Turkish Airstrikes in Southern Kurdistan Result in 4 Killed Civilians

Southern Kurdistan/North Iraq – In a escalation of Erdogan’s war against the Kurds, Turkish airstrikes have claimed the lives of four civilians, including a father and his two sons, in Southern Kurdistan. The attacks, which occurred on September 2 and September 4, 2024, have raised significant concerns regarding the safety of civilians and the potential for Turkey’s continous annexation of the region and further displacement of Kurdish population.

Badi’ Kamal Mohammad, a Kurdish citizen, was killed in an airstrike on the village of Mirgah Hauwsh, part of Sidakan town on September 2. This incident is part of a broader offensive that has seen Turkish forces conduct 24 airstrikes over a two-day period, targeting various provinces within the region, including Amedi, Choman, Mawat, and Penjwin. Ongoing surveillance by drones and low-flying warplanes over the Qandil mountains has heightened fears of additional civilian casualties.

According to Kamaran Osman, a member of the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), the recent bombardments have resulted in the deaths of nine civilians in the so called Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) this year alone. The Turkish military has advanced up to 15 kilometers into the Southern Kurdistan, leading to the evacuation of 162 villages, with over 600 more at risk of displacement.

In a separate incident on September 4, three civilians—a father and his two sons, aged 14 and 18—were tragically killed by Turkish drone strikes on the Ranya-Sulaimani highway. The victims, identified as Muzaffer Hussein Xidir Ewla and his sons, were reportedly traveling from the Hajiawa neighborhood in Ranya district.

The Kurdistan National Congress (KNK) has condemned these attacks, calling them inhumane and a violation of the rights of innocent civilians. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of these martyrs and vehemently condemn this inhumane crime,” stated a KNK representative. “It is imperative to end the hostile policies of the Turkish state toward Kurdistan and the region.”

The KNK urges all relevant authorities, political forces, and the public to take a firm stand against these acts of violence. The international community is called upon to recognize and address the ongoing air war by the Turkish state against the people of Kurdistan, which has seen over 110 drone attacks this year alone.

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