VIDEO: PKK expands in southern Erbil, controls Qerechukh Mountain

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters have extended their control beyond the refugee camp in Makhmour and occupy lands in southern Erbil, the town’s Mayor said on Friday.

There are several PKK fighters in the town of Makhmour located in the southern Kurdistan Region.

They have control over the Makhmour Refugee Camp and Qerechukh Mountain which is adjacent to the site.

"The ditches that have been created around the refugee camp for protection have been expanded by the force that manages the camp now,” Makhmour Mayor Rizgar Mohammed told Kurdistan24.

“The expansion has included people’s and government lands,” the Mayor added.

He mentioned the PKK had expanded its control outside of the camp, including the Makhmour graveyard.

The camp is home to almost 12,000 people originally from the Kurdish regions of southeastern Turkey who fled to the Kurdistan Region in 1995.

According to the people of Makhmour, the PKK at the camp trains teenagers from both genders on the use of weapons.

Additionally, the armed group has established over 13 watch barracks on Mount Qerechukh.

Some residents explained to Kurdistan24 the PKK prevented people from going to the mountain which used to be a resort.

“Once I went to the mountain by motorbike, the PKK opened fire on me and bullets hit close to my bike,” said a resident.

Others told Kurdistan24 they were afraid Makhmour would become similar to Shingal (Sinjar) city and Qandil mountain where PKK established bases and are repeatedly threatened by Turkey.

Kurdistan24 correspondent Goran Shakhawan tried to get a statement from PKK leaders in Makhmour, but they refused to comment, only stating the “people were lying.”

The presence of PKK in the area began when the refugee camp was created as they demanded to be in charge of the security of the camp.

PKK is labeled a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States.

The group’s armed struggle resumed against the Turkish government in June 2015 after two years of a ceasefire between both sides.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany
(Reporting by Goran Shakhawan)