Curfew in Cizre and Silopi

According to CNN Turk’s report, Governor of Şırnak Ali İhsan Su declared that a curfew will start tonight at 23.00 in Cizre and Silopi and it won’t be lifted until further notice.

Here is the statement from the governorship: “A curfew will start on December 14 at 23.00 in Cizre and Silopi in order to catch the members of the separatist terrorist organization, remove the barricades and ditches which are loaded with explosives and mines by terrorists and restore the security of life and property and the order.”

3000 teachers left the provinces

The Directorate of Education sent a SMS to teachers in Cizre and Silopi and about 3000 teachers left the provinces of Şırnak. In the SMS, it is stated that the teachers should leave Cizre and Silopi on December 14 in order to attend vocational training seminars.

There are 43.127 students in Silopi and Cizre and the education will be interrupted for an undetermined period of time.

By this time, curfews declared four times in Cizre and once in Silopi.

Reaction from Education and Science Workers' Union of Turkey (EĞİTİM-SEN)

Chair of EĞİTİM-SEN Silopi Branch Metin Alan stated that over 1000 teachers left the province during the day. He added that, according to the official procedure, vocational training seminars are planned annually and declared on official websites, but this year, the Directorate of Education hasn’t abided by this procedure. 

Alan claimed that this decision serves for the war policy:

“According to the information we received from the Directorate of Education, that SMS has nothing to do with training. In our opinion, this is a preliminary preparation to the curfews.  They want teachers to leave the province. With this decision, Directorate of Education serves for the war policy.