Demolition efforts started after Çatak District Governor and Acting Mayor Hacı Asım Akgül demanded the removal of the Körüklü Valley Bridge, which stood at an important passage point and allowed the residents to cross over to the city center and other districts.

The bridge was built by DBP’s Van Metropolitan Municipality for the residents to cross over easily on their way to the highlandsand considerably improved transportation for the villagers. It was 13 km from the district center, and stood in the region where aerial activity has been at its peak recently.

Trustee Akgül issued a statement on the matter and said the bridge was making it easier for the PKK and so they decided to demolish it.