Turkish soldiers launched an operation on the rural areas of the Karaçavuş (Zankirek) village in Dersim’s Hozat district and set fire to the Kinzir forest.

Villagers are prevented by the soldiers from putting out the fire while reports say the fire could spread to the Karsel Plains and the Zankirek village.

30 areas in the Dersim city center and Ovacik, Pülümür, Hozat and Nazimiye districts had been declared “special security zones” by the Tunceli Governorate two days ago. The Kinzir Forest is among the ban areas.