Turkish armed forces have been launching air strikes and ground operations in several regions of the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), allegedly to target members of the Kurdish Workers" Party (PKK). On 20 and 21 June 2020, the area surrounding Zakho in Dohuk district of the Kurdistan Region was a main target. According to an interview with the regional Chaldean archbishop in a report published by Asianews on 22 June 2020, Christian villages were
bombed by Turkish fighter planes, causing many Christians to flee and find refuge in houses and churches in Zakho. Five Kurdish civilians and a Turkish soldier were killed; there were also some minor injuries among Christians. A Christian cemetery in Zakho was also hit.
Henriette Kats, persecution analyst at World Watch Research, comments: "This is a very sad development for the local population of this area, which includes Yazedis and Christians who fled the invasion of the Islamic State group just a few years ago. The recent attacks by Turkish forces have caused great panic and according to eyewitnesses large numbers of Christians families fled their homes. Turkish forces have been carrying out attacks against the PKK for decades, which has led to mass displacement of civilians, including Christians. The current operation is the biggest since 2015 and there is great concern that tensions in the region will grow worse, especially since these attacks have been occurring on a daily basis."
