Forests keep burning
Forests keep burning
Mortar shell and howitzer attacks of the Turkish army causing forest fires all over Kurdistan. Moreover, Turkish soldiers are deliberately setting fire on the forest by using helicopters.” said PKK sources.
HPG press liason also reported that: “For the purpose of destroying the nature of Kurdistan and preventing the rebels to hide Turkish army is deliberately setting fire on the forests in Kurdistan. While the officials are not taking any steps against these fires, the villagers who are trying to extinguish the fire through their own limited means are hindered by the soldiers.”
According to HPG two Turkish Sikorsky helicopters flying over Besta region in Sirnak close to the Iraqi border started a forest fire on Friday night at around 9:30 pm. It is also reported that due to shells and phosphor bombs fired from the helicopters Besta Xincê, Gire Givere ve Mevîþkê hills caught fire.
It is also reported that on 9 July following a clash between the rebels and the soldiers Turkish helicopters set fire on the forest in Ovacik district of Dersim province. Similarly the forest in Xapuþke region in Zagros Mountains has also been burnt by the Turkish soldiers.
According to the statistics gathered by ANF in 2009 approximately 20 forest fires took place following military operations. The figures for 2008 reach 40. Majority of the fires took place in Diyarbakýr, Hakkari, Þýrnak, Bitlis, Bingöl, Dersim, Elazýð, Siirt and Mardin provinces.
HPG press liason also reported that: “For the purpose of destroying the nature of Kurdistan and preventing the rebels to hide Turkish army is deliberately setting fire on the forests in Kurdistan. While the officials are not taking any steps against these fires, the villagers who are trying to extinguish the fire through their own limited means are hindered by the soldiers.”
According to HPG two Turkish Sikorsky helicopters flying over Besta region in Sirnak close to the Iraqi border started a forest fire on Friday night at around 9:30 pm. It is also reported that due to shells and phosphor bombs fired from the helicopters Besta Xincê, Gire Givere ve Mevîþkê hills caught fire.
It is also reported that on 9 July following a clash between the rebels and the soldiers Turkish helicopters set fire on the forest in Ovacik district of Dersim province. Similarly the forest in Xapuþke region in Zagros Mountains has also been burnt by the Turkish soldiers.
According to the statistics gathered by ANF in 2009 approximately 20 forest fires took place following military operations. The figures for 2008 reach 40. Majority of the fires took place in Diyarbakýr, Hakkari, Þýrnak, Bitlis, Bingöl, Dersim, Elazýð, Siirt and Mardin provinces.
