Conflict in Turkey's Southeast: What Happened in Silvan over 10 Days?
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) Documentation Center has announced violation of rights against civilans during curfew that is in its 10th day now. The announcement stated that six people have been kiled by fire security forces opened.
Sixth curfew in two months |
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It was announced by Diyarbakır Governorate on November 3, 2015 that curfew will be imposed on the grounds to "close ditches opened" in Mescit, Tekel, and Konak neighborhoods. This is the sixth curfew declared in two months on Silvan district with population of 86,000. 2014 nüfus sayımına göre sokağa çıkma yasağı uygulanan mahallelerin nüfus bilgileri şöyle: According to census in 2014, population information of the neighbors on which curfew has been imposed is as follows: Mescit Neighborhood: 6,340 Konak Neighborhood: 5,193 Tekel Neighborhood: 2,812. |
Curfew day by day
November 3
Müslüm Tayyar (22) reportedly going home at the morning hours lost his life by fire armored police vehicle commenced.
Sertip Polat (20) was shot to dead in the evening in the operation launched by special operations teams.
As a reult of special operations teams commencing fire on people gathered in Silvan to protest curfew, Abdulkerim Eleftos (27) was wounded by a bullet hit his leg, and former Kurd-Der executive Faysal Korkmaz (40) was wounded by grenade thrower shell hit his body.
November 4
Engin Gezici (24) was heavily wounded resulted by fire special forces teams commenced.
His aunt, İsmet Gezici (55), seeing her wounded nephew and went by him to help was also shot by fire the same team commenced, both civilians lost their lives in the hospital where they were taken for treatment.
November 5
Mukaddes Arbağ (33) was heavily wounded at home during police raid.
November 6-7
Rıdvan Us (20) on November 6, and the day after Adnan Bakır states to be artisan in Tekel neighborhood were heavily wounded by shrapnel piece of grenade launcher bullet.
November 8
Mehmet Emin Çiçek (70) was wounded resulted by howitzer fired by special operations teams.
November 9
In Feridun neighborhood where there is no curfew, Mehmet Gündüz (Yavuz) (45) lost his life due to special operations teams opened fire at a coffee house. Seyfettin Kurt (44), Abdulsamet Kesici (50), and Kudbettin Çiçek were heavily wounded.
Yakup Sinbağ (20) lost his life by fire special operations teams opened in Tekel neighborhood at the evening hours.
Mustafa Sağlam (26) was wounded by fire opened in Selahattin neighborhood.
No water nor electricity, operation continues |
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TİHV has released balance-sheet on what happened during curfew in Silvan: * In total 14 civilians died as of August 16 when initial curfew was imposed. * As of the curfew declared on November 3, military tanks deploying around the city have blockaded the district. Military operations including aerial attacks backed by helicopters have lasted day and night. * In the three neighborhoods where the curfew imposed, there is no water, nor electricity. It was stated that people can't access food including bread, and the neighborhoods in question have become unlivable. * Special operations police reportedly made announcement via megaphone in armored vehicles and mosques, "Abandon the neighborhood or we will open fire on you all". * 20,000 people had to leave the area of 86,000 population upon operations in Silvan. * The delegation which includes HDP deputies Çağlar Demirel and Feleknas Uca wanted to go on November 10 to Mescit neighborhood where curfew is imposed but they were denied by security forces. * A tank reportedly crushed a soldier to death in district central on November 10. * It was stated that an Interior Ministry official said to HDP deputies that the operations have been intensified, and will "wipe the three neighborhoods off the map". |
Attacks against protests
Rights to live, freedom of expression and assembly have been violated in some solidarity protests in some of the areas of the neighborhoods where curfew has been imposed.
23 people were detained as a result of intervention made by security forces against people who wanted to protest the curfew on November 7.
Mehmet Emin Butanri (42) and Rafet Aşut (23) were wounded by police firing at people who took it to the streets on November 9 in Cizre to protest against curfew in Silvan.
14 people including HDP member and executive in addition to TİHV founder Coşkun Üsterci who did sit-in-act in front of İzmir Governorate to stick with Silvan on November 10 were taken into custody. (AS/TK)
About Silvan
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Silvan is one of 17 districts of Turkey's southeastern Diyarbakır province. Its population is 86,000,663 with a surface area of 1,373 km2. It consists of 11 neighborhoods, namely Yüksek, Konak, Cami, Feridun, Kale, Mescit, Tekel, Selahattin, Bağlar, Bahçelievler and Yenişehir. It is 78 km away from Diyarbakır center. Co-Mayors are Yüksel Bodakçi and Melikşah Teke from HDP. November 1, 2015 general election results: HDP (% 87,9), AKP (% 10,5), CHP (% 0,5), MHP (% 0,3) June 7, 2015 general election results: HDP (% 88,9), AKP (5,70), CHP (% 0,34), MHP (% 0,80) |
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* Photo: Anadolu Agency, Silvan