Oil exploration activities have been conducted by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and the Turkish Petroleum International Company (TPIC) in the districts of Hani (Hezro), Silvan (Farqîn), Lice (Licê), and Kulp (Pasur) in Diyarbakır (Amed) for the past five years.

In October of last year, the company began operations in the region by cutting down trees in forested areas to open roads for drilling in Lice and Kulp. This time, the company targeted the villagers’ pasturelands.

At the container site set up at the entrance of Lice, work teams depart daily for areas where access roads have been opened. Last week, they conducted drilling operations in a pasture area in the village of Yukarı Calili (Bilyasa Jor), connected to the village of Hendek in Lice.

Drilling wells have been opened in dozens of different spots, from flatlands to the foothills of the mountains. When villagers protested, the team reportedly responded by saying: "If you try to stop the work, the soldiers will intervene. Go file a lawsuit if you want."

Four districts devastated by oil exploration

In a statement released on 26 April 2024, by the Diyarbakır Bar Association and various civil society organizations, it was revealed that more than 200 oil exploration and extraction operations have been conducted in Diyarbakır over the past five years.

The statement noted that these exploration sites were established on agricultural lands, pastures, and forest areas, resulting in the loss of 35,000 hectares of farmland.

As part of the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources’ 'Çıralı 2B Project', seismic surveys will be carried out in many areas, and new oil drilling sites will be opened.

In addition to oil, mineral exploration continues in these districts. Drilling operations will begin based on previously collected samples.

The company, which has already cut down thousands of trees to open roads, has now begun targeting pasturelands in the hamlet of Yukarı Calili in Lice. Ahmet Fidan, one of the villagers opposing the drilling, emphasized that this was the only area where they could graze their animals. He warned that such operations would destroy all means of sustaining life in the village. He also noted that the drilling site is extremely close to the village.

Drilling wells opened in pastureland

Ahmet Fidan recalled that they were awakened by the sound of machinery a few days ago and said: "When I went outside, I saw that drilling machines had arrived along the foothills of the mountain. They had already opened underground wells as deep as one and a half meters."

Fidan said he called the village head to understand what was happening and was told that oil exploration was underway. However, when he visited the site, the teams told him they were searching for both oil and minerals.

He explained: "When I spoke with the teams, they said, ‘The military is with us. You cannot intervene. If you have objections, hire a lawyer and file a lawsuit.’ These lands are our livelihood, our living space. How can they drill in our pastures without even consulting the villagers?"

Our means of livelihood are under threat

Ahmet Fidan stated that numerous drilling wells have been opened, from the flatlands to the mountain peaks, and that the areas around the wells have been sealed with concrete. He said: "They tied ropes and dropped stones into the wells. This is the only pastureland available for our animals. If this area is destroyed, both our livelihood and living space will be lost. If it is fenced off with barbed wire, we will no longer be able to raise animals and will be forced to leave the region."

We will take legal action

Ahmet Fidan emphasized that the destruction of nature in the region has intensified with recent oil and mineral exploration. He concluded: "We do not want to be forced to leave our village. We were born here, and we want to live here. No matter what happens, we will stay. That is why we have initiated legal proceedings. These lands are being handed over to capital and corporations. We do not want anyone coming here to destroy this place. It has already been plundered enough. It is time to say stop."