Ongoing incursion
Turkish bombardment burns 125 acres of farmland and orchards in Duhok
DUHOK — Turkish bombardment has ignited massive fires, burning approximately 125 acres of farmland and orchards in Sargale, Duhok. Villagers have sent videos to 964media showing widespread fires near the village, with trees engulfed in flames.
Bewar Abdulaziz, the Civil Defense spokesperson in Duhok, told 964media, “In any area with bombardments and fighting, our teams cannot approach due to the instability and the danger from the clashes between Turkey and the PKK.”
Turkey is conducting a large-scale military operation in the Duhok province of the Kurdistan Region against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), leading to the evacuation of several villages. The PKK, an armed Kurdish organization, has been in conflict with the Turkish state for Kurdish rights since the early 1980s.
Nizar Mohammed, the Mukhtar (local head) of Sargale village, told 964media that the fires were caused by Turkish shelling this morning. “More than 500 dunams (123 acres) of grasslands, farmlands, and grape and almond orchards were burned.”
He added that villagers, with the help of residents from five neighboring villages, are trying to extinguish the fires. However, the shelling has resumed, causing new fires in other areas.
Sargale village is part of the Deraluk sub-district within the Amedi district of Duhok.