The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres has said that, should Turkey carry out cross-border operations, there are great worries that there would be massive displacements of people in the area.
"Safest region" is already harbouring refugees from further south
"The Northern governates, or Kurdistan, is Iraq's most stable region. There are Iraqis living there who have come from southern or central Iraq in fear of their safety," he said.
"I can only express our very deep concern about any development that might lead to meaningful displacements of populations in that sensitive area," he added.
Referring to the parliamentary authorisation for cross-border operations which will be sought by the Turkish government today, Guterres said, "I hope that the authorisation will not be used."
According to UN statistics, four million Iraqis have been displaced due to the war. (TK/AG)
