The village of Sergele, nestled in the mountains of Iraqi Kurdistan, has long thrived on farming pomegranates, almonds, and peaches, as well as foraging for wild fruits and spices in the nearby forests. However, with its location just 16 km (10 miles) from the Turkish border, the village has found itself increasingly surrounded by Turkish military bases, scattered across the nearby slopes. One base, located on the western ridge, looms over the village, while another is currently under construction on the eastern side.
Over the past two years, at least seven bases have been established in the area, including one near a small dam that controls the village’s water supply, making it inaccessible to locals. “This is definitely an occupation of Kurdish lands,” says Sherwan Sherwan Sergeli, a 50-year-old farmer who has lost access to parts of his land. “The Turks have destroyed it.”
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The Growing Threat of the “Forbidden Zone” and Its Impact on Sergele
Sergele is now in danger of being dragged into what’s known locally as the “Forbidden Zone” – a large strip of land in northern Iraq affected by Turkey’s war with the Kurdish militant group the PKK, which launched an insurgency in southern Turkey in 1984.
The Forbidden Zone spans almost the entire length of the Iraqi border with Turkey and is up to 40km (25 miles) deep in places.
Community Peacemaker Teams, a human rights group based in Iraqi Kurdistan, reports that drone and air strikes have killed hundreds of civilians in and around the Forbidden Zone. A 2020 Kurdistan parliamentary report states that the conflict has forced thousands off their land and emptied entire villages.
Sergele is now at the forefront of Turkey’s conflict with the PKK. Turkish aircraft are bombarding the surrounding mountains. The airstrikes target militants who have operated in northern Iraq for years. The intense shelling has scorched much of the land around the village. Local farmers, like Sherwan Sherwan Sergeli, are expressing growing concern. They note that the increasing number of Turkish military bases in the area is worsening the situation. The presence of more bases is making life more difficult for the village.
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