JINHA

ŞIRNEX – For 37 days, Turkish state forces devastated the town of Silopi in a violent reaction to popular calls for self-government. Citizens returning to their homes report that their posessions have been systematically stolen and warehoused by state forces.

After residents of the town of Silopi declared local self-government, Turkish state forces instituted total martial law. For 37 days, state forces launched an assault on the town under the name of 24-hour “curfews.” Locals report that state forces have demolished, occupied and looted their homes. As citizens forcibly displaced by the attacks returned to Silopi, they found their appliances and other possessions missing.

Medine Nas was forced from her home in the Başak neighborhood at gunpoint. She said that state forces then turned her house into a military operations center for a time, using it as they pleased. When they left, according to Medine, they took the computer, television and appliances with them.

“They robbed the house and didn’t leave a thing behind,” said Medine. “They had forced us out of the house with guns and when we returned, we saw this immense looting. Where is it in Islam that you can seize the people’s possessions and goods in their homes?”

State forces also occupied and looted the home of Silopi resident B.R., who did not wish to provide a name. B.R. claimed that state forces have transported seized home goods to two warehouses in the Silopi district. The warehouses allegedly contain home goods ranging from blankets to appliances, which state forces take as they please.

(ekip/fk/cm)