Two hundred and fifty residents of the villages of Günyazý (Qelaþkê) and Yiðitler (Nêrkule) began to leave their homes yesterday. They were fleeing from air raids carried out by the Turkish Military Forces (TSK). The raids have been continuing throughout the past three days.

According to one villager, Nedima Yaþar, who spoke to DIHA News Agency, the air raids caused forest fires and killed much of the people's livestock.

The local governor simply told the residents to "Empty the villages, go wherever you can go."

A committee formed by the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) persuaded some villagers not to leave their lands. However, according to the Committee's statement, the raids continued in the night and the residents were left with no choice but to leave their homes.