Roads leading to 15 villages at the foot of Mount Gara in Duhok province have reopened, ending years of restrictions caused by clashes between the Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The move has prompted the return of displaced families to their homes and farmland, marking a significant shift for the long-suffering border region.

According to a report by Kurdistan 24, residents attribute the newfound stability to a recent Turkish peace process, which has created calmer conditions along the mountainous border with Turkey. For decades, cross-border fighting has displaced residents from dozens of villages, devastating local livelihoods and forcing many to abandon agriculture.

The change is most immediate for farmers in the Amedi district. Previously, they were granted only brief, limited windows of just a few hours to plant or harvest their crops before being forced to leave the area due to security concerns. Now, they can access their land without fear.

“For a week now, the people of the village have been returning to their homes. The area has become calm,” one villager from Dereshe, a village heavily damaged by past Turkish airstrikes and artillery, told Kurdistan 24. “We are happy that we can now go to our orchards and farm without fear.”

The economic impact is substantial. The area is known for its sumac, walnut, and grape orchards, with sumac being the most abundant crop. Figures from the Duhok Directorate of Agriculture indicate that revenue from the region’s sumac production alone reaches approximately 500 million Iraqi dinars annually.

While the mood is hopeful, the scars of conflict remain. The villager from Dereshe noted, “Due to the shelling by Turkish artillery and planes, these villages suffered a lot of damage. Our house was also shelled, but we did not die.” He confirmed that shelling had ceased for about 20 days, allowing residents to finally rest.

The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been engaged in an armed conflict with the Turkish state since 1984, fighting for greater Kurdish autonomy. The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives.