JINHA

MÊRDÎN – The town of Nusaybin continues a months-long resistance against attacks by Turkish state forces. Colorful blankets to protect from attacks have now been hung up over the barricades, lending color to the neighborhood of simple cinderblock structures.

In the Nusaybin district of Mardin province, Turkish state forces have been imposing martial law for months. The people of the town have not given up the resistance, and continue to put up barricades around their neighborhoods. Now, the harlequin pattern of protective awnings lends color to the streets.

The latest model of barricade has just arrived, a design that allows residents to pass through. Children lead the barricade construction from morning until late at night. Meanwhile, women have sewn together their blankets into a polychromatic awning. The awnings, hung just above the barricades, make the neighborhood safer by protecting residents from shooters.

Residents have scrawled slogans on the walls of their houses:

“We love life enough to die for it.” “Palace jesters not allowed!” “Minefield—caution—no police.” “Youth isn’t in an armored vehicle, it’s in your heart.”

(mc-zd/gc/cm)