'Warplanes bombard rural areas in Dersim'

Photo: DEDEF

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Dersim Associations Federation (DEDEF) announced that due to the ongoing military operations by the Turkish Armed Forces(TAF) in Hozat and Ovacık districts, rural areas are being bombed from the air, and entrances and exits to Kakper village are banned.

On behalf of DEDEF, Munzur Protection Board held a press conference at the İstanbul Branch of the Human Rights Association (İHD) yesterday (Jun 13).

"Those who are hostile to Dersim and everything about it are burning our forest. They are burning our future altogether. Their excuse is the same: terror, public order." said Ali Rıza Bilir, deputy chair of DEDEF.

Bilir gave the information that a military operation was launched in Dersim last week.

"The countryside of Kakper Village, located between the Hozat and Ovacık districts, was bombed from the air."

The operation continues for 6 days

"According to local sources, the surrounding of Kakper village was bombed by warplanes, and entrances and exits to the village were prohibited. The smoke rising from the forest was recorded by the villagers with mobile."

"The operation has been continuing for 6 days in an area close to the villages (the region where Kakper, Zoğar, Tanzi, Kızıl Kilise, and Çamurek villages are located between the Dersim-Ovacık-Hozat districts)".

Forests destroyed in the name of "fighting terrorism"

"Our forests burned for weeks last year due to military operations and these fires were not extinguished for a long time on purpose. These fires are not natural disasters, but the state is the cause behind them. Our future is burning, " Bilir said adding, "Let's stop this altogether."

"Thousands of hectares of forests have been destroyed for many years under the name of 'fighting against terrorism' in Dersim and other provinces in the region. We, the people of Dersim, know very well that burning forests will not solve any problems."

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Banned to people of Dersim, free to mining companies

The statement also drew attention to the ongoing mineral exploration work conducted by the mining companies.

"The villagers are not allowed to go to their villages and homes, but the mining companies are conducting unlawful and unauthorized mineral exploration in Otlubahçe village under the control of law enforcement."

"Assimilation centers are opening"

"Meanwhile, efforts of the state to assimilate Alevis in the region continue," said Bilir.

"The President of Directorate of Religious Affairs Ali Erbaş came to Dersim and opened new assimilation centers under the name of Fatma Youth Center, Hazrat Ali Youth Center, Ehlibeyt Quran Course, Hafız School."

"This approach against the Alevis has been going on for hundreds of years. From past to present, efforts to convert Alevi people to Sunni or, if not, to Shi'ite, have been continuing in various ways and methods."

"We reject this understanding that receives a salary from the taxes of the Alevis, ignores the Alevis, does not accept our Cemevi as a center of belief, and uses Islam for its political interests. Give up your useless efforts"

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(FD/TB)