Locals relieved after operations end in Cizre
Residents of the district of Cizre in the southeastern province of Şırnak are relieved that security forces have concluded their anti-PKK operations successfully after nearly two months of clashes.
While clashes with terrorists turned much of the local infrastructure into unrecognizable ruins in Cizre, the PKK took a severe hit during the 59 days of military operations, forcing them to flee, torching several buildings previously used as makeshift headquarters.
As security forces continue search and recovery operations, life is returning to normal in the district, where people can now move freely and go to shopping centers and bakeries, which are now open at specified times. Locals have voiced their relief in learning of the end of the operations and believe that they will see better days in the future, but demand help from the officials in the process.
Mosques and schools were also targets that the terrorists harmed, causing severe damage with fires. Security forces discovered that terrorists planted improvised explosive devices in Quran's in mosques, which they also used as accommodation, bringing portative cookers, beds and blankets.
As for schools, four became dysfunctional after the clashes, including dozens heavily damaged and some used as bases. Ahmet El Cezire Primary School and Atatürk Anadolu High School were targeted dozens of times with rockets since the beginning of the operations.
Health workers were also targeted by terrorists during clashes. Speaking at a regional assessment meeting in the southeastern province of Gaziantep on Thursday, Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu said that at least five health personnel were killed during clashes between security forces and the PKK in southeastern provinces and over 30 ambulances were damaged. He also said that several heath personnel have been affected by the conflict.
Meanwhile, a soldier who was injured in a PKK attack in late January has died in hospital, according to a statement issued by the General Staff on Friday.
The Army said the soldier had been receiving treatment at the GATA military hospital in Ankara.
It also said it had full control of Cizre, having killed 16 PKK terrorists on Thursday, adding that the security forces had recovered the bodies of 24 militants from eight buildings.
In the military operation, 619 terrorists were "neutralized," the army said.
Efkan Ala said the curfew on the town would remain in place as police and troops searched for booby traps.
While clashes with terrorists turned much of the local infrastructure into unrecognizable ruins in Cizre, the PKK took a severe hit during the 59 days of military operations, forcing them to flee, torching several buildings previously used as makeshift headquarters.
As security forces continue search and recovery operations, life is returning to normal in the district, where people can now move freely and go to shopping centers and bakeries, which are now open at specified times. Locals have voiced their relief in learning of the end of the operations and believe that they will see better days in the future, but demand help from the officials in the process.
Mosques and schools were also targets that the terrorists harmed, causing severe damage with fires. Security forces discovered that terrorists planted improvised explosive devices in Quran's in mosques, which they also used as accommodation, bringing portative cookers, beds and blankets.
As for schools, four became dysfunctional after the clashes, including dozens heavily damaged and some used as bases. Ahmet El Cezire Primary School and Atatürk Anadolu High School were targeted dozens of times with rockets since the beginning of the operations.
Health workers were also targeted by terrorists during clashes. Speaking at a regional assessment meeting in the southeastern province of Gaziantep on Thursday, Health Minister Mehmet Müezzinoğlu said that at least five health personnel were killed during clashes between security forces and the PKK in southeastern provinces and over 30 ambulances were damaged. He also said that several heath personnel have been affected by the conflict.
Meanwhile, a soldier who was injured in a PKK attack in late January has died in hospital, according to a statement issued by the General Staff on Friday.
The Army said the soldier had been receiving treatment at the GATA military hospital in Ankara.
It also said it had full control of Cizre, having killed 16 PKK terrorists on Thursday, adding that the security forces had recovered the bodies of 24 militants from eight buildings.
In the military operation, 619 terrorists were "neutralized," the army said.
Efkan Ala said the curfew on the town would remain in place as police and troops searched for booby traps.
Last Update: February 12, 2016 22:04