Tunnels near Turkish base found in Kurdistan Region

DUHOK, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Locals in a rural area of the Duhok Province on Tuesday found five tunnels dug under a road frequently used by civilians but also a contingent of the Turkish army stationed at a base nearby.

Officials in the Amedi town of Duhok told Kurdistan24 they were investigating who might have dug the tunnels under the road to the sub-district of Dereluk.

The tunnels appeared to be around 20 centimeters in diameter and several feet in length.

There were rumors among the locals that Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) members, who have a presence in about 200 villages in the region, were responsible.

However, officials said they could not confirm the reports.

Bextiyar Dogan, a spokesperson for PKK’s People’s Defence Forces (HPG) contacted by a Kurdistan24 reporter via telephone, denied any responsibility, adding they were also conducting an investigation on their behalf.

Head of Goharze village where the road passes said residents of the area were worried about their safety as they feared IED explosions and demanded the concerned sides to provide answers.

Amedi region, just south of the Kurdistan Region’s border with Turkey, is an active military zone due to the ongoing conflict between the Turkish Army and PKK.

Since mid-2015, when a tentative ceasefire collapsed, there have been daily airstrikes on alleged PKK positions in Amedi along the Qandil mountains where the group is based.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany

(Islam Yusuf in Duhok contributed to this report.)