Citizens said the Kurdistan Regional Government is responsible for the invading Turkish state presence in the Bradost region in southern Kurdistan, northern Iraq, and voiced their protest.

A citizen named Behmen Ferhad said the Kurdistan Regional Government has allowed the invading Turkish state to cross into the region: “Unfortunately, the Turkish state has been present in the region for a few years. We are subjected to their pressure, and we can’t go to our villages or highlands. Because the Turkish soldiers bomb where we live, and where our livelihood is. They shoot at us.”

Another citizen named Siyako Qadir pointed out the size of the region and added: “The Bradost region is suitable for husbandry. The Turkish state doesn’t let us raise animals. They bomb the area, our lives are in danger. We have suffered great material damage in the attacks.”

Qadir stressed that the Kurdistan Regional Government is responsible for the invasion, and added that the government doesn’t speak out against the Turkish or Iranian invasions.

A young citizen named Hazim Hatem condemned the Turkish state attacks. Hatem pointed out that the Turkish state is increasing its influence in the region, and added that this is causing fear among the populace, demanding that the government take a serious stance against the invasion.

Another citizen named Îskender Reshîd said: “The Bradost region is not prioritized by the government. They haven’t visited the region once in 4 years. We elected them, they went to the Parliament, and forgot about Bradost for 8 million Iraqi Dinars a month.”

Reshîd spoke about the extent of the invasion and said the Turkish state is currently 27 km in from the border in a foreign country, and has invaded the Bradost region. Reshîd said the government should condemn the invasion just once, if they find time from praising themselves. He added that Iran has been bombing the Bermiz and Kelashin Plains with mortars, and that the highlands have taken a lot of damage.

WHAT HAD HAPPENED ON SEPTEMBER 27?

On September 27, the invading Turkish state entered the Bradost region’s Shapan village with a large arsenal of military vehicles and construction equipment. They excused the invasion by saying they were “opening the border between Bakur (North Kurdistan) and Bashur (South Kurdistan)”.