NEWS CENTER - Makhmur Camp People's Assembly Co-chair Pakistan Bilen stated that in line with Turkey's demand, the camp is closed with wire fences and that the people are standing against this.

 

Iraqi forces want to close the area around the Makhmur Refugee Camp, which was established by the United Nations (UN) in 1998 near the Makhmur district of the Mosul province of Iraq. Approximately 12 thousand people live in Makhmur camp which is now closed with wire fences. Most of the citizens who had to migrate due to the "security policies" implemented by Turkey from Şırnak and Hakkari in the 90s live in the Makhmur Camp. Citizens protested the shelling of the camp by Armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (SİHA) belonging to Turkey and the attempts to close the camp with wire fences. 

 

'THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE'

 

Reminding that the Iraqi Government wants to close the camp with wire fences, Pakistan Bilen, the co-chair of the Mahmur Camp People's Assembly, pointed out that such an issue has never been on the agenda in their meetings with the Iraqi government. Stating that it is not acceptable to close the camp with wire fences, Bilen said, "They want to turn our camp into an open prison." Underlining that this was an attempt instructed by Turkey, Bilen said: "They are doing this on the demand of Turkey. We had a meeting with the Iraqi officials about this issue. The people living in the camp will not allow the camp to be closed with wire fences.

 

A SIT IN WAS LAUNCHED

 

Stating that they set up tents and have been keeping watch not to allow the Iraqi forces to wire fence the camp, Bilen said: "Our sit in will continue until the Iraqi Government returns from this wrong decision."