Posted on 03/27/2017 11:53:23 AM PDT by Texas Fossil
Trees destroyed in Turkey's Kurdish province Sirnak, 27 March 2017, (Photo: Evrensel)
Thousands of fruit trees have been destroyed for the “security of the villagers” by local village guards allegedly acting with orders from the local Gendarme Commander in Sirnak province, Turkey’s southeastern Kurdish region, reported the daily Evrensel on Monday.
The trees were cut within the last month in the Besta region of Uludere district, located near the border with Iraq.
The trees are being cut daily in the early hours of the morning by village guards (state paramilitary force) accompanied by soldiers who stand back and do not participate in the destruction of the trees, according to the report.
Officers from the local gendarme demanded that the villagers cut the trees about a month ago and the village guards started to do the cutting after the villagers refused, said Sadun Sezer, the Democratic Regions’ Party (DBP) Balveren district co-chair.
Elders from various villages located in the region went to the gendarme and had a meeting with officers so that they stop the destruction but the gendarme replied that “the trees must be destroyed for their own security,” explained Sezer.
Thousands of walnut, apple, pear and plum trees have already been destroyed but villagers are planning to mobilise to stop further destruction in the area, according to the report.
Thousands of trees and forested areas have been burned down by security forces in previous years to accomodate military operations and limit the mobility of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) fighters.
This is simply punishment for not agreeing with Erdogan the Islamist.
What a horrible act.
Unfortunately, they also drive into towns with tanks and destroy the whole village. And laugh about it.
Turkey Ping
Murder of Fruit Trees now?
Oh NOOOOO!! Tell me it’s not true. /sarc/
bttt
economic terrorism - destroying both a source of food and a source of income. Makes them dependent on the government.
This isn’t about anyone’s security it’s about Erdogan tightening his grip on power.
Sub human behavior. This really hurts me.
Absolutely. Or trying to provoke them into starting something he is itching to do anyway.
Nazi indeed.
There are several varieties unique to that area. This is sad.
I guess salting the fields is next.......................
Under islamic law, it is a war crime to destroy a tree with a green leaf (meaning just this kind of thing).
It looks like a transparent attempt at ethnic cleansing of the area.
Horrible.
I buy dried Turkish apricots at Trader Joe, just excellent, succulent fruit, not cheap but worth every penny. Not sure what part of Turkey they come from. If some other part, I’ll stop buying and contact Trader Joe, ask them to stop too. They’re pretty responsive to customers.
Fructicide.
Erdogan is destroying the food supply to better control and kill the Kurds. If he could get away with it he would kill them all IMO.
In winter they have no green leaves.
But yes, that is exactly what they are doing. And they are not just doing it in Turkey. They cross the border in Syria and bulldoze olive orchards just to show they can.
Do you think they will try that with Ivan setting on a tank in Syria observing them? smile.
Yes, and to make them more angry at him.
I have an orchard. It easily take 10 years before the fruit crop is significant.
If someone cut down my orchard? My action? Need I say I’d be very POed.
What a horrible poke in the eye by Erdogen. F that guy. It’s hard enough to maintain orchards as it is.
Looks like the stumps may still be in place but the wrong time of year to do grafting which would bring fruit the quickest way.
I lost most of 12 acres of apples this last year to fire blight. In my mid 60’s, not an easy age to carry on. At least I have a choice
I hope the Trump Administration sees this for what it is ..... And equals the cheap shot Erdogen took on these farmers.
If Erdogan wins the Referendum on April 16th, he will go for genocide. There is very long history of that in Turkey when there is an Islamist in power. He is already there, but his power is dependent upon his continued/expanded “super powers”.
Turkey will be a valuable addition to the EU. /s
I need not explain to you what this loss is. People who do not have trees or long term crops don’t understand what time invested is.
Thanks for your comment.
The Turks cut down cedar trees in Lebanon when that country was still under the Ottoman empire.
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