Special war policy in Hakkari: prostitution, drugs and gangs

Hakkari (Colemêrg), located in the Bakur (north), Başûr (south) and Rojhilatê (east) triangle of Kurdistan, has become the target of the Turkish state's special policy. As part of the special war policy implemented by the Turkish state, prostitution, drug trafficking and consumption, as well as mafia and gangs have increased. Murder, torture and abuse have become everyday practice. The people of the city are the target of armored vehicles and police bullets.

Hümeyra Armut, co-chair of the DEM party for the province of Kolemêrg, told ANF about the special war policy implemented by the state: “Special war policy was massively implemented in several provinces, especially after 2015, including Hakkari and Şırnak. In fact, special attention was paid to these two cities. While the state even prevents birds from flying here, drugs can be brought into the city and sold without any problems. Likewise, prostitution is practiced unhindered. Most of these things are actually carried out by state officials. We have also seen drugs being found in police vehicles. There are many examples of this kind.”

“Accusation and filing policy”

Hümeyra Armut pointed out that the state has been pursuing a policy of intimidation and subjugation towards the people of Colemêrg since 2015, adding: “What happened in Hakkari after March 31, [2024] The local elections should be examined in detail. This was a period when the special war policy was at its peak. The state focused on targeting this area. Hakkari is a city with a dense young population. The state wants to push the youth into a narrow area. Theft, prostitution and drugs are tried to be normalized here. These are not coincidences; they are part of a systematic assimilation process. The festivals and concerts that are held also go in this direction. Recently, a sergeant major harassed a 17-year-old girl at a festival in Çukurca. Such incidents are deliberate actions aimed at corrupting society through youth and women. In addition, usury is widespread in the city and we believe that this situation is created by the system.”

“The aim is to turn the city into a military zone”

Emphasizing that the number of suicides among women and young people in Colemêrg has increased in recent years, Armut said, “Young people are forced to migrate to the metropolises because they cannot find housing here and are desperate. In this way, the state tries to alienate and separate young people from their country. They are drawn into drugs. The aim is to destroy the city, to leave it nothing, to empty it and turn it into a military area. Çukurca has now become a military area and security forces can be seen everywhere. In Hakkari, a special war policy is being implemented and a climate of fear is being created. Young people who want to exercise their right to protest are being attacked with bullets. Young people who make Kurdish music and dance the Kurdish Halay are being arrested. Local artists who sing Kurdish songs are being arrested for their songs.”

“Kurdish language and culture are denied”

Armut said: “The basis of the special war policy is the denial of the Kurds, the denial of the Kurdish language, art and culture. The aim is to create chaos. The AKP government is trying to legitimize itself by making politics about the Kurds in order to maintain its own power. As a result, an understanding is emerging that does not accept the Kurds and their language. The policy pursued by the AKP is a policy of total hostility. We are working hard to prevent this and we must form a common battle line against the special war policy.”

Special war policy in Hakkari: prostitution, drugs and gangs

You may also like...

Recent Posts

Special war policy in Hakkari: prostitution, drugs and gangs

You may also like...

Woman and 2 children electrocuted in Rajasthan

Rep. Moore, choose the right approach to drug pricing

Shooting in Thurmont road rage incident leads to charges against Adams County man

Recent Posts