ŞIRNEX – A citizen who attempted to film on-going deforestation in the Gabar region was reportedly threatened by soldiers, who later confiscated the person’s phone and deleted the footage.
Environmental destruction in Şirnex’s (Şırnak) city centre and surrounding districts has been intensifying in recent years. For the past five years, large-scale tree cutting has continued in the Cudi and Gabar mountains as well as in the Besta region. The operations, carried out under military supervision and by local village guards, are officially justified on “security” grounds.
Speaking at an event marking Mukhtars’ Day on October 19, Şırnak Governor Birol Ekici stated that “no more trees will be cut down in Şırnak” and pledged that the authorities “will not turn a blind eye to illegal logging.”
DEFORESTATION CONTINUES ON THE SIIRT SIDE OF GABAR
Despite the governor’s remarks, reports indicate that tree cutting continues in parts of Gabar. A resident, who requested anonymity citing security concerns, said that logging operations are ongoing between Avîl village in Siirt’s Eruh district and Nihik village, near central Şırnak.
The resident said they had filmed the logging activity but were confronted by soldiers who confiscated their phone and deleted the recordings. Soldiers reportedly warned all passing drivers not to take photos or videos, and monitored vehicles with binoculars at nearby checkpoints.
According to local sources, in response to growing public criticism in Şırnak, deforestation activities have been shifted to the Siirt side of Gabar Mountain, where they reportedly continue under military oversight and with the involvement of village guards.
MA / Emrullah Acar