JINHA

AMED - Civilians have headed to the Şenyayla area to stop clashes as antiwar "human shield" actions spread in Northern Kurdistan (Turkey).

In Diyarbakır province, the government has declared 20 areas prohibited military zone. One of these is the Şenyayla rural area near the town of Kulp. The people of Kulp have headed to the area in protest that their lands have become a military zone. The residents have declared their intention to remain in the area as "human shields" to stop clashes. The protestors are flying a white flag.

Fatih Taş, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) co-chair for the region, is among the demonstrators. Fatih said that the Turkish state's attacks in the region recall the worst years of war twenty years ago.

"These 'special security zones' are devastating the environment. Besides this, this means the end of pastoralism, the only income source for people in the region. And serious problems emerge from the burning of our pastures and forests," said Fatih. Forest fires started by munitions have burned large areas of Diyarbakır province.

(şa/fk/cm)