Cizre operation (2015)

Siege of Cizre (September 2015)
Part of PKK rebellion (2015–present) and 2015-16 Şırnak clashes
(Turkey–PKK conflict)
DateSeptember 4–11, 2015
LocationCizre, Şırnak Province, Turkey
Result continued standoff until December 2015–February 2016 Cizre curfew
Belligerents

 Turkey

 YDG-H
Casualties and losses
25 police officers injured (Turkish claim)[1] 40 killed (Turkish claim)[1]
160 civilians killed (Allegedly)[2]

During the Kurdish-Turkish conflict (2015-present), in September Turkish security forces launched an operation in Cizre.[3] The Turkish security forces sealed off the city and placed a curfew for eight days, from September 4–11. The town had limited access to water and food and many of the injured were prohibited to receive professional medical treatment. The Council of Europe raised concerns about "disproportionate use of force by security forces against civilians."[4] The mayor of Cizre was forcefully removed from her post under charges of inciting hatred and supporting terrorism.[5]

On September 10, Sezgin Tanrıkulu, deputy chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP), criticized the siege of Cizre and demanded an end to the week-long curfew.[6] Amnesty International expressed concern at disproportionate measures taken by Turkish authorities such as "indefinite, round-the-clock curfew", "blocking all access to the city", "cutting electricity, water and communications to the entire population of Cizre".[7] On September 12, Nils Muižnieks, human rights commissioner for the Council of Europe, expressed concern over claims of “disproportionate use of force” against civilians in Cizre and called on Turkey to allow access to independent observers.[8]

On September 11, Turkey announced that it would lift the curfew temporarily,[9] however the open-ended curfew was reimposed two days later.[10]

According to a report by the Turkish Medical Association, the security forces severely restricted medical staff in their work and armoured vehicles with snipers were parked on the hospital grounds and occupied the emergency rooms.[11]

The clashes resulted in a continued standoff between Turkish security forces and YDG-H and were followed by the December 2015–February 2016 Cizre curfew.

Casualties

According to the Turkish regional governor, forty PKK members were killed in Cizre operation during an eight days curfew.[1] He added that seventeen suspected militants had been detained in operations during the curfew, 25 police officers were injured in security operations and seven guarded police vehicles were damaged as militants carried out attacks with 21 rockets, 19 hand grenades, and two road-side bombings.[1]

International media reported as many as 12-20 civilians were reported killed.[12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "40 PKK militants killed in Cizre during eight-day curfew: Governor - LOCAL".
  2. ↑ "Inside Cizre: Where Turkish forces stand accused of Kurdish killings". BBC. 22 May 2016.
  3. ↑ "Turkey lifts week-long curfew on Kurdish city of Cizre". BBC News.
  4. ↑ "Turkey 'must ensure access' to besieged Cizre, says Council of Europe". BBC. 11 September 2015.
  5. ↑ "Interior Ministry removes Cizre mayor from post". Today's Zaman. 11 September 2015.
  6. ↑ "CHP urges lifting curfew in Cizre, demands government explanation". Hurriyet Daily News. 10 September 2015.
  7. ↑ "Turkey: Authorities must allow residents of Cizre access to basic needs during prolonged curfew". Amnesty International. 11 September 2015.
  8. ↑ "EU human rights body urges Turkey to allow access to Cizre". The Guardian. 12 September 2015.
  9. ↑ "Turkey to lift curfew on mainly Kurdish town". Associated Press. 11 September 2015.
  10. ↑ "Turkey imposes new curfew in battered Cizre". AFP. 13 September 2015.
  11. ↑ "Turkey: Hospitals are being converted into war zones". IPPNW. 13 September 2015.
  12. ↑ "Turkey Kurds: Many dead in Cizre violence as MPs' march blocked". BBC. 10 September 2015.
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