HRW: Targeted areas not used by the armed groups

weney_13HRW, — Iran and Turkey’s cross-border attacks in South Kurdistan have killed at least 10 civilians and displaced hundreds since mid-July 2011, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said today.

Some of the attacks may have been carried out without sufficient attempts to ensure minimal impact on civilians, HRW added.

Both Iran and Turkey say that their military operations, including artillery and aerial bombardments, are aimed at armed groups operating out of South Kurdistan along the northern and eastern borders.

When Human Rights Watch visited those areas in August, Iraqi residents and officials said that many of the targeted areas are purely civilian and are not being used by the armed groups.

Evidence suggests that the regular Iranian bombardments may be an attempt to force Iraqi civilians out of some areas near the Iranian border.

“Year after year, civilians in northern Iraq [south Kurdistan] have suffered from these cross-border attacks, but the situation right now is dire,” said Joe Stork, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch.

“Iran and Turkey should do all they can to protect civilians and their property from harm, no matter what the reason for their attacks in Iraqi Kurdistan,” he added.

Iran started its cross-border attacks of South Kurdistan in northern Iraq in mid-July, claiming to be targeting guerrillas of Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), while PJAK’s guerrillas are settled deep inside Iranian borders.

Beginning on August 18, Turkey carried out attacks across its border with Iraq, targeting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), while similar to PJAK; the PKK’s guerrillas are positioned within Turkish territories.