DUHOK -  Findings and documents obtained from the bodies of the HPG members and the scenes where the chemical weapons were used, were sent to international non-governmental organizations, the USA and EU member states.

 

The military operation launched by Turkey on April 24 against the Metîna, Avaşîn and Zap regions of the Federated Kurdistan Region continues with intense attacks on its 200th day. Unable to progress in the operation despite air and ground bombardments, Turkey resorted to the use of chemical weapons, which is considered a war crime. According to the 6-month balance sheet of the People's Defense Forces (HPG) in the Fırat News Agency (ANF), the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) used chemical weapons 323 times. In its statement, HPG announced that 33 members have lost their lives so far due to the use of chemical weapons.

 

KDP'S EFFORT TO COVER UP THE ATTACKS ON CIVILLIANS

 

Civilian settlements are also affected by Turkey's chemical attacks. As a result of the attacks, 548 people in the Behdinan region applied to the hospitals in Duhok and its surrounding districts with the complaint that they were affected by chemical weapons. KDP, which does not disclose the records in the hospitals, maintains its silence despite the reactions of the people of the region. The KDP, which is involved in Turkey's attacks, is trying to hide the use of chemical weapons by keeping its silence, and preventing non-governmental organizations and journalists from going to the region.

 

FINDINGS OF EZÎZ WEYSÎ

 

It has been claimed that Ezîz Weysî, who is responsible for the Zerewanî, Gulan and Roj Peshmerga forces affiliated to the KDP, has many findings regarding Turkey's use of chemical weapons. However, Weysi did not disclose these findings to the public despite the calls. It has been claimed that Weysi, with a unit formed by Roj Peshmerga, Gulan and Zerewanî special forces, provided intelligence information to the TAF on mine clearance and the points and routes of HPG forces in order to make way for the TAF.

 

SILENCE OF HEWLÊR AND BAGHDAD

 

Turkey first used chemical gas in the tunnels in the Avaşîn region in line with the intelligence information provided by the KDP on May 3, the 10th day of the operation. It was announced that 3 HPG members lost their lives as a result of this chemical weapon attack by Turkey. Despite the findings and documents, Turkey, benefitting from the silence of the Hewlêr and Baghdad administrations, continued to carry out chemical weapons attacks.

 

INTERNATIONAL CALLS

 

Together with the Kurdistan Communities Union (Koma Civakên Kurdistan-KCK) and HPG, 153 people, including intellectuals, writers, parliamentarians, journalists, university lecturers, 44 Iraqis and 65 women activists called on the United Nations (UN) and the Office of Disarmament Affairs and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Executive Committee to investigate Turkey's use of chemical weapons. Kurds in Europe also demanded that a delegation to be sent to the Federated Kurdistan Region with their march from the Hague Court of Justice to the OPCW against the use of chemical weapons.

 

USE OF CHEMICAL WEAPONS REPORTED

 

Despite all these calls, while the silence of international institutions continued, non-governmental organizations and Kurdish personalities in the Federated Kurdistan Region prepared reports on the findings from the bodies of the HPG members and their findings from the area where the chemical weapons were used. The report was sent to 28 international non-governmental organizations and many international institutions, including the United States (USA) and European Union member states.

 

 

MA / Erdoğan Altan