The Turkish army's previous annual spring offensives were in violation of international law, said the Red Youth Norway, adding that the current Turkish attack is also illegal.

The statement said: “Contrary to what the Turkish government claims, there is no ‘self-defense situation’ in the attacks on areas in northern Iraq.  This had already been stated by the German Bundestag's scientific service in an expert report in 2020 - and it still applies today. According to the report, there was no threat of a ‘current or imminent armed attack from the PKK’.

The Turkish attack on northern Iraq caused damage and panic among villagers in Duhok and Erbil provinces.  These attacks endanger the lives of the people of the Kurdistan region, damage farmers' lands and properties, destroy buildings and homes and damage natural forests.  More than 800 villages were evacuated as a result of the attacks by Turkey and the clash between the Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers' Party.”

The statement continued: “The office of the President of Iraq said that "Turkey's military operation threatens Iraq's national security" and Iraq has already called in Turkey's ambassador on the carpet and handed over their protests.

In the areas of Metîna, Avaşîn and Zap, the Turkish army has used chemical weapons according to the Kurdish guerrillas and civilian population.  This is not the first time.  In the usual way, the many reports and documentation on the use of chemical weapons, which are prohibited under international law, should have led to investigations by the UN-affiliated OPCW (Organization for the Prevention of the Use of Chemical Weapons).  But since the OPCW only takes action at the instigation of a state government, this has not happened.  Affected populations must also be able to call on the OPCW, otherwise this institution will largely remain an instrument for powerful states and a toothless tiger.”

Red Youth listed its demands as follows:

“-Norway's Foreign Minister condemns Turkey's violation of international law

-We urge the OPCW to investigate allegations of use of chemical weapons

-Turkey withdraws its forces from Iraq.”