Iraqi Kurds Flee From Bombed Villages

Villages and their surroundings in Northern Iraq have been shelled by Turkey in anticipation of further PKK attacks says "Yüksekova News" newspaper Inhabitants of  five Kurdish settlements of  Xerizok, Kekley, Hezir, Bermize and Bêsun are reported to flee from their native villages.

Iraqi side also deployed arms

The newspaper said that three of the villages have been emptied totally, while there are still villagers living in the other two. The newspaper added that armed forces attached to the Kurdistan Regional Government also deployed heavy arms from a position facing the Yesilova Gendarmerie Station in Semdinli, province of Hakkari.

Mountains on fire

After the shellings the Skeri Bêsun mountain was covered in smoke, and the Piran and Ciyayi Res mountains were on fire.

According to reports the bodies of the 30 PKK militants, whom the Turkish Army General Staff has reported to be killed during the shellings of 23 October have not been recovered.

Iran also bombing

According to the "PUK media" news agency  based in Süleymaniye (Northern Iraq), the PKK has warned villagers to leave their villages near the Qandil mountain in anticipation of Turkish cross-border operations.

The same website also reported that the Iranian border is bombing the Qandil foothills. (TK/AG)