JINHA

MÊRDÎN – The Turkish state has declared a curfew in the largely Kurdish town of Nusaybin as soldiers blockade the road to a nearby graveyard where civilians have held an anti-war vigil.

As of 5 a.m. today, the governor of the province of Mardin, Turkey has declared a curfew in four neighborhoods of the town of Nusaybin. The neighborhoods are located along the road to nearby Mt. Bagok. Soldiers have also blockaded a road leading to a guerrilla cemetery on the slopes of Mt. Bagok.

Since August 17, locals and activists have been holding a vigil at a cemetery for guerrillas near Marînê. By holding the “human shield” vigil, the group hoped to prevent clashes between soldiers and guerrillas in the area through their presence as civilians. Yesterday, a group from the towns of Derik and Mazıdağı had headed to the area to take over the vigil from a group of civilians from Nusaybin.

Soldiers have completely shut down entry and exit to Marînê.

(gc/cm)