The 2016 siege of Sur, also known as the Sur curfew took place as part of the
Kurdish–Turkish conflict in
Sur district of
Diyarbakir in Turkey, lasting for more than 3 months and destroying much of the neighbourhood.
[ Heavy artillery and machine gun fire was utilized][ during clashes in the city involving the ]Turkish army
The Turkish Land Forces () is the main branch of the Turkish Armed Forces responsible for Army, land-based military operations. The army was formed on November 8, 1920, after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Significant campaigns since the ...
and police against the Kurdish militants. At least 25 people had been killed in Sur by early March 2016,[ with rights groups reporting more than 200 killed by the end of the siege on 10 March.][ The HDP party said that most of the casualties were civilians.][
]
Background
In August 2015, local Kurdish politicians announced autonomous self-rule in Sur,autonomy
In developmental psychology and moral, political, and bioethical philosophy, autonomy is the capacity to make an informed, uncoerced decision. Autonomous organizations or institutions are independent or self-governing. Autonomy can also be ...
in the region at the time. Turkish police used plastic bullets, tear gas
Tear gas, also known as a lachrymatory agent or lachrymator (), sometimes colloquially known as "mace" after the Mace (spray), early commercial self-defense spray, is a chemical weapon that stimulates the nerves of the lacrimal gland in the ey ...
and water cannon
A water cannon is a device that shoots a high-velocity stream of water. Typically, a water cannon can deliver a large volume of water, often over dozens of meters. They are used in firefighting, large vehicle washing, riot control, and mining. ...
s against thousands of demonstrators protesting the curfew
A curfew is an order that imposes certain regulations during specified hours. Typically, curfews order all people affected by them to remain indoors during the evening and nighttime hours. Such an order is most often issued by public authorit ...
in Diyarbakır. Daily curfews were imposed on several towns in the region as a result.
Siege
In late February and early March 2016, Turkish police again used plastic bullets, tear gas and water cannons against thousands of demonstrators protesting the curfew in Diyarbakır.[ Human rights groups, NGOs, local trade organisations and EU parliamentarians had asked the Turkish authorities to allow for a 24-hour suspension of the curfew and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor, so that civilians still trapped inside embattled parts of Sur can safely be evacuated. Diyarbakır's governor agreed to suspend fire for one and a half hours on consecutive days in the city, during which the police used loudspeakers to demand everyone still living amid the ruined buildings to surrender, but many feared the consequences of surrendering.][
]
Outcome
A report by Turkey's main opposition, the Republican People's Party
The Republican People's Party (RPP; , CHP ) is a Kemalism, Kemalist and Social democracy, social democratic political party in Turkey. It is the oldest List of political parties in Turkey, political party in Turkey, founded by Mustafa Kemal ...
, revealed that by late February 2016 about 80% of all buildings inside the Sur curfew zone had been destroyed, and that most people had left even the intact parts of the neighbourhood for fear of the violence.[ At least 25 people were killed in the siege of Sur,][ with rights groups claiming the death toll at more than 200.][ The HDP party claimed that most of the casualties in Sur were civilians.][
]
See also
* Siege of Silvan (2015)
* 2015 Diyarbakır rally bombing
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sur 2015–2016
Kurdish–Turkish conflict (2015–present)
2015 in Turkey
2016 in Turkey
2010s in Diyarbakır
Sieges involving Turkey
2010s sieges
Battles in 2016
Battles in 2015
Military history of Diyarbakır
December 2015 in Turkey
January 2016 in Turkey
February 2016 in Turkey
March 2016 in Turkey