Iraq News Now

SHARANISH, Kurdistan Region — Many people in villages in the Kurdistan Region near the Iraq-Turkey border have dealt with the sounds of artillery and planes for three decades, but in the Christian village of Sharanish near Zakho all that can be heard is the birds.

People have closed their houses and abandoned their properties and belongings. The 14 families of Sharanish don’t know when they will return. It recently was bombed twice.

There are at least 25 villages in Darkare subdistrict in Zakho. Some straddle the border.

People remain in the villages of Paraq and Dashtataq.

"These two villages are still inhabited, and nearly 20-30 families remain in the upper Sharanish village. Five to six families are here. People used to move around in the past, but can’t do that this year because of artillery and bombing," a local told Rudaw.

Border patrol guards are seen in Sharanish.

Mayor of Darkare Zirvan Ismael explains that people passing through should mind their safety.

"There is daily shelling, and we have informed international organizations about this, asking them to help us to reach an agreement with the Turkish state so this area is not evacuated," he said.

Zeravan is a shepherd in Paraq and Dashtataq.

"Both villages were shelled. I am herding 70 sheep from two villages. Only shepherds remain here. Our families have left for Zakho until the situation calms. If it doesn’t, we have to find a way…" he said.

An assessment team from the district of Darkare has recorded the damage of the shelling. Since last year, damage amounting to 2 billion dinars ($1.68 million) has been inflicted on the farms and homes.

Locals claim because of the conflict between the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and Turkish state, there have been more than 300 shellings since last year.

Reporting by Yusif Musa