Kurdistan Parliament Assess the Impact of the Military Operations on the Border Areas

The Kurdistan Parliament formed three all party committees to investigate the issue of military operations by Turkey and Iran on the border areas which have caused disruptions, economic hardship and lose of lives. The investigation covered the border areas of the Governorates of Erbil, Slemani and Duhok. Interviews were conducted with the villagers and relatives of the victims to find out the impact of the military operations on the area. All the details, damages, and causes of the attacks on the areas were documented in a report.

The findings and recommendations of the committees were discussed in the Parliament with the presence of the ministries of Interior and Peshmerga. Some of the recommendations which were published on the Kurdistan Democratic Party’s formal website were taken from an interview by the head of one of the committees are highlighted.

First:

The area of operation of the border guards to be expanded to include the actual areas of military operations as their current bases inside the villages do not provide the needed protection and defense to villagers. 

Second:

The Government of the Kurdistan Region needs to meet with the PKK and relay the message that they should respect the sovereignty of the Region’s territories as the Region is a constitutional entity and has common relations and interests with Turkey and Iran.

 Third:

The Government of the Kurdistan Region must bring the issue with the Federal Government and form a joint committee to visit the affected areas and assess the extent of damage that afflicted the area. It is the duty of the Federal Government to compensate the people of the border areas financially and morally.

Fourth:

The constant military bombardment of the border areas has led to the evacuation of a large number of villages of their original inhabitants. These villages were evacuated from their residents, either because of the occupation by the PKK or military operations are taking place. If the circumstances change and the combatants leave the area, the displaced people can go back and restart their lives. If this does not happen, other solutions must be found for this issue.