Hundreds of Turkmen walk for 40 days to reach Turkey from Iraq

Civilians, mostly women and children, who left their hometown of Tal Afar, Iraq, have reached Turkey's border city of Hatay, after enduring harsh winter weather traveling on foot for 40 days.

Hundreds of Turkmens have arrived in the past three days. Most of them made the journey on foot, and only very few Turkmens were able to travel short distances via car.

The Turkmens faced grueling conditions, walking in the snow and bearing the cold. Hundreds of Turkmen have fled Tal Afar, deciding that walking to Hatay was better than staying amid the fighting at home.

The anti-Daesh international coalition and the Iraqi forces have been involved in fighting to clear Daesh out of Mosul, the de facto capital of the terrorist group in Iraq, after Deash occupied the city two years ago. Tal Afar, a small city in northern Iraq under Daesh occupation, has been seriously affected by the operation in the Mosul region. The city has been and is still experiencing constant warfare; therefore, locals, many of whom are Turkmen, have fled to Hatay.

They have taken refuge at Hatay's Aid Association (HAYAD), in the Kırıkhan district. HAYAD President Rahmi Vardı said that all the Turkmens that arrived in Hatay speak Turkish, and that they were handed clothing and shoes as soon as they arrived. HAYAD offered the Turkmens facilities to shower and provided them with a warm meal.

Volunteers from the local council, Governor's Office, District Governor's Office, UNICEF and Immigration Administration have supported and assisted the Turkmens.

Most of the Turkmens prefer not to reveal their identities. Upon reaching Turkey's border or a tent city established near a coach terminal, the majority of Tal Afar Turkmens who were medically treated were allowed to rest before traveling to other Turkish cities to various aid organizations or to be next to relatives.