The curfew in Hakkari’s Gever (Yüksekova) district that began on February 16 continues. HDP parliamentarian Abdullah Zeydan is currently in Gever and stated that bombs explode and state forces burn civilians’ houses despite the Turkish General Staff’s announcement that the operations were over.

'CITIZENS’ HOUSES ARE BURNT'

Zeydan said that they have requested access to neighborhoods where the clashes continue since February 16, but they could not even get out of their houses. Zeydan noted that Hakkari governor had argued that the curfew aimed to provide security for citizens, and asked why state forces were arbitrarily burning citizens’ houses if the governor was telling the truth. HDP MP stated that the people of Gever were forced to leave their homes and would like to return, and urged state officials to lift the curfew so that citizens can return and find some peace.

'77 BODIES WERE TAKEN TO ERZURUM FORENSIC MEDICINE INSTITUTION'

HDP parliamentarian Zeydan said that 77 bodies have been sent from Yüksekova Hospital to Erzurum Forensic Medicine Institution since February 16, and some of these bodies were of civilian people such as Yusuf Aşan who was killed by state forces in Orman Nieghborhood because he refused to abandon his house. Zeydan added that only 18 of the 77 bodies have been identified so far.

'CURFEW MUST BE LIFTED IMMEDIATELY'

Zeydan stated that the 3 HDP parliamentarians who are currently in Gever have been witnessing state forces’ disproportionate use of force and arbitrary burning and destruction of houses and workplaces. Zeydan recalled that state forces have been blasting the doors of houses that are not located in neighborhoods where clashes take place, and pillage citizens’ properties arbitrarily. Lastly, Zeydan emphasized that the curfew must be lifted immediately and added that they would soon share the footage of state forces’ savagery.