HDP Batman MP Mehmet Ali Aslan joined an investigation commitee with the curfew in Şırnak lifted, and shared his observations with ANF.

Aslan said Turkey had 81 provinces, but with the latest situation in Şırnak that number should be corrected as 80 and continued: “If I didn’t know I was in Şırnak, I would assume I was in Aleppo or a city in the West Bank. These are the places that spring to mind immediately. There are no residential areas left in Şırnak. The media have become the mouthpiece for the government and they have not published one realistic news story about this. If a city was destroyed like this in another country, the media would broadcast that, but in Turkey, crippled by disinformation, they don’t. The media says the curfew has been lifted, but there are no streets left. I’ve been to Şırnak countless times, I can’t remember any of the places now. They even destroyed the historical heritage.”

Aslan said the history, culture and faiths were attacked in Şırnak and, pointing out that they were given a lot of trouble on the roads even though they are MPs. He added: “They wanted to search our vehicle. We were faced with an approach that took our IDs and did a check. They are employing a policy of cutting Şırnak off absolutely from the outside world and isolating the city.”

“50 THOUSAND PEOPLE HOMELESS”

Aslan emphasized that there is a disregard for Şırnak in the NGOs and aid organizations and continued:

“When it comes to Kurds, everybody acts deaf dumb and blind. And this gives us pain for humanity. Right now, there is no Şırnak left. 7 neighborhoods are completely torn to the ground. 50 thousand people are now homeless. Fundamental needs for these families need to be met urgently. They implemented the policy to depopulate Şırnak by shutting down aid and support charities. Several families have had to live together in the few houses that are left standing. Our people don’t want to give up on the land even though their homes are demolished. They are in solidarity among themselves.”

"HOUSES LEFT STANDING HAVE BEEN LOOTED"

HDP MP stated that the houses that are still standing have been looted, and continued: “The furniture was shot at, the appliances were stolen. The people we met there told us these personally, and we saw them with our own eyes as well. A total pillaging mindset, an absolute grabbing spoils from enemies, a mindset for robbery. 2 Şırnak MPs being arrested was meant to cripple the city. Then they lifted this curfew. They followed this policy just to keep the world from finding out about the destruction and pillaging. They can hide for a while, but an end to their sweet dreams will come.”

“THE GOVERNORATE WILL SELL THE HOUSES AGAIN”

Aslan pointed out that the Şırnak governorate’s claim that “2.044 buildings are torn down” doesn’t reflect the truth, and stated that posters for the “new luxurious Şırnak to be built” have been hanged around the city. Aslan said: “The people of Şırnak were content with the oldest homes. The people of Şırnak don’t prefer the fake palaces these people will build over the houses they built by working on them with their children and relatives for years. Nobody has made such a demand. These houses will be sold to the people, for money. They again approach the people with profit in mind. According to our observations, the demolished homes are much more than two thousand. The largest 7 neighborhoods have been torn down. 80% of the population lived in these neighborhoods.”

“VISIT ŞIRNAK”

HDP MP Mehmet Ali Aslan issued a call for solidarity with the people of Şırnak and called everybody to give moral and material support, and asked the NGOs to visit Şırnak and witness this destruction and looting.