Source published: 2 Oct 2026 20:20 UTC
Urgency: Watch · Evidence: Attributed claim
Shafaq News interviewed residents about continued cutting of mature trees in Duhok. In a follow-up, the KRG’s Department of Foreign Relations denied remarks attributed to its head, Safeen Dizayee, about KRG knowledge of border tree cutting. That denial does not resolve the extent of loss or responsibility.
What the sources establish
Shafaq relays the department’s denial; the original statement was not inspected directly. Its earlier resident interviews did not contain the disputed quote. Neither report independently establishes logging extent, responsibility or authorisation. No independent corroboration was found. Event time retains the October 2 publication minute, not a logging time. Military positions, movements, routes, vulnerable settlements and inferred identities remain excluded.
Evidence last checked: 4 Oct 2026 21:18 UTC.
Corrections and updates
Update, October 4: Added the department’s denial of remarks attributed to Dizayee. The earlier report did not carry those comments; the denial does not settle the underlying logging claims.
4 Oct 2026 21:18 UTC — Added the attributed denial, distinguishing disputed remarks from unresolved logging claims; retained original time and provincial marker.
Saved editions of this story
Sources
- Shafaq News
local report relaying the KRG Department of Foreign Relations’ denial of remarks attributed to Safeen Dizayee
- Shafaq News
original interviews with unnamed residents and specialists; attributed accounts and environmental warnings