Returnees face ruins in southeastern Turkey

Some people internally displaced from Yüksekova town due to the operations against the PKK threat found devastation when they returned home after the curfew in the area was temporarily lifted.

Dozens of people who fled to nearby provinces from Yüksekova town due to the PKK threat began returning after authorities announced that the curfew will be partially lifted as of 6 a.m. on May 30.

The governor's office said that the curfew would be partially lifted in central areas of town, its rural part, Çimenli, and Vezirli village from 6 am to 8 pm every day.

The curfew had been imposed on March 13 as part of a cleaning operation to remove PKK barricades, fill ditches dug by PKK and ensure peace and public order.

Dozens have already returned and there are still some others preparing to return to Yüksekova, where the authorities ended anti-terror raids on April 21. A kilometres-long queue of cars appeared on the highway leading to Yüksekova, hours before the curfew was lifted.

Gendarmerie stopped cars on the drive back to town at a security check point in Yeniköprü, 40 kilometres from Yüksekova, and asked for identity cards before residents were allowed to have access to the town since early morning. Police forces warned returnees of PKK bomb traps.

All returnees are bracing themselves for an uphill struggle. Almost all the buildings in the town were either partially destroyed or completely ruined. Even a damaged mosque bears witness to the extensive destruction. Some residents were seen crying for the ruins. Local tradesmen opened their stores and began cleaning the ruins.

Meanwhile, officials joined forces to repair buildings which were badly damaged. Crews began fixing power lines and water pipes damaged in the terror attacks. Food and water have been delivered to returnees in an effort coordinated by the town governor's office. Offices have been set up temporarily to help residents identify damage to their properties.