JINHA

COLEMERG - Yüksekova children couldn't recognize their destroyed homes and streets when they returned to the town after 24-curfew was lifted in the day. "Children don't deserve wars; they should leave a peaceful world to us. We want to see our streets as before." said children.

After martial law lasted 79 days in Hakkari's Yüksekova (Gever) district, 24-hour curfew was partly lifted in the town. People have begun to return to their homes; however, they cannot recognize their homes, streets and neighborhoods due to destruction. Yüksekova children, who have begun to rebuild their lives again like their parents, said that they don't lose their hope and belief even if the streets, where they rode bikes and played games for years, have been demolished.

'I couldn't recognize the streets'

10-year-old Murat Yiğit had to migrate to Hakkari with his family following the curfew had begun to be imposed in Yüksekova. He returned to the town with his family after the 24-hour curfew was partly lifted. Murat said, "I had to go to Hakkari due to the war. I miss my street where I played games. We had to go to Hakkari but I missed the streets, home where I was born in and my friends.I felt so bad when I saw our demolished home. The streets where I played games with my friends weren't there anymore, I couldn't even recognize the streets.

"We want peace; they should leave us a peacefull world. Children don't deserve wars. We want to see our streets as before."

12-year-old Birhat is another Yüksekova child. He had had to migrate to Van with his family when curfew had begun to be imposed in Yüksekova. He stated that he couldn't find his home and friends when he returned to Yükseova. "We don't want war. We want to play in the streets freely." said Birhat.

(ekip/dc/dk/gd)