Residents of Keshan village near the Turkish border celebrated their annual festival for the first time in decades after a ceasefire ended years of conflict between the Kurdistan Workers' Party and Turkey. Walat Haji, a 40-year-old farmer, said he witnessed the event for the first time in 40 years after being displaced from his ancestral home. Khabbat Abdul Sattar explained that villagers previously could not stay in the area past sunset due to fear, but they can remain overnight under the current peace.
Festival organizer Siban Nadhir said the event marks the beginning of a new chapter for the region, and he hopes it will grow in the coming years. Residents of nearby Dereşe village reported no airstrikes or artillery attacks for 20 days, allowing them to work their fields without fear. The Turkish-PKK conflict has affected border zones in areas like Qandil, Hakurk, and Gara for decades, causing extensive damage to homes, roads, and agricultural lands.
Festival organizer Siban Nadhir said the event marks the beginning of a new chapter for the region, and he hopes it will grow in the coming years. Residents of nearby Dereşe village reported no airstrikes or artillery attacks for 20 days, allowing them to work their fields without fear. The Turkish-PKK conflict has affected border zones in areas like Qandil, Hakurk, and Gara for decades, causing extensive damage to homes, roads, and agricultural lands.
