Medya News
Subscribe
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
Medya News

Journalist Meltem Oktay remembers Nusaybin, on the fifth anniversary of the curfews

10:52 am 15/03/2021
A A
Journalist Meltem Oktay remembers Nusaybin, on the fifth anniversary of the curfews
Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp

Journalist Meltem Oktay witnessed severe clashes during the 2016-2018 curfews declared in the Nusaybin (Nisebin) district of Turkey’s southeastern province of Mardin (Mêrdin). In an interview with Mesopotamia Agency, marking the fifth anniversary since the curfews were declared in Nusaybin, she described her experiences.

Eight consecutive curfews were declared in Nusaybin between 14 March 2016 and 21 April 2018 that irreversibly damaged the district and greatly impacted upon the lives of the Kurdish residents. Traces of the demolitions that took place during that period can still be seen everywhere.

More than a hundred people lost their lives and the city was essentially destroyed in the process. The destruction and the trauma the curfews and related ‘clashes’ caused has led to a new psychological concept and term being used in Turkey, called the ‘Nusaybin Syndrome’.

Journalist Meltem Oktay, who reported from Nusaybin during the curfews, was arrested on 12 April and has spent approximately three years in jail. Stating that she was not allowed to enter the city when she first went to Nusaybin, she stated: “It was a process where thousands of people lived around armoured vehicles and tanks, being scanned day and night. I witnessed cruelty and brutality, but I also witnessed a great resistance of the people of Nusaybin”.

‘Self-governance’ was the only demand of the people

After the first curfew/ban was lifted, Oktay said: “It was a process that showed the people really owned this process. ‘Self-governance’ was the demand of the people. This was the only demand of the people actually. The people of Nusaybin did not want to be subjected to the pressures of the state forces anymore. The people engaged in resistance against these attacks, especially the youth. Neighbourhoods were surrounded by barricades. Everyone engaged in the process with great solidarity and a sense of sharing”.

Power plants and water tanks, which provided the basic services meeting the needs of the people, were “deliberately destroyed by the state security forces”, Oktay noted.

“People did not have electricity, water. Sometimes, they did not have supplies in a critical manner, but despite this, there was serious solidarity expressed by the people. By not allowing ambulances to enter the neighbourhoods, many people were also deliberately left to die [by the authorities]. Civilians were described as ‘terrorists’ in the governor’s statements. But these people were like 55-year-old Ahmet Sönmez, and a mother looking after five children, Selamet Yeşilmen,” Oktay added.

‘We cannot continue life normally. Now, they call this the Nusaybin Syndrome’

Oktay noted that Nusaybin was surrounded by all kinds of technical and military forces before the curfew was announced on 14 March 2016. The resistance of the people continued for months. “The attacks continued for days, but the youth in the neighbourhoods were also engaged in resistance against these attacks”, she said.

She witnessed the deaths and injuries of many people dueing this curfew ‘process’. She was greatly affected by the murder of Medeni Orak and Rohat Karakoç in the middle of a street, as a result of gunfire directed from the armoured vehicles of the state.

“Here, resistance was carried out by will power. I had touched many people’s lives and listened to their stories. After all that we have seen, we cannot continue life normally. Now, they call this the ‘Nusaybin Syndrome’. I carry those memories with me. Considering that that the experiences of that period should be written and documented, I began working on a book. Hopefully, I will be able to finish and publish it”, she said.

Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp
Tags: Manset2

Related Posts

German Foreign Ministry summons Turkish embassy over hate speech

German Foreign Ministry summons Turkish embassy over hate speech

January 18, 2023
Swedish prosecution refuses to take action against Kurds for effigy of Turkish President Erdoğan

Swedish prosecution refuses to take action against Kurds for effigy of Turkish President Erdoğan

January 18, 2023
Le Monde covers Kurdish victims of Paris attack

Le Monde covers Kurdish victims of Paris attack

December 29, 2022
Danielle Mitterrand Foundation gives 2022 award to Rojava

Danielle Mitterrand Foundation gives 2022 award to Rojava

December 15, 2022
MEPs: Turkey has violated international law

European Parliament discusses no-fly zone in North and East Syria

December 16, 2022
Will 2021 be the year of ISIS?

ISIS likely to re-emerge in Syria, says terror expert

November 29, 2022

Videos

Medya News Daily Review: 26 January 2023
DAILYSHOW

Medya News Daily Review: 26 January 2023

January 26, 2023

All News

Turkey’s HDP fights back against Treasury block with donation campaign

International community ‘can push back, Taliban will listen’: Afghan journalist Ayesha Tanzeem

Medya News Daily Review: 26 January 2023

SDF conducts joint operation against ISIS

Syrian gov’t must lift blockage in Aleppo to end supply shortage: Amnesty International

Ruling AKP pushes forward with headscarf amendment to Turkish constitution

Medya News

Impressum

About us

Privacy Policy

Subscribe
Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • World
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • Ecology
  • Economy
  • Culture & Art
  • Daily Show
  • Newsletter
  • Authors
  • Podcast

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist

Loading
Contact