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.

Photos and videos posted online show logging of trees in northern #Iraq, linking this with Turkish military presence in the fight against the PKK, causing outrage among communities and politicians. Let’s find out what satellite imagery can tell use on what’s happening there 1/x pic.twitter.com/kq3cTxscnI

— Wim Zwijnenburg (@wammezz) June 1, 2021

الأتراك، متمكنين في الأراضي العراقية لدرجة انهم يقطعون الأشجار من غابات العراقية و ينقلونها للجهة التركية ( يبدو الجماعة ) كلش عندهم ميانة معانا والله . الميانة إما تكون بهذه الشاكلة او ما تنراد 🙄😂 . والله نعرف حق الجار على الجار . بس مو لهل درجة

— جوزيف صليوا سبي (@Joseph2261973) May 31, 2021