Fires in Syriac Villages: 'Even if It is Not Sabotage, There is Gross Negligence'

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Fires broke out in six Syriac villages in Mardin around Mount Bagok. While there were no losses of lives, vineyards and vegetable gardens were destroyed, Deyrulzafaran Monastery was damaged and 700 trees were razed.

All of the six settlements, namely Elbeğendi, Güzelsu, Dibek, Üçköy, Üçyol Dağiçi, being Syriac villages lead to claims that the fires broke out as a result of sabotage acts.

"State doesn't use helicopters"

"Even if there is no sabotage, there is serious negligence. For years, they have been fires braking about because of 'transformers' and nothing is being done," MP Çelik told bianet.

Saying that he submitted a parliamentary question on the fires last year and did not receive a response, Tuma remarks, "That is a mountainous and forested land. And there is a lot of grass. Even after the slightest spark, the place is very hard to reach. Unfortunately, the state does not use helicopters.

"Great damage to nature occurs every time. If there are vegetable gardens, crops, people are hurt, too.

"Both animals and biological diversity suffer damage. Even if there is no sabotage, either electric poles or wires get broken and fires break out. A short circuit happens and fires break out. Every time, there is a problem with the transformers.

"Now it becomes impossible to call this an accident. Even if this problem is expressed, there are no measures.

"People can lose their labor for a whole year so easily. A permanent solution must be found and the conditions should be formed to quickly extinguish fires in the region."

"Dry grass is gunpowder"

Evgil Türker, the chairperson of the Federation of Syriac Associations, said, "This is the season of vineyards. All of them were razed. There is great damage," speaking to bianet.

"Gendarmerie and security forces are investigating the incident, we want to learn what really happened.

"The officials should especially repair the problematic electric lines around Mount Bagok. It should be urgently secured. More horrible things may happen.

"And our people should really be careful. This is a dry place. It doesn't rain for five or six months. All the dry grass is gunpowder.

The European Syriac Union also released a statement, saying that the fires should be investigated.

Because of the incidents repeat, necessary precautions and security measures should be taken, it added.

"It is important that the citizens who suffered damage be supported by the state. As the European Syriac Union, we express that we will follow the incidents," the statement said. (PT/VK)