The Governor of Batman has announced that the ancient city of Hasankeyf, which is soon to be engulfed by Ilısu Dam, will be cordoned off and closed to traffic as of October 8. 

The Hasankeyf Coordination immediately responded to the announcement: "This means destruction".

The gates of Ilısu Dam were closed by the General Directorate for State Hydraulic Works (DSİ) authorities on 18 July and the dam reservoir has been since been filled with water.

The Hasankeyf Coordination has said in a statement: "The Governor of Batman has stated that Hasankeyf will be closed to traffic as of October 8. Exit and entry will not be allowed and Hasankeyf will be completely surrounded by a security cordon."

The Coordination was responding to reports of a meeting at which indeed the Governor of Batman set a date for the cordoning off of the ancient city.

"To cordon off Hasankeyf - said the Coordination - means the destruction of the 12,000-year history and Tigris Valley."