Kurdish villages depopulated by Turkey
The number of Kurdish villages depopulated by Turkey is estimated at around 3,000. Since 1984, the Turkish military has embarked on a campaign to eradicate the Kurdistan Workers Party; by the year 2000, some 30,000 people had died and two million Kurdish refugees had been driven out of their homes into cities.[1][2]
Background
[edit]Until the 1970s, about 70% of the Kurdish population of Turkish Kurdistan inhabited one of the approximately 20,000 Kurdish villages.[3] But by 1985, only 58% of the population were still living in the rural areas and much of the countryside in Kurdish populated regions had been depopulated by the Turkish government,[3] with Kurdish civilians moving to local centers such as Diyarbakır, Van, and Şırnak, as well as to the cities of western Turkey and even to western Europe. The causes of the depopulation were in most cases the Turkish state's military operations and to a lesser extent attacks by the PKK on villages it deemed defended by collaborators of the Turkish Government.[3] Often Kurds had to decide whether to become a member of the state-sponsored Village Guards, be deported or else they could face attacks by the PKK.[4] Human Rights Watch has documented many instances where the Turkish military forcibly evacuated villages, destroying houses and equipment to prevent the return of the inhabitants.[4] An estimated 3,000 Kurdish villages in Southeast Anatolia[3] were virtually wiped from the map, representing the displacement of more than 378,000 people.[4] During the 1990s, the Turkish military reportedly deployed the US manufactured helicopters Sikorsky and Cobra to drive out the Kurdish population from the villages.[5]
Depopulated and demolished towns and villages
[edit]According to the Humanitarian Law Project, 2,400 Kurdish villages have been destroyed and 18,000 Kurds have been executed by the Turkish government. Other estimates have put the number of destroyed Kurdish villages at over 4,000. In total, up to 3,000,000 people (mainly Kurds) have been displaced.[6]
The Kurdish Human Rights Project divides the depopulation (evacuation) of villages in 5 phases.[7]
- The initial phase between 1985 and 1989
- The phase of centralization during 1990–1991
- the phase of the systematic village evacuation between 1992 and 1993
- the phase of the escalation of the village evacuation in 1994
- between 1995 and 2001, further villages were depopulated
An estimated 1,000,000 people are still internally displaced as of 2009[update].[8]
Timeline
[edit]This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (January 2022) |
1992
[edit]- November – Kelekçi village destruction
Government compensation
[edit]The Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre stated in 2009 that the Turkish government has taken "notable" steps to address the internal displacement situation. These include commissioning a national survey on the number and conditions of IDPs, drafting a national IDP strategy, adopting law on compensation, and putting together a comprehensive pilot action plan in Van Province and 13 other south-eastern provinces addressing rural and urban situations of displacement.[8]
Depopulated villages (as of 2023)
[edit]List of villages which have been depopulated as of 2023:[9]
Province | District | Village | Province | District | Village | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Şırnak Province | Beytüşşebap | Dilekyolu | Hakkari | Şemdinli | Ayranlı | |
Dönmezler | Çevre | |||||
Kovankaya (Assyrian) | Meşelik | |||||
Tuzluca | Yüksekova | Ikiyaka | ||||
Yenice | Yazılı | |||||
Cizre | Aşağıdere | Pirinçeken | ||||
Güçlükonak | Bulmuşlar | Çukurca | Çağlayan | |||
Çetinkaya | Çayırlı | |||||
Erdurdu | Çınarlı | |||||
Eskikapı | Dede | |||||
Kırkağaç | Işıklı | |||||
Özbaşoğlu | Kavaklı | |||||
Yenidemir | Kavuşak | |||||
İdil | Ozan | Kurudere | ||||
Yaylaköy | Siirt | Eruh | Narlıdere | |||
Silopi | Ballıkaya | Pervari | Medrese | |||
Derebaşı | Bitlis | Bitlis | Esenburun | |||
Düzalan | Batman | Hasankeyf | Gaziler | |||
Karacaköy | Bingöl | Adaklı | Maltepe | |||
Koyunören | Kiğı | Çomak | ||||
Uyanık | Mardin | Dargeçit | Ormaniçi | |||
Yazıköy | Nusaybin | Değirmencik | ||||
Şırnak | Alkemer | Kaleli | ||||
Anılmış | Ömerli | Dönërdere | ||||
Boyunkaya | ||||||
Çadırlı | ||||||
Çakırsöğüt | ||||||
Güleşli | ||||||
Günedoğmuş | ||||||
İnceler | ||||||
Kapanlı | ||||||
Karageçit | ||||||
Kemerli | ||||||
Koçağılı | ||||||
Kuşkonar | ||||||
Seslice | ||||||
Tekçınar | ||||||
Üçkıraz | ||||||
Uludere | Akduman | |||||
Doğan | ||||||
Onbudak |
Villages repopulated after 2007
[edit]List of villages that have been repopulated after 2007:
Province | District | Village | Info |
---|---|---|---|
Batman | Gercüş | Cevizli | Unpopulated until 2016[9] |
