10.02.2023
After the devastating earthquake in the Turkish-Syrian border area, the PKK decided not to carry out operations “as long as the Turkish state does not attack us.” Is there a radical transformation of a four-decade-old conflict that has caused the death of tens of thousands of civilians and security personnel?
announce Kurdistan workers’ party Banned Friday (February 10, 2023) Temporarily suspending its “operations” in Turkey After the devastating earthquake Which struck the country and Syria, according to a military official from the party.
The Firat news agency, which is close to the party – which Ankara considers a terrorist organization – quoted its leader, Cemil Bayek, as saying, “We call on all our forces involved in military actions: stop military operations in Turkey, in capitals and cities.” He added, “We decided not to carry out any operation as long as the Turkish state did not attack us.”
Since 1984, the party has been waging a rebellion against the Turkish state, killing tens of thousands of civilians and security forces. Ankara is also seeking to party ban Raisi of the opposition is pro-Kurdish, due to his alleged links to the party.
But the earthquake that occurred on Monday redrawn the political landscape. It hit a multi-ethnic region that witnessed a number of fierce battles between government forces and Hezbollah fighters.
Bayiq said the suspension of fighting would continue “until the pain of our people subsides and their wounds heal.” “The earthquake caused a huge disaster. Thousands of our people are under the rubble. Everyone must mobilize all their capabilities,” he added. He continued, “Certainly, the position of the Turkish state will be decisive in our decision.”
Turkish officials did not comment on Bayek’s statements, until the time of preparing this news.
“It is too early to know the outcome.”
“It is still not clear whether Ankara will take advantage of this announcement to press for de-escalation,” said Berkay Manderagi, a senior analyst on Turkey at the International Crisis Group.
But he added that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan might benefit from a military de-escalation amid a humanitarian crisis. “It may give a de-escalation in the conflict with… Kurdistan workers’ party The authorities, struggling to find the right way to respond to this unprecedented crisis, have one less thing to worry about. “It is too early to know whether the earthquake will subsequently lead to radical shifts in the PKK struggle in Turkey.”
“Everyone, especially democratic institutions, must act” to help the region’s recovery, said Bayik of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). “Everyone must move to extricate our people from the rubble,” he added.
In December, a bomb explosion targeting a police armored vehicle in southeastern Turkey injured nine people. A month later, six people were killed bombing in Istanbul Ankara blamed the PKK.
A.H./S.U. (AFP)
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Erzincan earthquake – Turkey
In 1939, Turkey witnessed a devastating earthquake that struck the province of Erzincan, east of the country, on December 27. This earthquake is the most violent earthquake to hit Turkey over the course of about four centuries. It had a magnitude of 7.8 on the Richter scale, killing about 33,000 people. This devastating earthquake occurred at one o’clock in the morning and led to the complete demolition of the old city.
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Idols earthquake – Algeria
It took place in October 1980 in the city of idols (currently Chlef) in northern Algeria. The earthquake is the worst in Algeria over the past century. It had a magnitude of 7.3. It left more than 10,000 dead and hundreds of thousands wounded. It occurred at one o’clock in the afternoon and is considered the strongest in the earthquakes of the southern region of the Mediterranean over two centuries.
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Rudbar/Manjil earthquake – Iran
It hit Rudbar province in the north of the country in the summer of 1990, specifically the cities of Rudbar and Mengele. It had a magnitude of 7.4. The death toll was huge, estimated between 35 and 50 thousand, as well as tens of thousands injured and homeless. It occurred shortly after midnight and caused great damage. It is the deadliest earthquake in Iran’s history over the past century.
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Izmit earthquake – Turkey
It took place in 1999 in Izmid, the capital of Kocaeli Province, in the northwest of the country. Also known as the Marmara earthquake. It killed about 18,000 people, while other sources say the number is higher. The earthquake occurred at 3 am and had a magnitude of 7.6. This led to a massive fire in the oil refinery, which led to the request for international assistance and a major impact on the Turkish economy.
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Boumerdes earthquake – Algeria
It took place in the far north of Algeria in May 2003, in Boumerdes and Algiers. It had a magnitude of 6.8 and left between 2,000 and 3,000 dead, as well as hundreds of wounded. Signed at seven in the evening. The repercussions of the earthquake reached the capital, Algiers, and led to the complete demolition of thousands of buildings, prompting the Algerian authorities to change building codes in several regions.
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Bam earthquake – Iran
Iran has suffered many earthquakes in the past decades, the number of serious ones has reached seven. One of the most dangerous was the Bam earthquake in southern Iran in December 2003. It had a magnitude of 6.6 and the death toll reached 34,000, many of them children. It occurred at five in the morning and caused massive damage to the infrastructure, especially schools and hospitals.
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Al Hoceima earthquake – Morocco
Signed in February 2004 at two o’clock in the morning. It caused the death of about 630 people and hundreds of injuries, as well as the destruction of several properties. Al Hoceima is located in northern Morocco, and damage has reached small villages and towns. It had a magnitude of 6.3.
From Iran to Morocco… the history of the worst earthquakes in the region
Kahramanmaraş earthquake – Turkey and Syria
It struck southern Turkey and northern Syria on the night of February 6, 2023, at four in the morning. So far, more than 17,000 people have been killed. It happened specifically in western Turkish Gaziantep. The scale of the tragedy was exacerbated by the repercussions of the Syrian civil war, which made it difficult to deliver aid and rescue teams, especially to opposition areas. Its degree reached 7.8 degrees, which made residents of neighboring countries feel it.
