Efkan Ala: Operations Ended in Cizre, Curfew Continues

Click here to read the article in Turkish / Haberin Türkçesi için buraya tıklayın. 

Interior Minister Efkan Ala has announced that the operations have been completed in Cizre.

According to the report of state-run Anadolu (Anatolian) Agency (AA), Ala has made a statement to the journalists after his visit to Yeni Akit daily.

“Today (February 11) the operations have just been completed successfully in Cizre. But there still will be searchings in the future. The curfews will also be maintained like in Silopi for a certain period of time.

“Because there are still traps and there might also mines in some regions which could harm our people. Again, closing the ditches and clearing away the barricades may take some time. But as of this noon, these obstacles have been removed, meaning the terrorists and the control of the region has been taken over.

“The curfew will be maintained  for some time for being able to continue the searchings and taking measures which are necessary to provide security for our citizens in order to prevent them from getting harmed when they come to the region. Operational activities have been completed as of this noon”.

78 civilians killed in 59 days

The curfew still continues in Cizre since December 14, 2015. According to the data from Human Rights Foundation of Turkey, 78 civilians have lost their lives within this time. (BK/DG)