Families from North Kurdistan who had to migrate to cities in the ‘90s because of the village evacuation policies of the Turkish state had settled in one-room houses and huts they built in Sur. They built a new life for themselves, albeit a poor one, under the protection of the narrow streets and the ancient city walls. But the state forces destroyed this district with the poorest of the population with their attacks and caused another calamity for the people.

Primary research and TMMOB Chamber of City Planners’ old satellite photos show that 1312 buildings have been destroyed in the area. The height of the destroyed buildings are: 245 1-story, 943 2-story, 69 3-story, 15 4-story, 30 5-story and 10 6-story buildings. The demolished area is 11.6 hectares, and includes 56 registered civilian architectural samples and 68 environmentally significant buildings. The total number of demolished structures is over 3000. As demolitions to build giant outposts continues, 976 more buildings are announced for demolition - 17 of these are registered and 42 are traditional structures.

THE PEOPLE WANT TO RETURN BUT THE STATE PREVENTS THEM

23.000 people out of the 50.000 in Sur had to move to Bağlar and other districts. Research shows that 52% of the people displaced by war have their residence completely or partially demolished, and 20% don’t even have information on the situation yet. 30% of the people lost their jobs after the displacement.64.8% want to return, 30% has already returned. 94.5% are against the expropriation, but the AKP government disregarded the people and “expropriated” an area of 6.300 parcels, they now continue demolition at full speed. The Amed Bar Association’s appeal to overturn the urgent expropriation decree was refused by the Council of State 6th Chamber.

ECONOMY ALMOST OVER IN SUR

There is social and economic destruction as well as cultural in Sur. During the ban, Sur suffered some 600 million liras of financial losses. Hundreds of shops were closed due to the curfews, clashes and the ensuing siege and many businesses have gone under. When the economic crisis due to the escalating war was added to the mix, the economy is now almost over in Sur.

SYRIANS WHO RECEIVE CITIZENSHIP ARE SETTLED IN SUR

As the demolitions continue at full speed, the state is settling Syrian refugees in Sur in the place of the people who had to migrate because of the war. There are preparations for the Syrians settled in Alipaşa, Melikahmet, İskenderpaşa, Süleyman Nazif, Ziya Gökalp, Lalebey, Abdal Dede, Cami Kebir and Cami Nebi neighborhoods to vote in the April 16 referendum. The people of Sur are protesting the presence of many many Syrians in the lists sent to the neighborhoods and say that this was the plan all along.