Kozluk | Kolludere | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Hasankeyf | Palamut | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Bingöl | Yedisu | Akımlı | Unpopulated until 2014[9] |
Yayladere | Alınyazı | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Kiğı | Baklalı | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Yayladere | Bilekkaya | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Yayladere | Boğazköy | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Adaklı | Cevizli | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Yayladere | Çatalkaya | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Yayladere | Gökçedal | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Kiğı | İlbeyi | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Yayladere | Kırköy | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Kiğı | Kutluca | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Yayladere | Yavuztaş | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Kiğı | Yukarıserinyer | Unpopulated until 2012[9] | |
Bitlis | Tatvan | Anadere | Unpopulated until 2010[9] |
Bitlis | Aşağıbalcılar | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Tatvan | Çavuşlar | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Bitlis | Ilıcak | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Bitlis | Kayalıbağ | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Bitlis | Kınalı | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Tatvan | Odabaşı | Unpopulated until 2012[9] | |
Bitlis | Oğulcak | Unpopulated until 2022[9] | |
Bitlis | Sarpkaya | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Bitlis | Uçankuş | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Bitlis | Üçevler | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Diyarbakır | Ergani | Devletkuşu | Unpopulated until 2009[9] |
Çınar | Gürses | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Ergani | Kavurmaküpü | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Dicle | Kırkpınar | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Dicle | Kurşunlu | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Bismil | Kurudeğirmen | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Dicle | Taşağıl | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Lice | Yolçatı | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Erzurum | Hınıs | Ilıcaköy | Unpopulated until 2010[9] |
Hakkari | Hakkari | Aksu | Unpopulated until 2015[9] |
Çukurca | Cevizli | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Çukurca | Kazan | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Yüksekova | Sürekli | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Hakkari | Yoncalı | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Iğdır | Aralık | Tarlabaşı | Unpopulated until 2022[9] |
Mardin | Dargeçit | Akçaköy | Unpopulated until 2010[9] |
Derik | Bağarası | Unpopulated until 2023[9] | |
Dargeçit | Çavuşlu | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Dargeçit | Korucu | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Dargeçit | Kumdere | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Dargeçit | Kuşluca | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Midyat | Oyuklu | Unpopulated until 2012[9] | |
Nusaybin | Pazarköy | Unpopulated until 2016[9] | |
Nusaybin | Tekağaç | Unpopulated until 2022[9] | |
Ömerli | Topağaç | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Dargeçit | Ulaş | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Midyat | Yenice | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Siirt | Eruh | Akmeşe | Unpopulated until 2014[9] |
Siirt | Bağlıca | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Eruh | Bingöl | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Şirvan | Cevizdalı | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Eruh | Kovanağzı | Unpopulated until 2023[9] | |
Siirt | Yazlıca | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Eruh | Yanılmaz | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Şırnak | Güçlükonak | Ağaçyurdu | Unpopulated until 2014[9] |
Silopi | Aksu (Assyrian) | Unpopulated until 2019[9] | |
Şırnak | Atbaşı | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Şırnak | Bağpınar | Unpopulated until 2018[9] | |
Güçlükonak | Demirboğaz | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Beytüşşebap | Doğanyol | Unpopulated until 2016[9] | |
Şırnak | Kırkkuyu | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Şırnak | Körüklükaya | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Silopi | Kösreli (Assyrian) | Unpopulated until 2015[9] | |
İdil | Mağaraköy | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Güçlükonak | Taşkonak | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Beytüşşebap | Toptepe | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Silopi | Selçik | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Silopi | Yolağzı | Unpopulated until 2019[9] | |
Şırnak | Cevizdüzü | Unpopulated until 2023[9] | |
