Peregraf
On August 23, 2025, Turkish soldiers detained 45 residents from the village of Guharze in Amedi district, Duhok governorate, while they attempted to harvest agricultural products in their old village lands. The incident occurred despite an existing coordination agreement between the Kurdistan Region’s security agencies and the Turkish army that permits villagers to access their lands for harvesting.
According to local accounts, the villagers, including young people and elders, went to collect seasonal crops such as sumac, almonds, grapes, and other products. Ahmed Abdullah, the mukhtar (village chief) of Guharze, told Peregraf that they were suddenly surrounded by Turkish soldiers shortly after arriving.
"At 7:00 AM, we went there with the people of the village. We had been walking through the village for about 10 minutes when Turkish soldiers suddenly surrounded us and told us: ‘This is a forbidden military area.’ We told them: ‘We have come with the permission of the Kurdistan Region’s Asayish (security forces).’ In response, they said: ‘We have not received any official document’," Abdullah said.
The villagers were detained for two hours before being released and sent back empty-handed.
Under the coordination agreement, more than 15 villages in the Beri Gare area of Amedi are allowed to enter their villages for a limited period of 10 days each year to harvest seasonal crops such as grapes, apples, almonds, and sumac. Abdullah noted that while other villages had accessed their lands without issue, Guharze and the nearby village of Bilava have faced repeated obstacles.
"The residents of the Beri Gare villages have been visiting their villages for two days and have had no problems. Problems are only being created for us and the village of Bilava. We don’t know why they are only creating problems for us," Abdullah added.
Following the incident, Guharze residents reported the matter to the Asayish, who told them to wait while the issue is addressed.
For years, Amedi district has been heavily affected by ongoing conflict between PKK guerrillas and the Turkish military, with many villages abandoned or destroyed. The fighting has inflicted significant material damage on local vineyards and orchards, preventing families from returning permanently.
Although Turkey’s peace process has seen partial progress, villagers in the Kurdistan Region say it has not yet created a path for their safe return. Turkish forces continue to maintain a presence in the area and have not withdrawn from any of their positions.