As the people of South Kurdistan prepare to take to the streets in protest at Turkish massacre of civilians and Turkish military presence in the region, the ruling KDP (Kurdistan Democratic Party) has deployed 3,000 peshmergas to prevent uprising and protect Turkish bases.

According to reports, the peshmerga force deployed in the region on June 25 evening also includes Roj peshmergas. Most of these were stationed around the Turkish military forces in Sheladize, Bamerne and Amadiya, while the others will be active to counter the popular uprisings on the streets. Video footages from the area show the deployment of peshmerga forces on several streets.

The development comes after the Turkish massacre of civilians and uprising of the Sheladize people who gave three days for their demands to be met by the authorities against the increasing deadly attacks by the Turkish state.

On June 20, the Turkish army targeted civilians in the region and struck young people who were on their way to the fields. Four young men were killed in the attack, one of whom had taken part in the Sheladize uprising last year.

On the day of the attack, people from Sheladize, Deralok and Amadiya gathered in Sheladize. As a result of the protest and ensuing talks, people conveyed their demands to the KDP officials, which were as follows:

Closure of Turkish military bases in Sheladize and Amadiya, ending of Turkish military presence.

Release of all those arrested during last year’s uprising.

Clearance of the ways leading to Rekani villages and ending of the bombardment on the region.

In June 2019, the Turkish state bombed the vicinity of Zap and Deralok, killing 5 civilians. The people of Sheladize rose up, marched to the Turkish base which they seized control of for a short time.