Kurdish cities are literally encircled by special security zones in which entry is prohibited. Like Dersim, Şirnak and Hakkari, practically the entire area around the northern Kurdish city of Bitlis has also been declared a restricted area. According to the governor's declaration, the 308 areas should remain banned until at least 31 December 2022. The ban concerns the surroundings of the provincial capital Bitlis and the districts of Tatvan, Mutki and Hizan. Large-scale military operations are taking place.

The northern Kurdish population, who actually live mainly from agriculture, is robbed of their only source of income and livelihood due to the declaration of special security areas.