The Forbidden Zone: Why Is Turkey building military bases inside Iraq? - BBC World Service Docs

Video Description

#BBCEye Investigations uncovers Turkey’s growing military presence in northern Iraq and its impact on civilians. Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 https://bbc.in/3VyyriM For decades, Turkey has waged war against the PKK, a Kurdish militant group proscribed by various governments, deep in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. This remote area, known locally as the Forbidden Zone, has become the frontline of a hidden conflict. Now, exclusive BBC research using open source satellite imagery reveals a dramatic shift: Turkey’s war on the PKK is transforming into a military occupation. With over 130 Turkish bases and outposts mapped inside Iraq, this investigation shows how Turkey has gained de facto control of thousands of square kilometres of Iraqi land. Travelling to these restricted areas, the BBC exposes the human cost of Turkey’s military expansion. Reports from human rights groups estimate that over 700 civilians have been killed or injured, while families are forced to abandon their homes and farmland. The documentary follows those living under the shadow of Turkish bases, showing how their lives have been upended by airstrikes, displacement, and economic devastation. Through exclusive court documents, eyewitness testimony, and on-the-ground reporting, BBC Eye reconstructs a deadly airstrike that killed one Iraqi Kurdish man and critically injured another—raising urgent questions about accountability. The film also investigates the role of the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP), uncovering allegations that it has enabled Turkey’s influence in the region, obstructed justice for civilian casualties, and denied financial compensation to victims’ families. In an exclusive interview, Hoshyar Zebari, senior KDP official and former Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, responds to the film’s findings. The BBC repeatedly sought a response from Turkish authorities, but received no reply. 00:00 Introduction: Turkey's Hidden War 01:20 What is the forbidden zone? 04:19 Who are the PKK? 05:03 Innocent casualties 09:12 The history of the conflict 12:34 Turkish outposts in Iraq 16:12 The KDP’s relationship with Turkey 19:54 Current targetted areas 24:12 No justice for victims 30:20 Election time in Kurdistan 33:05 Turkey interfering with farmers’ lands 38:25 How many Turkish outposts in Iraq? 40:12 Kurdish authority accused of complicity 42:27 KDP wins the election 44:15 The human toll 📽 Watch this film in ARABIC here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCvP0SD7je0 🎞️ To watch more investigative journalism from our award-winning BBC Eye team check out this documentary playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4fa8LK1lptsvoA_spfJhzda 🎞️ Watch more BBC Arabic investigations here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4eYcZz_B4hdku76NOJjrJwl ---------------- This is the official BBC World Service YouTube channel. If you like what we do, you can also find us here: Instagram 👉🏽 https://www.instagram.com/bbcworldservice Twitter 👉🏽 https://twitter.com/bbcworldservice Facebook 👉🏽 https://facebook.com/bbcworldservice BBC World Service website 👉🏽 https://www.bbc.co.uk/worldserviceradio Thanks for watching and subscribing! #OSINT #BBCWorldService #WorldService #Documentaries #Turkey #Türkiye #InvestigativeJournalism