Protesters storm Turkish military camp in Iraq’s Kurdish region

Protesters have attacked a Turkish military camp in Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, setting fire to watch towers and standing on tanks, local media have reported.

Local television, NRT, reported on Saturday that at least one person died in the attack where protesters stormed the military facility in Shiladze in Duhok province, some 70km north of Mosul.

According to NRT, Kurdish security forces dispersed the protesters after a number of tents were set ablaze.

#Updated: One protester dead in #Shiladze after Turkish military facility stormed: Health Directoratehttps://t.co/6Xhn8qYMtS #NRTnews #TwitterKurds #Turkey #Iraq #Kurdistan pic.twitter.com/g3oeeojDEk

— NRT English (@NRT_English) January 26, 2019

According to the local broadcaster, the protesters were said to be demonstrating against recent Turkish air strikes that killed four people.

Turkey carries out regular air raids against fighters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in northern Iraq.

The PKK has waged a decades-long armed fight against the Turkish state that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of people.

Responding to the attack, Turkey’s Defence Ministry wrote on Twitter: “An attack has occurred on one of bases located in northern Iraq as a result of provocation by the PKK terrorist organisation. There was partial damage to vehicles and equipment during the attack.”