Factual error in BBC report about Turkish air strikes against PKK bases.

Not entirely correct – factual error in BBC report about Turkish air strikes against PKK bases.

Subject: Error today in http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33663005 and TV-report about the same.

Dear journalists at the BBC.

I am Heine Strømdahl, math teacher from Copenhagen.

Thanks for your fine and dedicated work, I highly appreciate it and watch BBC World news on a daily basis!

However, as far as I am informed, there is a factual error! – or at least something you need to clarify - in your report about the recent Turkish F-16 bomb attacks directed against the PKK bases in Iraqi Kurdistan - and perhaps also some PKK bases in Turkey itself.

In the article, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-33663005 , it is written that

”The overnight air strikes in northern Iraq were the first time Turkey had attacked the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) since a 2013 truce”.

Screenshot BBC article, 

1: The Turkish Air Force attacked and bombed PKK bases in Turkey in the month of June. (june 30)

”According to the HPG statement, the bombardment with a number of warplanes of the Turkish army targeted the areas of Avashin, Martyr Rahime, Martyr Bager, Martyr Erdal, Martyr Gafur, Martyr Afad and Şaxê Nêriya in Medya Defense Zones at between 09.10 - 13.00 today.

HPG reported that the bombardment which was also supported by tank, howitzer and mortar attacks”

Source: http://anfenglish.com/kurdistan/hpg-turkish-army-conducted-bombardment-with-warplanes

2: More generally speaking it would appear that in reality the Turkish Army has been quite aggressive in operations directed against the PKK inside of Turkey for the last few months.

For example, the PKK itself says – or claims - that The Turkish Army has set up numerous ambushes in the ”guerilla zones”. And it is well known that ”small” skirmishes between the PKK and The Turkish Army have occured several times during the last few months – resulting in some casualties on both sides.

In making this assertion I am relying heavily on my accumulated readings at http://www.diclehaber.com/ , and http://www.firatnews.com/ + a few others.

Example 1:

”one PKK guerrilla also lost his life.” http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/452515?page=1&key=ddafd30a3a9ff41efdd6d224cbcfe6a9

Ex 2:

”Maxzume Muhammedzade, from Selmas city of East Kurdistan, lost her life in an ambush laid by Turkish soldiers in Eruh district of Siirt on 14 June.”

http://www.diclehaber.com/en/news/content/view/462430?page=1&key=99f9ba27c5607327bf761611a578d7f1

I have taken this subject up in more extensive detail in this piece (see page 5 and end notes), which includes some sources:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4hjJTbOj_agTExoU0Zyelh1SkU/view

If these reports hold true then by implication, you will need to clear up any confusion and correct the sentence ”The overnight air strikes in northern Iraq were the first time Turkey had attacked the PKK (Kurdistan Workers' Party) since a 2013 truce”.

It may be entirely correct that the strike is the first Turkish bomb attack against PKK inside Iraqi Kurdistan since 2013, but apart from that the sentence is quite misleading and certainly need some clarification – I think you should take the issue up in much more detail in another report.

Please correct me if I am wrong, but I guess we can agree?

Once again, thanks for your service!

Sincerely yours

Heine Strømdahl

Gentofte

Copenhagen

P.S.

I cannot help but think about the events at Mount Sinjar and ask: Who was it, that helped the Yazidies on Mount Sinjar?

According to your own reporting, it was PKK affiliated forces, that did most of ”the rescue work”. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-28925179 .

P.P.S.

Excuse my broken English!

Picture: PKK fighters. Joey Lawrence. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153469022284225&set=a.10150104810234225.304809.509719224&type=1&hc_location=ufi   

Read the piece in PDF here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4hjJTbOj_agblN0LVhYaGtTakk/view?usp=sharing