SIRNAK
The Turkish government's efforts to transform a district in the country's southeast have yielded fruit after heinous attacks by the PKK terror group.
Reconstruction work was initiated following operations carried out five years ago against PKK terrorists who had dug ditches and set up barricades in Sirnak province’s Cizre district.
The major transformation took place with the work carried out under the leadership of Turkey’s Environment and Urbanization Ministry with the contributions of relevant ministries and institutions.
Wounds wrapped by state
Many schools and mosques were built in the region to replace the ones destroyed by the PKK terror group.
All infrastructure work in the district was completed and Turkey’s government-backed housing agency TOKI built 3,087 residences and 188 workplaces for terror-stricken families with a project cost of over 476 million Turkish liras (US$68 million).
A total of 950 beneficiaries received rental assistance at a cost of over 40 million Turkish liras (US$5.7 million).
In addition, 159 kilometers (98 miles) of road were paved with asphalt and 674,000 square meters of parquet were laid.
Officials' efforts over five years
In Cizre, which was deprived of many municipal services during the period when municipalities were run by the pro-PKK Democratic Regions Party (DBP), projects were implemented by the municipality assigned by the Interior Ministry.
The standard of living increased in Cizre with the activities carried out for the effective use of municipal resources.
Having been deprived of services for years due to terrorism, Cizre experienced a noticeable change with an investment of 474 million Turkish lira (US$68 million) provided by the assigned municipality in a short time.
In the last five years, a 245-kilometer (152-mile) drinking water supply network and 65-kilometer (40-mile) sewage system were also built in the district.
The 2,500-meter Vertical Garden, National Literature House (Kiraathane) and Tigris River Rehabilitation Project were also implemented.
A livestock market was built in the district, 24 parks consisting of 350 decares were established, and a total of 6,500 trees were planted.
A cultural center for women and five new condolence facilities were also built.
Other projects are going on in the district such as restoration of the Ismail Ebu-liz Stone Bridge, museum and shrine, the Culture Road Project, the construction of a new town hall, the Altin Kemer Leisure Center Project and a new cemetery.
One of the residents of Cizre, Serdar Tatar, told Anadolu Agency that with the digging of holes in city centers by the PKK terror group five years ago, people suffered greatly.
"Destruction is terrorism’s business. The state quickly tried to bind up the wounds. Not only did they renovate the city, they also created recreation and sports areas for young people. The government has done what is required," he said.
Thanking all officials, especially President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Tatar pointed out that these investments and efforts in the region should be appreciated.
Elif Izgis from Cizre said that peace was provided in the district and new business areas were opened for women and youth.
"Cizre will now be remembered for peace, sports, culture and history."
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK’s Syrian branch.
