The Turkish military on Friday, June 26, carried out airlift operations by military helicopters and took control of the Khamtir Heights in the northeast of the city of Zakho in Dohuk province, according to Rudaw TV.

Turkey's military and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) forces clashed severely five kilometers from the village of Sharansh in northeast of Zakho, the report said.

The Turkish forces were backed by army and fighter artillery, and the operation was carried out over the area.

Zirwan Moussa, the mayor of Darkari district in Dohuk province said 13,000 residents in 30 villages are in sever danger because of the deployment of the Turkish army at the Khamtir and Zakho heights and the ongoing bombardment of the region.

According to him, 27,000 refugees also are based in three separate refugee camps in the region.

Meanwhile, Batifa District Governor Delshir Abdul Sattar announced that 12 villages in the district have received damages by the bombardment and the shelling of the Turkish army.

So far, one of the villages in the area has been completely evacuated, and three others are to be evacuated, he said, adding that the lives of 10,000 residents in the area are in serious danger.

Reporter’s code: 50101