The vigil against the Geothermal Energy Power Plant (GPP) project planned by the US-based IGNIS H2 Energy Production Inc. in Xwarik village of Gimgim (Varto) district, Mûş (Muş), entered its 51st day.

 

At the vigil site, initiated by the Youth Assembly of the Gimgim Ecology Platform, a banner was displayed in the Kurmancî and Kirmanckî dialects of Kurdish as well as Turkish, reading: “These lands are our inheritance and a trust for future generations. We do not want JES.”

 

Residents of the villages of Dirba, Yekmal and Kevirhingîv took over the vigil. Among those paying solidarity visits were Yafes Dinar, Mûş representative of the Democratic Unity Initiative, and Nazime Arvas, Co-Chair of the Wan (Van) branch of the Mesopotamian Islamic Research Federation (MIA-FED), who spoke about ecological destruction in the region and the ongoing vigil.

 

Stating that the state is simultaneously pursuing a peace process with Kurds while attacking Kurdish geography, Yafes Dinar said that various energy projects are causing ecological devastation.

 

Expressing support for the resistance in Gimgim, Dinar said: “We will not allow it. We will stand here until the end and support our friends. We will drive out the companies that want to conduct drilling operations here.”

 

Nazime Arvas said that the mentality that destroys nature is the same mentality that destroys human beings, adding: “The people of Gimgim want to continue their lives in a clean environment. We are here with them. Kurds must awaken to these policies and defend their lives.”