03/06/2021

Activists from Kurdistan Region of Iraq: Turkish military presence is a human and environmental disaster

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — In a press conference on Tuesday in the capital of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), Erbil, a group of activists and civil society organizations called on leaders of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and Iraqi government to put an end to the Turkish military presence in the KRI.

The statement described the Turkish military presence, 40km deep into KRI territory in some places, as a humanitarian and environmental disaster.

Activist Bahrah Muhammad Amin indicated that they are waiting for urgent action by leaders of the KRI and Baghdad, pointing out that Bahdinan is now witnessing painful events that extended to the KRI environment which is being destroyed due to Turkish bombing and logging.

Amin also indicated that activists and civil organizations are asking the KRI and Iraqi governments to intervene and put an end to the Turkish actions which, especially the large-scale deforestation to establish Turkish military outposts.