JINHA

AMED – The sound of explosions is echoing across as the city of Diyarbakır as Turkish state forces’ attacks on the district of Sur continue to intensify.

For 48 days, Turkish state forces have maintained a blockade on the Sur district of the city of Diyarbakır. Attacks on the district began last night and intensified early this morning.

Smoke is rising above the district, as the sounds of violent explosions and heavy gunfire echo across the city. Helicopters are currently circling above Sur.

One of the shells fired on the Savaş neighborhood struck the minaret of the Hajji Hamit Mosque, known by locals as the “White Minaret.” The shell knocked over the historic minaret. Historic churches in the same neighborhood are also reported to have been devastated in the attacks.

According to reports, bulldozers have been brought in to demolish homes and trucks from the state’s hydraulic works department have been brought in to carry away debris.

(tt-mm/gc/cm)