Turkey’s efforts conclusive; Iraqis take measures against PKK

The harsh measures that the Kurdish administration launched following a meeting between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President George W. Bush are most visible in the Kandil Mountains. The Cihan news agency entered the Çoman region, where the most effective measures were taken, with special permission. Precautions taken by peshmerga forces in the Kandil Mountains in Çoman, situated on the border between Iran and Iraq, have drawn attention. Frequent flights over the town are also visible.

Locals have reported two flights very recently, but because they were flying high, the purpose of the flights was not clear. There are also reports indicating that Turkish warplanes attacked an abandoned station in Vansora, previously used by PKK militants. Kurdish authorities confirmed the reports, adding that Turkish jets have bombed several other targets in northern Iraq. Speaking to Cihan, authorities said the bombed regions were abandoned.

Iran’s army frequently stages incursions into Çoman because it is close to the Kandil Mountains. A few houses in Ena, a residential area in this region, were hit by the Iranian forces. Because of the frequent incursions carried out by Iran to eliminate the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan (PJAK), the PKK’s extension in Iran, the locals have left their homes.

Special peshmerga forces have been stationed at point zero along the Kandil Mountains and close to the Hajj Umran region, also known as the Iranian-Iraqi border gate. The area is patrolled 24 hours a day. The newly established stations along the road demonstrate the resolve of northern Iraqis to deal with the terrorist organization.

Çoman is known as point zero at the Iran-Iraq border. Weather is already inclement in the region, partly because of the 3,600-meter altitude. Peshmergas light fires to warm up. The region consists of mountainous areas; no passage with vehicles is possible at some points. Determined to prevent passage through the mountainous area, the special peshmerga forces monitor the region with equipment and weaponry that can be used in sudden confrontations. Çoman is a very critical area because it is the intersection of the Iran-Iraq border and the starting point of the Kandil Mountains, used by the PKK and PJAK as a base. This critical region is 50 kilometers from Turkey’s town of Şemdinli. Çoman and its villages are the closest residential areas to the Kandil Mountains.

Only farmers are allowed on foot at some points where no vehicles are permitted. In this particular area, peshmerga forces are intensifying their measures. Armed peshmergas constantly patrol the passages through Kandil and notify headquarters in Çoman in case of an emergency. At the last control point, no one is allowed further. Only farmers are admitted, but on a limited basis.

Çoman Governor Abdulvahid Guani, responsible for safety measures at the critical point, asserts that every step possible in the region was taken, but also says that the geography is very difficult to control. Stressing that there is no passage from the region to the other side, Guani says: “We took impressive measures here. Some are visible, some are not. We do not allow passage of food or equipment to the other side. Our special peshmerga forces, who have received specialized training to carry out this job, constantly patrol and monitor the region. We have orders not to allow anyone to pass, so we do not. We do not allow passage at the points we are told to patrol. The region was attacked by Iran before; for this reason, most people abandoned the town - people who used to live in Ena, in particular, migrated.”