Documentary Review

Introduction to the Conflict in Northern Iraq

  • An ongoing conflict plagues the mountainous regions of Northern Iraq, characterized by heightened Turkish military operations targeting Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants.

  • Turkey perceives the PKK, which maintains hideouts in these mountains, as a significant national security threat and seeks to eliminate its presence, often leading to clashes and civilian casualties. Hundreds of civilians have been killed or injured in these operations.

  • BBC Investigations has shed light on this sensitive issue by accessing the restricted ‘forbidden zone’ and employing satellite imagery to visually demonstrate the scale of Turkey’s military footprint and to expose the complex role of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), the ruling party in Iraqi Kurdistan, in facilitating or failing to prevent Turkish actions.

The Forbidden Zone

  • This 'forbidden zone' is strategically located along the rugged border between Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey, a terrain that provides natural cover for militant operations.

  • The area is severely impacted by the protracted conflict between Turkey and the PKK, a Marxist-Leninist militant group established in 1978. The PKK has utilized these mountains as a base for cross-border operations since the conflict's inception.

  • Since the beginning of this conflict in 1984, over 40,000 lives have been tragically lost, encompassing both combatants and a significant number of non-combatant civilians.

Impact of Conflict on Local Communities

  • The sustained violence and persistent threats from Turkish military actions, including devastating air and drone strikes, have led to the abandonment of hundreds of villages across Northern Iraq.

  • Displaced individuals, such as Hashem Shakar, are often driven from ancestral lands but remain deeply reliant on them for survival through farming and herding, struggling to rebuild their lives amidst constant danger.

  • Hashem’s own village stands in ruins, a direct and tragic consequence of the continuous military engagements and destruction.

History and Goals of the PKK

  • The PKK was founded in 1978 under an initial Marxist-Leninist ideology, with the primary objective of establishing an independent Kurdish state. Its ambitions extended to uniting Kurdish populations across Turkey, Iraq, Syria, and Iran, driven by the desire for self-determination.

  • The organization is widely recognized and designated as a terrorist group by Turkey, the United States, the European Union, and several other Western nations due to its armed struggle, which has involved attacks on military and civilian targets.

  • Facing intensifying Turkish military pressure and advanced aerial surveillance, PKK fighters have adapted their guerrilla tactics by establishing and operating from an elaborate network of concealed locations, including caves and tunnels, deep within the mountains.

Personal Accounts of Civilian Strikes

  • In a harrowing incident in August 2023, Hashem and his cousin Alan became direct targets of a Turkish offensive. Alan, who was suffering from stage-four cancer, was fatally wounded during the strike while they were engaged in civilian activities.

  • Hashem miraculously survived the attack despite sustaining injuries, adding a grim personal dimension to the mounting civilian casualty toll directly linked to Turkish military operations.

  • Human rights organizations, notably the Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT), meticulously document such occurrences. Their reports indicate 711 deaths or injuries from Turkish military operations in the region since 1991, highlighting a persistent pattern of civilian harm.

  • CPT’s detailed claims include 157 documented casualties occurring within civilian homes, with no active PKK presence or combat activities reported at the time of the strikes, raising serious questions about targeting protocols.

Human Rights Concerns

  • Kamran, a prominent human rights advocate, emphatically argues that even alleged affiliations with the PKK should not automatically justify extrajudicial killings. He stresses the fundamental necessity for proper legal procedures, due process, and clear evidence before any action is taken against individuals.

  • Documentation efforts include gathering personal testimonies of victims, compiling forensic evidence, and detailing the specific circumstances of their deaths. These records often highlight the absence of due process for individuals labeled as PKK affiliates by Turkey, underscoring violations of international humanitarian law.

Political Context of the Conflict

  • Turkey's primary strategic objective is to eradicate the PKK, driven by profound national security concerns that the group's escalating autonomy and operational capacity in Northern Iraq could pose an existential threat to Turkish territorial integrity.

  • President Erdogan significantly ramped up military operations in Northern Iraq following a series of escalations in PKK activities, including renewed attacks within Turkey, and critical developments in Syria, where Kurdish groups perceived as linked to the PKK gained substantial influence near the Turkish border.

