After the clashes in Kurdistan, the ‘guard watch crisis’ between the military and village guards worsens. 18 village guards resigned in the Çaldıran district of Van, and more resignations are expected to follow.
After the recent increase in clashes, the state tries to implement new methods regarding village guards. Military units have been forcing village guards to keep watch at critical locations, and more recently join operation at the forefront.
PROPAGANDA WITH CINEVISION
A meeting was held with the village guards and Turkish military officers in Çaldıran two days ago, and images of village raids supposedly carried out by the PKK were shown to the village guards.
COVERT THREAT
After the cinevision showing, soldiers made speeches and emphasized that village guards should take a more active role in the new process. Turkish military units underlined that village guards are more needed in especially the rural areas, and covertly threatened the guards when they said that it was a crime to not fulfill the duties that are assigned to them.
VILLAGE GUARDS ACCUSED AS ‘UNGRATEFUL’
Arguments broke out during the meeting when the village guards opposed to the new decisions, and some soldiers accused the guards as ungrateful and said that the state has been protecting them and giving them trillions over the years.
RESIGNATIONS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE
Many military checkpoints have been assigned to village guards in Van, particularly those that are located in critical places. Some village guards objected to these placements and resigned, and more resignations are expected to follow.
‘WE ARE BEING SENT TO DEATH!’
Village guards spoke on the issue and said that they were being sent to death on purpose. The guards noted that their main duty has been to protect their villages, and emphasized that the army's main goal was to make Kurdish people kill one another.
