ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) called on Turkey late Friday to “respect” its sovereignty and homeland amidst a Turkish aerial and ground offensive in the Kurdistan Region in pursuit of suspected positions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)

The statement released late Friday added that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) must leave the Region’s borders.

Turkey launched a military operation against the PKK this week in the Kurdistan Region, as well as areas disputed between Erbil and Baghdad. The operation has killed at least five civilians - four in Duhok province and one in Erbil province.

Rudaw