Tunceli | Ovacık | Ağaçpınar | Unpopulated until 2011[9] |
Pülümür | Ağaşenliği | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Pülümür | Akdik | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Ovacık | Aktaş | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Pülümür | Altınhüseyin | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Ovacık | Aşlıca | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Tunceli | Babaocağı | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Ovacık | Bilekli | Unpopulated until 2015[9] | |
Ovacık | Bilgeç | Unpopulated until 2018[9] | |
Hozat | Boydaş | Unpopulated until 2018[9] | |
Ovacık | Buzlutepe | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Pülümür | Çağlayan | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Tunceli | Çalkıran | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Ovacık | Çambulak | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Ovacık | Çatköy | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Ovacık | Çayüstü | Unpopulated until 2012[9] | |
Tunceli | Dikenli | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Tunceli | Dilek | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Nazımiye | Doğantaş | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Ovacık | Doludibek | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Pülümür | Efeağılı | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Ovacık | Eğimli | Unpopulated until 2012[9] | |
Ovacık | Eğrikavak | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Tunceli | Eğriyamaç | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Ovacık | Elgazi | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Ovacık | Eskigedik | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Ovacık | Garipuşağı | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Tunceli | Gözen | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Ovacık | Halitpınar | Unpopulated until 2015[9] | |
Ovacık | Işıkvuran | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Ovacık | Karataş | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Pülümür | Kaymaztepe | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Hozat | Kızılmescit | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Ovacık | Koruköy | Unpopulated until 2018[9] | |
Hozat | Kozluca | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Hozat | Kurukaymak | Unpopulated until 2022[9] | |
Ovacık | Kuşluca | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Ovacık | Otlubahçe | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Tunceli | Pınar | Unpopulated until 2008[9] | |
Ovacık | Şahverdi | Unpopulated until 2012[9] | |
Pülümür | Şampaşakaraderbendi | Unpopulated until 2009[9] | |
Ovacık | Tepsili | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Ovacık | Yakatarla | Unpopulated until 2011[9] | |
Ovacık | Yalmanlar | Unpopulated until 2013[9] | |
Ovacık | Yarımkaya | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Ovacık | Yoğunçam | Unpopulated until 2014[9] | |
Hozat | Yüceldi | Unpopulated until 2010[9] | |
Van | Gürpınar | Bükeç | Unpopulated until 2009[9] |
See also
[edit]- Kurds in Turkey
- Kurdish villages destroyed during the Iraqi Arabization campaign
- December 2015–February 2016 Cizre curfew
References
[edit]- ^ Ferhad Ibrahim, Gülistan Gürbey. The Kurdish conflict in Turkey: obstacles and chances for peace and democracy, Palgrave Macmillan, 2000. pg. 167. ISBN 0-312-23629-8
- ^ Dahlman, Carl. The Political Geography of Kurdistan Archived 2008-10-03 at the Wayback Machine pg. 11
- ^ a b c d O'Shea, Maria T. (2004). Trapped Between the Map and Reality: Geography and Perceptions of Kurdistan. Routledge. p. 160. ISBN 978-0-415-94766-4.
- ^ a b c "Still critical". Human Rights Watch. March 2005. p. 3. Retrieved 2007-09-12.
- ^ McKiernan, Kevin (1999-03-01). "Turkey's War on the Kurds". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. 55 (2): 26–37. doi:10.2968/055002008. ISSN 0096-3402.
- ^ Gunter, Michael M. (1998-09-01). "An Interview with the PKK's Ocalan". Journal of Conflict Studies. ISSN 1715-5673.
- ^ Jongerden, Joost (2007-05-28). The Settlement Issue in Turkey and the Kurds: An Analysis of Spatial Policies, Modernity and War. BRILL. p. 82. ISBN 978-90-474-2011-8.
- ^ a b Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) – Norwegian Refugee Council. "Need for continued improvement in response to protracted displacement". Internal-displacement.org. Archived from the original on 31 January 2011. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn bo bp bq br bs bt bu bv bw bx by bz ca cb cc cd ce cf cg ch ci cj ck cl cm cn co cp cq cr cs ct cu cv cw cx cy cz da db dc dd de df dg dh di dj dk dl dm dn do dp dq dr ds dt du "Address Based Population Registration System Results". Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu (in Turkish). Retrieved 15 February 2023.