5 Areas in Hakkari Declared ‘Special Security Zones’

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The Governorship of Hakkari has declared five areas in Hakkari center, Çukurca, Şemdinli, Yüksekova and Derecik as "special security zones". 

Releasing a statement on its website, the Governorship has announced that these five areas in Turkey's southeastern province of Hakkari will be "special security zones" as of October 29 till November 12. The Governorship has explained the background of its decision in following words:

"The terrorist and intimidating activities recently undertaken by the separatist terrorist organization and other terrorist organizations within the borders of our province have also begun to have a negative impact on the social and economic development of our province.

"As a result of these activities, our citizens have been deprived of their right to engage in their economic and social activities and their right to travel. Our citizens, whose daily lives have been negatively affected, have been experiencing a great aggrievement."

Within this context, the Governorship has indicated that "all types of measures are taken within the frame of related legislation to ensure security and public order in the region, primarily to safeguard citizens' safety of life and property, to maintain the existing environment of peace and trust and to protect the state and the nation from any terrorist threat and attack."

Accordingly, referring to the Law no. 2565 on Prohibited Military Zones and Security Zones, the Governorship of Hakkari has announced that "five areas within the borders of the city center and districts of Çukurca, Şemdinli, Yüksekova and Derecik have been declared as 'special security zones' as of October 29 at 00.00.01 a.m. to November 12 at 11.59.59 p.m."

Within the indicated time period, citizens will not be allowed to enter the specified areas without permission.

About Hakkari There are 4 towns, 122 villages and 368 hamlets in Hakkari Merkez (Center), Yüksekova, Şemdinli and Çukurca. Population of city center is 239, 455 and of rural area is 97,126, amounting to 336,581. 87.6% of the city is mountainous, 10.3% is plateau, 21.% is lowland. Hakkari Governor and Acting Mayor: İdris Akbıyık

(EMK/SD)