‘Life Stopped’ in Nusaybin, Central Şırnak

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“Clashes take place in civilian settlements and life has entirely stopped in these places”.

We have spoken with Human Rights Association (İHD) Mardin Branch President, Erdal Kuzu, and Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council Member, Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp informing on behalf of Regional Medical Chambers as to how curfews lasting in Şırnak central and Mardin’s Nusaybin affect daily life.

The curfews in Şırnak central and Nusaybin district of Mardin started on March 14 and have been ongoing for 1.5 months now.

Medical service suspended in Nusaybin

Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp has explained that medical activities have been suspended in Nusaybin:

“All community clinics in Nusaybin have terminated the activity. Only one state hospital is open and here the doctors work in turns. Besides, doctors going from the GATA (Gülhane Military Medical Academy) reportedly work.

“Many sections of the hospital are being used by military forces, special forces police officers and gendarmerie.

“Attorney, teachers have already left the district. Legal and education services have stopped.

“People escaped to Mardin central and Kızıltepe”.

Erdal Kuzu said they cannot receive reliable and clear information and their only source of information is the statement of Mardin Governor, Ömer Faruk Koçak.

“We don’t have a concrete information on how many civilians are left or whether civilians’ needs are met. There is no flow of information from there. We know that around 20 guerilla bodies have been brought, bodies of the ones killed in the conflict. But this information isn’t clear either”.

“The capacity is being exceeded in hospital where autopsies to be performed”

Dr. Gökalp spoke of condition of Şırnak as follows:

“Since it is not possible to leave home in curfew, whole daily life is affected. Pharmacies, community clinics, centers providing medical service…Medical services are staggering. Bakeries and markets are closing.

“Similar problems as in Cizre, Sur continue in Şırnak as well. Clashes take place in civilian settlements and life has entirely stopped in these places.

“Civilians abandon their homes in Şırnak. The life has been suspended in intense conflict zones.

“The capacity is being exceeded in hospital where autopsies to be performed. There are days when morgue falls short”.

“As TTB Central Council, we advocate that the killings must come to an end and life must sustain in a democratic, peaceful environment”. (AS/TK)

About Nusaybin Nusaybin is one of the 10 districts of Turkey's southeastern province of Mardin. The population is 97,156. Its southern neighboring country is Syria. Its Co-Mayors are Sara Kaya and Cengiz Kök from Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP). November 1, 2015 General Election Results HDP (% 89,38), Justice and Development Party (AKP) (% 8,62), People's Republican Party (CHP) (% 0,63), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) (% 0,55) June 7, 2015 General Election Results HDP (% 90,42, AKP (% 6,53), MHP (% 0.80), CHP (% 0,37)