Expansion of Turkish Military Presence

  • Beginning in 2018, Turkey initiated a shift from short-term cross-border raids to establishing a more permanent military presence, constructing numerous military bases across Northern Iraq. This strategy aimed to expand its operational reach and maintain long-term control over strategic areas.

  • The number of Turkish military bases has grown substantially within the 'forbidden zone' and deep into Iraqi territory, indicating a robust and sustained military footprint that extends beyond immediate border security.

  • Advanced satellite imaging has revealed the strategic development of several new Turkish bases, often situated in close proximity to or directly alongside existing Iraqi military outposts, suggesting deliberate military planning to control key routes and observation points.

Local Governance and Turkish Relations

  • The Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), largely dominated by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), maintains a profoundly complex and often contentious relationship with Turkey. This relationship includes significant economic ties, energy deals, and, critically, intelligence and military cooperation against the PKK, which the KDP also views as a rival.

  • The KDP faces severe accusations from various segments of the Kurdish community for prioritizing its strategic and economic ties with Turkey over addressing the pervasive violence and human rights abuses stemming from the Turkish-PKK conflict. This stance causes significant internal friction, given the PKK's historical role in Kurdish resistance movements.

Reality of Turkish-Kurdish Collaboration

  • On-the-ground observations and reports indicate a close and active working relationship between Turkish forces and certain Kurdish authorities, particularly KDP Peshmerga. This collaboration often facilitates Turkey's military operations with intelligence sharing and logistical support, allowing for more effective and sustained campaigns.

  • In stark contrast to official narratives that often emphasize regional stability and cooperation, Kurdish civilians frequently express profound grievances regarding these military actions. They lament the constant fear, displacement, destruction of livelihoods, and loss of life that significantly impact their daily existence.

Election Climate and Popular Sentiment

  • As pivotal elections approach in Iraqi Kurdistan, the KDP faces intense scrutiny and criticism from opposition parties and the general public regarding Turkey's growing military presence and the severe implications it holds for Kurdish sovereignty and national identity.

  • Despite the perceived existential threat posed by the sustained Turkish military presence and the internal dissent, the KDP has consistently managed to retain its parliamentary dominance. This outcome reflects a deeply fragmented voter sentiment, where concerns about security, economic stability, and nationalism often supersede pure sovereignty issues.

Conclusion and Future Implications

  • The enduring and expanding Turkish military establishment in Northern Iraq is highly indicative of broader geopolitical shifts occurring throughout the Middle East. These developments have far-reaching implications for the future of Kurdish autonomy, self-determination, and fundamental human rights in the region.

  • Hashem Shaqar's ongoing and deeply personal struggle for justice and recognition powerfully encapsulates the profound individual tragedies that arise from the intricate interplay of regional politics, armed conflict, and the struggle for human dignity in this volatile region.

Ethical Considerations Surrounding the War

  • The evolving relationship between KRG authorities and Turkey raises fundamental ethical questions concerning national sovereignty (given Iraq's limited control over its borders), the protection of civilian rights (especially the right to life and property), and the accountability for military actions (including bombardments and drone strikes).

  • The apparent reluctance of certain Kurdish officials to accurately or transparently document incidents involving Turkish attacks and their resultant civilian casualties may reflect a broader political strategy. This strategy aims to maintain the complex status quo, avoiding direct confrontation with Turkey, despite the grave civil and human rights implications for their populace.

Final Observations

  • Current geopolitical dynamics in Northern Iraq, particularly under KDP governance, appear to maintain a facade of increasing stability, largely due to KDP's internal control and strong ties with Turkey. However, the continuous and assertive presence of Turkish forces suggests a deeply precarious balance.

  • This balance could easily destabilize and shift dramatically amidst any significant escalation of conflict, internal political upheaval within the KRG, or changes in regional power dynamics. Local sentiments continue to advocate strongly for greater accountability and transparent governance.

  • Yet, official political narratives often resist fully acknowledging or recognizing wartime civilian casualties and their rights, preferring to manage political sensitivities rather than address the full scope of human impact.