to unite against Turkey’s destructive policies that harm both people and the environment.
Harun highlighted the challenges faced by journalists documenting the invasion. “Reaching the areas under occupation and bringing the invasion’s scale to public attention requires immense determination,” she said, noting the risks posed by Parastin (KDP intelligence) and Turkish intelligence (MIT)-controlled areas. The journalist cited the case of Süleyman Ahmet, Rojnews editor who disappeared while crossing the border from Northern Syria to Iraqi Kurdistan and turned out to be detained by the KDP forces, only to receive a 3-year sentence after a 279-day detention without legal proceedings, underscoring the dangers faced by reporters in the region.
The attacks have significantly impacted local agriculture. Farmers struggle to transport produce due to destroyed roads, resulting in crop spoilage. “The strategic attacks on roads and orchards suggest an effort to starve guerrillas who might rely on these resources,” Harun observed.
Turkish reconnaissance planes intimidate civilians attempting to extinguish fires: “The fires, often left unchecked, leave a blackened sky and serve as a testament to the ongoing devastation,” Harun reported.
“The Kurdistan region, especially Southern Kurdistan, is too valuable to be left to traitors and occupiers,” Harun emphasised, underscoring the resilience of Kurdish guerrillas defending their land.
Meanwhile, Turkey has established new checkpoints in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and conducted airstrikes on fifteen villages in North and East Syria. These actions have led to extensive fires, damaging vineyards and orchards and trapping residents in their homes.
The Turkish state’s ongoing military operations in Iraqi Kurdistan, with the collaboration of the KDP, continue to provoke widespread dissatisfaction among the local population. Perwiz Huma warned against the political cooperation that supports Turkey’s military endeavours, contributing to the displacement of rural populations and the erosion of Kurdistan’s autonomy.
