Dana Taib Menmy (MIDDLE EAST EYE) reports:
Turkish air strikes against alleged PKK targets in northern Iraq have caused civilian casualties and spread fear in refugee camps in the area, residents and officials have told Middle East Eye.
On Sunday 14 June, Turkey's Defence Ministry announced the launch of a large aerial operation dubbed “Operation Claw-Eagle”, nominally targeting the strongholds of the PKK in Qandil, near the Iranian-Turkish border, as well as Zap, Avasin and Hakurk, Sinjar and Makhmour.
The ministry claimed that “81 PKK targets were struck, including shelters and caves”, and that a large number of PKK militants had been "neutralised". But civilians told Middle East Eye that most of the air strikes in Sinjar - home of the embattled Yazidi minority - and Makhmour refugee camp, targeted civilians.
The Makhmour camp in north-central Iraq was first established in 1998 and hosts more than 12,000 refugees, mainly composed of Kurds fleeing the long-running conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), who have their bases in the Qandil mountains in northern Iraq.
People lives are at risk and the world looks the other way -- not the first time, by the way. Jasmine reminds:
hey y’all in 1915 Turkey committed genocide against Assyrians and guess what!! They’re doing it again!! In 2020!! In Iraq!! Our people are still being eradicated and no ones batting an eye!!!! #turkeyisguilty
Observers are noting who is playing silent. For example, Mekut Tweets:
Newly appointed Iraq's foreign minster Fuad Hussein (KDP) hasn't uttered a word about Turkey's aggression, terrorising our countryside and murdering civilians, but on Libya: We reject interfering in Lybia's internal affairs.
12:51 PM · Jun 23, 2020
Also silent?
Iraq's prime minister. Does Mustafa al-Kadhimi think his silence makes him look strong? It doesn't. As he's unable to provide jobs, as the death toll from the coronvirus continues to climb, as he accomplishes nothing, he just looks even weaker.
Christian Peacemaker Teams, USCIRF, the Arab League, the UAE, Egypt and Saudi Arabia have all condemned the actions of the Turkish government. It's a small list that needs to grow.