Turkish authorities have officially declared a number of districts and specified areas within the Kurdish-majority provinces of Bitlis (Bedlîs) and Şırnak (Şırnex) in the country’s southeast as “temporary special security zones”.
The intensive security measures in these zones are expected to remain in effect until 30 July, after which they will be lifted.
According to the statement issued by the Bitlis Governorate, military operations are expected to be conducted in the Hizan (Xîzan) district following these implementations. The decision to implement special measures in specific areas was made to protect the “safety and security of civilians in possible operations targeting the activities of terrorist organisation members,” according to the statement.
The Governorate of Şırnak also announced that entry for citizens has been prohibited for the same reasons in numerous areas near the borders of six districts, including Cizîr (Cizre), Silopiya (Silopi) and the Şırnak provincial centre.
