The Turkish military is enforcing a rule requiring the display of the Turkish flag at all outdoor weddings in Çukurca (Çelê) in Hakkari (Colemêrg). This mandate has been followed up with military raids and threats against those who resist.
A local resident, identified only as A., explained, “Weddings in Çelê can only be held in one public square, which is next to a military post. Soldiers have been forcing us to display the Turkish flag, and if we refuse, they raid our weddings, subjecting us to threats and violence.”
According to A., wedding organisers must sign a contract with the military before their event. “The contract includes conditions such as not removing the flag, not playing songs mentioning ‘freedom’ or ‘revolution’, and banning decorations in yellow, red or green [the colours of the Kurdish flag]. Non-compliance results in gendarmes and police disrupting the wedding,” she said.
The military’s imposition is part of a broader strategy to maintain control over the Kurdish population in the district, which has been heavily militarised. “There are 30,000 soldiers in Çelê, a town with only 10,000 residents. This overwhelming military presence leaves us with no choice,” stated A.
Locals have attempted to resist these measures in various ways. “Some have tried to obscure the flag with banners or advertisements, but any direct attempt to remove it has led to unrest and military crackdowns,” explained one young resident.
