The forest fires which started in Cifanê village in the Cudi Mountain district of Şırnak (Şirnex), have continued for days. Exasperated residents from the village, having contacted the authorities to find out what was being done to stop them, received this response: “Don’t keep us busy”.

In the Cudi, Gabar and Besta regions in the central district of Şırnak, there have been several forest fires this year after ‘military operations’. Hundreds of trees and extensive wildlife habitats have been destroyed.

In addition to this, hundreds of trees in the Cudi Mountain area have been cut down by guards in recent months. The wood obtained from the ongoing tree-felling is being openly traded in surrounding cities.

Kudret Kazan, a resident of Cifanê village, said: “As we unsuccessfully tried to halt the spread of the fire, we called the police station, fire station and municipality, asking them for urgent assistance and action. However, they all said ‘don’t keep us busy’ and hung up their phones on us”.

Kazan said that there seems to be a desire from the authorities to leave the region “out of breath”. He added: “Cudi has been burning for about three months. Who hears Cudi’s scream? Your silence causes the destruction of nature”.

Turkish state carries out systematic eco-destruction in Kurdistan