Thousands of trees have been cut down in recent months in Şırnak’s Besta area.

In Bişiyê Reş, Gêloşî and Milê Sinê areas between the Balveren town in the centre and Şenoba town in the Uludere district, state forces continue to cut down trees for “security reasons”. Village guards are used to cut down the trees in areas close to military bases in particular, and the trees are gathered in a spot close to the Besta Commando Battalion Command.

Walnut, pistachio, apple, pear, plum and terebinth trees have been cut down and carried to the outpost with tractors. Trees on lands that belong to citizens in neighbouring villages are being cut down and the trees are taken away as wood for fuel by the village guards after a while.

The trees are reportedly also used as firewood in the military bases in the vicinity.