On 28 December 2011, Turkish fighter jets bombed a group of mostly under 18 border traders in the village of Roboski in the Uludere district of Şırnak. 34 people, including 19 minors, were killed in what has been known since as the Roboski massacre. Only four people survived the attack, all seriously injured. The young men between 13 and 38, whose families lived off the border trade, were returning from South Kurdistan when the bombing of Turkish fighter jets began at 9:37 pm. The bombing continued until 10:24 pm.

While the government officials and media organs tried to cover up the massacre with justifications such as ‘an operational accident’, none of those responsible has been held accountable. The current head of state, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who was prime minister at the time, promised to investigate the incident. However, it was Erdoğan himself who personally thanked the Chief of Staff for the bombing.

Families of Roboski, who commemorated their murdered relatives at the grave on the last day of the year, spoke to ANF.

Fatma Encü: 34 of our people were massacred 13 years ago and justice is yet to be served. I lost my husband, and all my children were left orphans. Neither an investigation was conducted, nor were the perpetrators put on trial. The state has not taken any steps to reveal the perpetrators of the massacre.

Ibrahim Encü: The soldiers knew very well that our people did border trade to make a living. They massacred our people in strikes by warplanes in the middle of the night. Our only demand is that the perpetrators of this massacre be revealed. We have been seeking justice for 13 years, but no justice has come to Roboski.

Miran Encü: Our children were blown to pieces by fighter jets in the middle of the night. All these years have passed, and they have not revealed those who slaughtered our children. There is nothing we can do. As families, all we want is justice. Our search for justice will continue, and we will expose those who murdered our children.

Abdurrahman Encü: 13 years have passed since the massacre. All we do is cry. They left us pain and tears. They did not bring those who murdered our children before us. We want justice but the state has failed to serve it. I leave the rest to God. Those who perpetrated this massacre must be held accountable. The promises made to us were not kept.