Turkish Military Presence in Iraq: A Hundred Bases and Control Over a Vast Territory.

The Turkish army controls over 2000 sq. km in northern Iraq

According to a BBC investigation, the Turkish army currently has control over more than 2000 square kilometers of Iraqi territory in the northern part of the country. Journalists have identified at least 136 permanent military facilities built by the Turkish side, most of which appeared after 2018.

“Military bases are necessary for us to combat the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK),” said Turkish authorities.

However, these military facilities cause severe damage to the environment, destroying forests and limiting local people's access to natural resources. For example, due to the construction of a military base near the dam in the village of Sergelle, local residents lost access to water. Moreover, journalists witnessed Turkish troops pushing away Iraqi border guards responsible for protecting Iraq's border.

According to the human rights organization Community Peacemaker Teams, hundreds of civilians have died as a result of Turkish drone and air attacks, with thousands more forced to leave their homes. The Iraqi government condemned Turkey's military presence in the country; however, it still signed a memorandum with Turkey that does not restrict the presence of the Turkish army on Iraqi territory.

Therefore, Turkey's military control in northern Iraq has serious consequences for both the environment and the local population, who are direct witnesses to the destruction of life in the occupied territory.