The AKP-MHP government had presented the Gabar oil exploration project as a major success when it was launched in 2021. However, instead of progress, the reality on the ground shows increasing environmental destruction with each passing day. The region is being blasted with dynamite, and dozens of trees are being cut down. Additionally, these areas are constantly declared as "special security zones," restricting civilian access. 

DEM Party Şirnex (Şırnak) MP Mehmet Zeki Irmez told ANF that 76,000 barrels of oil are being extracted daily in Gabar, yet this accounts for only about one to two percent of Turkey’s overall energy needs. Despite its relatively low contribution, the environmental destruction is immense. Irmez also highlighted that this devastation is not limited to oil exploration but extends to mining activities in the Cûdî region, which are further accelerating the ecological crisis.

The destruction of nature intensified during the AKP government

Irmez said that the destruction of nature in Kurdistan is rooted in colonial law and has been systematically implemented since the 1990s. He noted that this situation has reached a new phase under the AKP government, and added: "It is necessary to look at the background of this environmental destruction. In the 1990s, every government imposed a specific legal framework on Kurdistan, one that can only be described as colonial law. Back then, due to so-called security policies, thousands of villages were burned down. Alongside this, every summer, forests were deliberately and recklessly set on fire."

Irmez continued: "This situation took a new turn under the AKP government. Previously, forests were burned, and people were forcibly displaced from their villages, leaving these areas completely uninhabited. People were prevented from returning to their villages, gardens, and highlands, as these areas were declared ‘security zones’ by the military and sealed off. With no proper legal framework in place, these forests were plundered and burned at will."

Irmez underlined that "since 2018, with the AKP rule, heavy ecological destruction has been unfolding in Botan. Deforestation has spread to almost every region. While forested areas once covered 48% of Botan, this percentage has dropped to 35% as of 2018. This destruction is being carried out largely through the hands of village guards. The Regional Forestry Directorates have created their own regulations, and when we file complaints, they claim that reforestation efforts are underway. However, we see first-hand that this is entirely a security-related issue. Being on the ground, we witness how, in every area entered, all trees—regardless of age, fruit-bearing status, or species—are indiscriminately felled and plundered. Additionally, these lands have been transformed into sources of profit."

Cûdî Mountain also been devastated

Recalling that many trees have been cut down due to the thermal power plant in the region and that Cûdî Mountain has also been destroyed to extract coal for transport, Irmez said: “There are also lignite reserves in Şirnex. Due to this, heavy plundering, ecological and environmental destruction are taking place in and around Cûdî Mountain. This destruction is being carried out without adhering to any mining laws. On the Silopi side of Cûdî Mountain, in a place called Herbol and near the town of Görümlü, there is a thermal power plant. To supply coal to this plant, the mountain is being blasted with dynamite. The coal resources in the area are extracted and transported to the thermal power plant. If I am not mistaken, around four thousand tons of coal need to be delivered to the power plant daily. Of course, four thousand tons is not a small amount, and to meet this requirement, more mining pits are being opened all over the region. In the process, entire forested areas are being completely sliced, and the natural environment is being destroyed. Unfortunately, Cûdî Mountain has been completely plundered.”

Access to region banned to allow oil exploration companies to operate unlawfully

Irmez also pointed out that bans are imposed every 15 days to allow petroleum companies to conduct illegal exploration, emphasizing that such measures are not applied elsewhere. He stated: "Since 2021, petroleum companies have been conducting work in Gabar. We are not allowed to enter these areas. According to the Ministry’s reports, approximately 500 kilometers of roads have been constructed. Of course, in the process, all the surrounding forested areas are being cut down. Additionally, due to security-driven policies, village guards, seeking personal profit, are indiscriminately cutting down trees, regardless of whether they are young or old. Similarly, petroleum companies are blasting mountains with dynamite to clear paths for their work."

Irmez continued: "A drilling accident occurred at the site, resulting in the death of an engineer. I visited the area on that occasion and witnessed heavy destruction. The mountains and terrain surrounding the drilling rigs have been completely devastated, and entire forests have been cut down. Military outposts and checkpoints have been established everywhere. This situation can only be described as colonial law in action.

The AKP-MHP government and the state apparatus, particularly in Kurdistan, disregard all legal frameworks and subject the entire region to ecological destruction. Our people are forcibly displaced, turning these areas into uninhabitable zones.

Every 15 days, bans are imposed by the governor, declaring ‘special security zones,’ a practice that exists nowhere else but in Şirnex. These restrictions are designed to prevent people from accessing their gardens, villages, and grazing lands, ensuring that all unlawful activities continue unchecked. Oil exploration companies are given unrestricted control, allowing them to commit massacres and ecological destruction without any oversight."

Moreover, said the DEM Party MP, "military operations are frequently mentioned, and whenever such operations take place, this restrictive mentality persists under the pretext of security. It serves as a cover for the state to carry out its actions with complete impunity, enabling them to commit any reckless act they desire under the guise of security measures. They claim that 76,000 barrels of oil are being extracted daily. However, this amounts to only one or two percent of Turkey’s total consumption, which requires at least one million barrels per day. Despite this relatively small contribution, the level of destruction and devastation inflicted upon the region is staggering."

Public awareness must be raised to stop destruction

Irmez underlined the severity of the ecological devastation taking place in the region, and added: "There have been numerous committees visiting the region. There have been marches, as well as statements in response to this environmental destruction.  Many ecological organizations have tried to hold press conferences in situ and visit the affected areas, but they have faced numerous obstacles. Is this enough? Of course not. Everyone is disturbed by this, the people of Şirnex are disturbed by this. This destruction must come to an end immediately."

Imrez said that "the AKP-MHP government speaks of an oil reserve, but whether this reserve is large or small is irrelevant to us. What is happening here is destruction, it is a massacre. Human and wildlife habitats are being wiped out. Rivers and many water sources have completely dried up. The remaining water sources are now murky and undrinkable. To stop this, everyone in all walks of life must raise their voices. People need to participate in demonstrations and actions, and they must turn their attention toward Botan."

The MP ended his remarks by underlining that "another issue is that the state has deliberately seized the destroyed villages. Since land registry officials never documented these areas, and the land was left without official titles, the state took control of the villages and farmland. When citizens sought to reclaim their land titles, they were told it was ‘state property’ due to the lack of registration. In short, the government has granted itself absolute authority over these lands and is handing them over to corporations for exploitation."