‘Temporary private security zones’ enforced in Kurdish-majority cities

Due to military operations by the Turkish army, 15 districts in Şırnak, 58 districts in Batman, and eight districts in Siirt (Sêrt) have been declared “temporary private security zones” by the Turkish government.

Previously, some areas in Bitlis and its surrounding districts were also declared “temporary private security zones”.

The governorships of the affected provinces announced the bans, saying “It is based on the President’s Decree No. 3399”.

The bans will be applied until the end of 2021.

All of the newly declared private security zones are populated mostly by Kurds. Citizens are not allowed to enter these zones for the rest of the year, which will seriously affect their lives.

According to the announcements, the “temporary private security zones” include the Silopi, Cizre, Güçlükonak, Beytüşşebap, and Uludere districts in Şırnak, the Pervari, Eruh, and Baykan districts in Siirt, and the Sason, Hasankeyf, and Kozluk districts in Batman.