Turkey's Kurds warn of massive refugee flow from northern Iraq

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, August 27, 2014
Adjust font size:

Around 60,000 Iraqis are preparing to cross into Turkey from Iraq as attacks by the Islamic State (IS) continue to intensify, Kurdish civil society groups said on Monday.

The Democratic Society Congress, a group of Kurdish non- governmental organizations, held a press conference in Diyarbakir on Monday night to highlight the issue.

A member of parliament with the pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) warned that on Sunday alone 3,000 people crossed into Turkey, while another 60,000 are waiting for entry at the border.

Under the umbrella of congress, the HDP and the Democratic Regional Party have established two committees that have visited northern Iraq and Syria, pledging to help meet the basic needs of the displaced.

Thousands of Iraqis are fleeing from the violence of the IS, an al-Qaida offshoot that has gained momentum while fighting in Iraq and Syria.

After capturing large swathes of territories in the two countries, the IS has been accused of committing massacres against vulnerable Iraqi minorities, particularly the Yazidi people. Reports alleged the IS militants had kidnapped men and raped women and girls, with footage showing the militants beheading men.

Around 160,000 people have taken refuge in the northern Iraqi province of Zakho, while another 180,000 have been waiting in the nearby province of Dohuk and around 100,000 reportedly trapped around the Sinjar Mountain.

Turkey's official organization for national emergencies, the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD), has been attempting to supply and meet the needs of conflict victims outside of Turkey's border. But AFAD officials said the aides aim to not let the refugees cross the border.

According to AFAD, Turkey plans to establish three tent camps inside Iraq for both the Yazidi people and Turkmens. Two separate camps are being constructed in Zakho and are expected to host some 10,000 people during its first phase. Later the capacity of the camps will be boosted to host 16,000 people. The third camp will be based in Dohuk and reserved for Turkmens with a capacity of 20, 000.

AFAD has also delivered 155 trucks of humanitarian aid to northern Iraq for the Yazidis and Turkmens. A humanitarian aid distribution center has also been established by AFAD at the border to support northern Iraqis.

But these humanitarian measures still have not capped the number of Yazidis who are fleeing across the border to Turkey, as reports said that almost 20,000 people had already entered the country. Endi

Follow China.org.cn on Twitter and Facebook to join the conversation.
Print E-mail Bookmark and Share

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)

No comments.

Add your comments...

  • User Name Required
  • Your Comment
  • Enter the words you see:   
    Racist, abusive and off-topic comments may be removed by the moderator.
Send your storiesGet more from China.org.cnMobileRSSNewsletter