Amnesty unveils Daesh destruction in Iraqi farmland

By Emel Oz Gozellik

ANKARA

Amnesty International on Thursday issued a report revealing damages by Daesh terror organization on water wells, farmlands and livestock in northern Iraq -- in a deliberate attack on the Ezidi community.

The report pointed out that Daesh terrorists damaged the farmlands, water wells, pumps, generators and electrical system, confiscated the livestock, and planted landmines under farmlands in northern Iraq.

Richard Pearshouse, a consultant to Amnesty International, said that Daesh terrorists deliberately damaged the farmlands in the rural area surrounding Sinjar Mountain, which now prevents the Ezidis and local people from returning to their homes.

Amnesty International's report called on the Iraqi government to repair the damaged infrastructure and compensate the losses of the displaced people.

Pearshouse urged Baghdad to implement the reconstruction plan immediately.

It was noted that the agricultural production in the country declined by 40 percent in comparison with 2014 figures.

Also, according to the report, about two-thirds of the Iraqi farmers had access to irrigation in 2014, however, the rate declined to some 20 percent.

The report went on to add that about 75 percent of cattle, sheep, goats and buffalo were lost after Daesh emerged; in some places the loss of farm animals amounted to 95 percent.

In the summer of 2014, Daesh overran much of northern and western Iraq.

After a three-year war, the Iraqi government declared last year that Daesh military presence in Iraq had all but ended through operations backed by a U.S.-led international alliance.

From time to time, however, Iraqi officials announce operations against Daesh-affiliated "sleeper cells" in certain parts of the country.