Echoes of War: The Untold Stories of Northern Iraq

The Shadows of Conflict

Imagine waking up to the sound of drones, not birds, marking a new day. In the mountains of northern Iraq, this has become the grim reality for many. This region, known as the forbidden zone, is more than just a battleground; it's a place where families' dreams and futures are shattered in the blink of an eye.

In August 2023, a chilling event unfolded that captures the essence of this ongoing conflict. Hashim Shakar and his cousin Alan were merely driving near their village when their lives changed forever due to a Turkish drone strike. Alan, a young man battling stage 4 cancer, did not survive.

The Cost of Conflict

This tragedy is one of many, hidden away in the remote corners of Iraqi Kurdistan. The conflict between Turkey and the PKK, a Kurdish nationalist group, has raged since 1984, claiming over 40,000 lives. Many of these victims are civilians, caught in the crossfire of a seemingly endless war.

Through exclusive access and open-source satellite imagery, we uncover the scale of Turkey's military footprint in Iraq, revealing over 136 bases that challenge the sovereignty of an entire nation.

Voices Silenced, Truths Untold

The human cost of this conflict extends beyond immediate casualties. Hundreds of villages have been abandoned, and families like Alan's are left to seek justice in a world that seems to have forgotten them. The Kurdish government's questionable handling of death certificates, often masking the true cause of death to avoid international scrutiny, adds to the agony of those left behind.

This investigation sheds light on the darker aspects of the Kurdish government's relations with Turkey, suggesting a complex web of geopolitics and suppressed truths.

A Call for Acknowledgment and Action

As the world moves forward, the families affected by the conflict in northern Iraq remain in limbo, waiting for acknowledgment and compensation that may never come. The story of Alan and Hashim is a poignant reminder of the human faces behind the headlines.

What can be done to bring peace to this troubled region? Is international intervention necessary to ensure justice for the victims?