Inside Iraq's 'Forbidden Zone': Turkey's Military Expansion and Civilian Impact

Turkey's Military Operations in Northern Iraq

• 🌍 The BBC gained exclusive access to Iraq's 'Forbidden Zone,' revealing the extent of Turkey's military expansion.
• 🎯 Turkey states its operations target the PKK, a Kurdish militant group proscribed by the UK and other governments.
• ⚠️ The conflict, ongoing since 1984, has claimed over 40,000 lives, with many being civilians.

The PKK and Civilian Risk

• ⛰️ PKK fighters use the remote mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan as a base for operations into Turkey.
• 🚫 Villages in northern Iraq have been abandoned due to the risk of Turkish air or drone strikes.
• 💔 Hasham Shakar and his cousin Alan were victims of a Turkish strike in August 2023; Hasham survived, but Alan, a cancer patient, died.

Kurdish Government's Role and Turkish Bases

• 🔍 Investigations into civilian casualties reveal disturbing aspects of the Kurdish government's relations with Turkey.
• 📈 Turkey's military operations and base construction have increased significantly, especially since 2018, to control the ground more effectively.
• 🗺️ Analysis of satellite imagery and social media indicates at least 136 Turkish bases on Iraqi soil, suggesting a loss of sovereignty over thousands of square kilometers.
• ⚖️ The Baghdad government has limited leverage to expel Turkish troops due to Iraq's dependence on Turkey for trade, investment, and water security.

Obscuring the Truth: Civilian Death Certificates

• 📄 Human rights groups document casualties, but death certificates often obscure the cause of death.
• 📝 In Alan's case, the original police report identified a Turkish drone, but court documents and his death certificate cited 'explosive fragments' without mentioning the Turkish attack.
• 🤥 Confidential documents suggest Kurdish authorities may have covered up the true cause of death to obstruct accountability for Turkish actions.
• ⚖️ A judge closed Alan's case, ruling the perpetrator's identity was unknown, leaving his family seeking acknowledgement.